Can you trust the information you see on Google on finding a Contractor?
The answer is no. When it comes to protecting your family and your home, you need to do the homework yourself. Selecting your contractor is the key to the success of your remodeling project. Even the highest quality products will not protect your remodel if a poor quality installation job nullifies your warranties and damages your new appliances. In example if the refrigerator line is not correctly installed, you may find yourself replacing the floor, the refrigerator and any other items ruined by the water damage. So make sure you take the following simple steps to ensure the contractor you select is one you can trust:
1) California License Check.
It is really easy to find out if your Contractor is a professional by looking up their License number at the CA Contractors License look-up online. If you find the License number provided is not associated with the individual you are hiring or their firm, find out why? There are individuals who use another Contractor’s number since they are not licensed themselves. Unfortunately, if you should have a problem with their work or if there is an injury on the job, you can find yourself unprotected and holding the bag on costs. Their license should also note the number of employees (some use sub-contractors) as well as if they carry Workers Compensation to protect you from any claims for injuries on the job.
2) Experience.
Remember a kitchen is a long term investment, so if you want yours to still be working in the future, make s
ure the Contractor you hire has the experience to install it correctly. Check their answers out by calling past customers and seeing their work at one of their job sites. Also when you check them out online and look at their history, see how long they have been in business under the same Company name they provide you. If the company name is different, find out why. Contractors who go out of business, go bankrupt or lose their license, will change the company name and start over. So confirm your contractor is someone with a history of sticking around and handling problems that come up after the job is done.
3) The Devil Is In The Details-Make Sure There Are Details in Your Estimate.
Every remodeling job has some surprises. The floor is not level, (the windows were not waterproofed, the power or water line are worn or clogged…). So it is key that the information provided with the Contractor’s estimate is detailed and lets you know what is included and what is not. A reputable and experienced contractor wants you to know what you are getting for their estimate and what is not covered —so there are no surprises. In addition, an experienced Contractor knows what to look for to anticipate problems before the estimate so the homeowner is not surprised after the work has begun. Less experienced installers will provide you with a low price and then add in more items after they start the job, once your walls are open and your options are few. When it comes to Contractor estimates remember, the lowest bid is often not the most accurate. Check the details for an apples to apples comparison and ask the lower cost Contractor to include those other items in their price. A lower estimate is often an incomplete estimate. If so, select the Contractor that was the most honest from the start.
For a list of installers our clients use in your area, call our showroom. However do not stop there. Our list contains companies who have worked with our company and our customers in the past. You should still check their references and see their work to make sure that the quality is in line with your expectations.
Before hiring a contractor you will want to have a kitchen plan that helps the contractor know what work will be necessary to deliver the kitchen you have in mind. To explore your options, make an appointment with a professional kitchen designer at The Kitchen Warehouse by calling 888-248-3678, or visit their website at The Kitchen Warehouse in Los Angeles.
