7 Things Kitchen Remodeling Contractors Won’t Tell You
If you love your daily meals, your kitchen is going to be the only place you are going to see yourself spending the most time in. With time, kitchens require remodeling as well just like the other areas of the house. This could be due to a shortage of space, repairs and replacements, or simply because you want to change the visual appeal by performing kitchen remodeling. Regardless of the purpose, you should be prepared and know what the process entails instead of relying on the contractor. Unless you are willing to spend additional money tearing down the walls and floors for minor fixes, you should know what the contractor knows but won’t tell you. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to successfully remodel your kitchen.
Things Kitchen Remodelers Don’t Tell You
The Contractor Won’t Be At Your House Everyday
The first and most important thing your contractor won’t tell you is that they are not going to show up at your house every day. The reason is that contractors indulge themselves in multiple jobs to keep themselves afloat. For you, kitchen remodeling may be a big deal, but for them, it is just another job.
Plus, contractors tend to have multiple teams that work on different projects at the same time. This does not mean the contractor is trying to avoid or won’t communicate with you. It is just the way these people work. So, if you were expecting the contractor to show up at the house every day, you were wrong.
You will have a team that will work in the kitchen and be in direct contact with you while you supervise the entire process. Make sure to keep an eye on the process, as they might neglect minor things that could lead to issues later on.
My Super Low Bid Wasn’t Real
While searching for the right contractor, you will come across a sea of options. Some will be offering their services at a lower market rate, tempting you to choose them over the others. But the problem is that the quote you agreed to is actually fake.
There is a chance your kitchen remodeling goes down the drain as the contractor will find it hard to assemble a team that is willing to work at lower rates. The only way it is possible is if the contractor hires amateurs, which will surely ruin the investment.
This is why it is important to get multiple quotes and go through portfolios to have a better understanding of the skills and expertise of the contractor. The cost of kitchen remodeling projects can vary based on the needs and preferences of the homeowners.
Someone who has remodeled a bedroom might not be able to remodel a kitchen due to limited experience. As a result, you should choose someone who specifically specializes in kitchen remodeling projects.
The Project May Take Longer Than Expected
A common thing contractors don’t tell is that the project may not be finished on time. In reality, delays are common in home remodeling projects. They can be due to structural problems, unexpected plumbing issues, permit delays, material delivery delays, and the contractors’ own mistakes.
Some Things Cannot Be Repaired
One of the reasons you need to keep an eye out for the kitchen remodeling process is that the contractor might attempt to get it over as soon as possible to move on to another project. As a result, they will try to fix things that should have been replaced.
This removes the hassle of sourcing and installing them. Sometimes, when the contractors realize it is not worth their time and effort to focus on small things, they are most likely to leave them at that and move on to other things.
This is why it is crucial for you to perform a thorough inspection of the kitchen before the remodeling process begins and list down the things that will need replacement. Keep in mind that this also applies to bathroom remodeling as well. So, hire bathroom remodeling contractors Port Jefferson who don’t cut corners.
Kitchen Remodeling Needs To Follow Rules
Every homeowner wants a bigger kitchen and for that, they will require every inch of space they can get, especially if the kitchen is already a bit small. In some cases, the contractors will try to be sneaky and acquire more space than required by law, which can land you in legal trouble.
Some states or regions tend to be quite strict when it comes to building codes. Even if you are working on your house and within the boundaries, the state will still expect you to follow some codes. If not, the state might impose a heavy fine and ask you to tear down the illegal section.
Therefore, when hiring a contractor, you should also consider whether they are familiar with the local building codes or not. Plus, you should also visit the relevant authority and familiarize yourself with the building codes. The last thing you would want is a state representative visiting your house and asking you and your contractor to start all over again.
Your Kitchen Might Not Be Exactly Like You Imagined
Some homeowners are very conscious about how their kitchen might look at the end of the day and it’s their right considering the amount of money they will be spending. But the fact of the matter is that no matter how well planned the entire remodeling project is, you still won’t be prepared for unexpected situations.
The reality of the kitchen remodeling process unfolds as the contractors tear down the floors and walls to uncover what is underneath. Sometimes, the situation may demand changing the layout of the kitchen to utilize space more effectively.
This means you should be a bit flexible for any unexpected complications or changes in the kitchen design or layout. Not everything is supposed to go according to plan and you need to keep some space for that.
Paying Up Too Much Can Land You In Trouble
Some homeowners, in an attempt to avoid dealing with the contractor every day, tend to pay too much upfront without realizing they are calling for trouble. Once the contractors receive the amount, they will delay the project and you will have to chase them to get the work done.
This can be a seriously frustrating situation, leaving you hanging in the middle. Once the contractor has given you a quote for the project, you should pay 30 to 40% of the cost and the rest as the work gets done.
Make sure to keep some percentage until the final touches are done because that is usually the stage where they will either be lazy or simply ignore the final steps. Without the final touches, you cannot expect the kitchen to be functional.
Plus, you won’t be able to work in the kitchen until the final touches are done because it might ruin the hardware and other items that were replaced.
Conclusion
Kitchen remodeling can surely be an overwhelming task, especially if you hire the wrong contractor. But a part of the responsibility lies on your shoulders as well, by being informed about the process and especially what the contractors won’t tell you. Keeping the information mentioned above in mind, you can ask all the right questions and hire an honest kitchen remodeler Port Jefferson.
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