Purchasing new kitchen cabinets is a major investment. So you want to make sure the work is done right. But how can you be sure you’re hiring a good contractor to build and install your cabinets? By asking the right questions! Here are six questions to ask before choosing a kitchen cabinet contractor.
1. Can You Provide Your License Number?
Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who make promises they don’t deliver. Asking for a contractor’s license number is a good way to weed them out. If a contractor won’t provide a license number, steer clear. They likely don’t have one at all.
On the other hand, a reputable contractor should be ready and willing to share their license number. Not only does this give you confidence that the contractor is legitimate, but it also gives you the ability to check whether there have been any recent complaints against the contractor, too. Just reach out to your state’s consumer affairs department to check that the contractor is in good standing.
2. Do You Have Insurance?
The second question you should always ask a potential contractor is whether they have insurance. The last thing you want is to make a pricey kitchen cabinet investment only to have something go wrong and learn your contractor isn’t insured. Asking about insurance potentially saves you from trouble later.
A good contractor should carry liability insurance, automobile insurance, and workman’s compensation insurance (if they have employees). This both protects your investment and shields you from liability for accidents, injuries, and public property damage. Never hire a contractor who is uninsured.
3. What’s Your Wait Time, and How Many Current Projects Do You Have?
It’s natural to be excited for your kitchen remodel to start. You want your new cabinets as soon as possible! But it’s not always a good sign if a contractor is available to work on your project right away. After all, a busy contractor is probably popular for a reason!
So ask about typical wait times and how many projects the contractor currently has going on. It’ll give you an idea of how in-demand the contractor’s services are. And you’ll have a better idea of how long you have to prepare for your kitchen renovation to begin.
4. How Does the Installation Process Work?
If you’ve never had new kitchen cabinets installed, you probably don’t know what the process involves. So ask the contractor how their process works. Be sure to ask about what you can expect, how long your kitchen will be unavailable, and how the contractor will keep in contact with you.
Understanding what to expect from the kitchen cabinet installation process allows you to plan around the work that’s going on. And it gives you a realistic idea of what to expect. And with everyone on the same page, the process is much more likely to progress smoothly.
5. Do You Offer a Warranty?
Installing new kitchen cabinets is a great way to improve both your home’s aesthetic and its resale value. So it’s typically a sound investment. But what happens when it’s not? Since kitchen cabinets cost a significant amount of money, you should always ask whether a contractor offers a warranty.
No one can protect against unforeseen accidents or misuse of your new cabinets. So if your 10-year-old son and his friend ruin your cabinets with frequent water fights in the kitchen, that’s not covered. But your contractor should offer a warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship for a certain amount of time to protect your investment. Here at Edgewood Cabinetry, for example, we warranty our cabinets for five years if they fail under normal use due to defects in workmanship or materials.
Hiring a contractor to build and install new kitchen cabinets is a big decision. Asking these five questions will help you choose a reputable one.
Would you like to learn more about whether Edgewood Cabinetry is a good fit for you? We’re happy to answer your questions and give you a free quote. Just drop us a line, and we’ll be in touch soon!
