Are you planning on undertaking a kitchen renovation? You’ll want to look into the services of a kitchen renovation contractor.

A kitchen renovation contractor will guide your home improvement project from start to finish. They’ll manage the renovations’ budget, hire necessary subcontractors, and ensure the project is completed on time and up to standard. 

At Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, we are experts in all things custom cabinetry, and in turn, we work closely with kitchen renovation contractors all the time. In light of this experience, we understand how important it is to find the right contractor for your kitchen renovation.

This article will outline important factors to consider to ensure you choose the best kitchen renovation contractor for your home’s unique needs.

Let’s get started!

1. Know What Services You Need From A Kitchen Contractor

The first step in mapping out your future kitchen design is understanding everything you need. This process can significantly benefit from the assistance of a kitchen design specialist. You can work with them to discuss the details of your renovation and nail down the essential elements of your kitchen design.

With this, it’s also important to know what you need out of a kitchen renovation contractor before you begin looking for one. Are you just giving your kitchen a facelift, with new cabinets, appliances, and some fresh paint on the walls?

Or maybe you’re going with a totally new design from your current kitchen: adding a centre island, moving plumbing, electrical, or HVAC around which could include removing walls. These are bigger projects that will require additional specialists and it’s crucial that the contractor you select is able to complete the work required. 

Once you’ve determined the scope and rough design of your project, you’ll know what services you need from a prospective kitchen contractor. Not all kitchen renovators are the same. Make sure you know and understand their services by being clear on what they will or won’t be able to provide. 

Some kitchen remodelers may specialize in exactly the services you need. Others may not be right for you if you’re considering large, structural changes to your home. If you’re doing a complete overhaul, you may want to consider the services of a general contractor.

Larger kitchen renovations could benefit from general contractors. A general contractor differs from a kitchen renovation contractor in terms of the magnitude of the project. General contractors routinely work with complete home construction, whereas kitchen renovators will specialize solely on kitchens. 

It never hurts to consider general contractors for your kitchen renovation, especially if any add-ons or structural alterations are being made. Some kitchen contractors can accomplish this, but if you are having trouble finding kitchen-focused contractors capable of completing your larger kitchen remodel, consider a general contractor. 

2. Begin Looking For A Kitchen Contractor

The best way to begin looking for a kitchen renovation contractor is to ask around! 

Be open to referrals from friends or coworkers. Maybe a neighbour down the street recently had their kitchen redone and you’re curious about what company they used. It never hurts to learn about others' experiences with contractors when you’re considering a kitchen renovation. 

If you’re working with a kitchen designer, be sure you ask your kitchen designer for reputable referrals as well. They will no doubt have a few quality recommendations for reputable contractors!

Then do some digging of your own. Check out the yellow pages or google contractors near you. Home Advisor is always a good place to start online. If you want to dig a little deeper, check out Houzz’s Find Professionals page to narrow down and compare contractors within your area.

While these tools are helpful, sifting through the yellow pages or sourcing websites online for a trustworthy contractor is a tall order. Here are a few foundational questions to keep in mind while you hunt down the right person:

•       Are they licensed?
•       Are they insured?
•       Do they provide a detailed timeline?
•       Does their quote break down labour and material costs?
•       Do they have positive recommendations?
•       Do they have photos of their past work to show you?

Make sure your prospective contractors answer these questions with a “yes” before proceeding any further with them. 

3. Look At Their Previous Kitchen Projects

Examining a kitchen contractor’s previous projects is a good way to know what to expect from them. You can see if they have projects that fit your style, or maybe just check if their previous projects are up to par in terms of the quality that you desire. It’s important you know what to expect in terms of the finished outcome!

Renovating a kitchen is not like purchasing a product like a car or a couch. With those, you’ll be purchasing a specific model and know exactly what you’re getting. A kitchen renovation, on the other hand, is a multi-step process. There are a number of moving parts involved in a renovation in order to achieve the final product. 

Inspecting a kitchen contractor’s previous projects is a great way to determine if their work ethic, style, and quality will mesh well with your vision! 

4. Ask For Estimates 

At Deslaurier, we know how pricey kitchen renovations can get. 

Getting estimated quotes is a crucial part of understanding what elements of your kitchen design fit your budget, and which ones you may need to scrap. 

To get the most accurate estimate possible, schedule several potential contractors to visit your home and inspect your kitchen. This will allow them to take their necessary measurements and will also provide a good opportunity for you to tell them exactly what you want for your new kitchen. 

Do you know your new kitchen needs a spacious custom island? Do you have the perfect farmhouse kitchen sink picked out? Be as specific as possible with your must-have products, details, and design elements. That way, your contractor’s estimate can be as accurate as possible. 

A general contractor’s labour will also be included in their estimate. Since they are responsible for the entire project from start to finish, they do not come cheap. 

Pricing for a kitchen renovator’s services can be tricky, as some contractors will charge by the hour while others who are managing larger, long-term projects will typically charge a percentage of the total construction project cost. 

Generally speaking, expect to pay anywhere from 10% to 20% of your total expenses for a general contractor to manage your home improvement project. Larger, more prestigious projects may even require 25% of the project's total cost to be spent on a general contractor’s services. 

Depending on the contractor, or the size of the renovation, they may charge you by the hour or day, rather than a percentage of the project’s overall cost. If this is the case, expect to pay roughly $300-$500 a day, as well as the cost of their employees or labourers, which will be anywhere from $150-$250 per day. 

Always ask for an estimated quote from any potential contractors you consider! 

5. Does Their Schedule Fit Your Preferred Timeline?

When it comes to successful kitchen renovations, timelines are crucial. 

It’s important to be on the same schedule. The last thing you want is to be waiting weeks or even months for your renovation to finally begin. 

Your options may be limited if you are in a hurry to complete your renovation. If your renovation schedule is rushed, not every contractor will be available to complete your project within that allotted timeline. 

Conversely, one contractor might provide an estimated completion date 2 or 3 weeks sooner than another option. Having your kitchen under construction is extremely inconvenient, especially with young kids or large families. In this case, going with a contractor with a quicker completion date might be ideal for you.

6. Make Your Selection

Now it’s time to examine your prospective kitchen renovation contractors and make a decision!  

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential contractors, it’s time to weigh them against one another. Compare their services, reputations and client reviews, previous projects, their estimates as well as how their future schedule aligns with your project. 

Focus on the vital characteristics you need from a kitchen renovator. If one kitchen contractor doesn’t offer a service you know your design will need, that’s a good way to eliminate them from contention. 

Maybe one contractor offers a more reasonable price, but their scheduled timeline isn’t as soon as you’d like, while another contractor provides immediate and expedient service, but at a higher price point. 

You’ll have to weigh those alternatives and see if you’d rather a longer delay for a cheaper renovation, or the kitchen of your dreams at a slightly higher expense. Ultimately, your decision comes down to what factors you value most and your determined kitchen renovation contractor should reflect those needs. 

Discover Deslaurier Custom Cabinets

After reading this article, you should now know the main factors and considerations to analyze when selecting a kitchen renovation contractor. 

If you have your eye on custom cabinetry for your kitchen renovation, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets has everything you need! With more than 40 years of quality craftsmanship, we provide our clients with a wholly customized design process with our talented team of designers.

Book a free consultation today and meet with one of our Deslaurier design experts in our Ottawa showroom!