A kitchen remodel is a big decision and can drastically increase the value of your home.  Any real estate agent will tell you that.  It's one of the main rooms frequented in the entire home.  Socializing revolves around the kitchen and you should make that space your dream kitchen.

Because it's such an important project you can't trust your kitchen remodeling job to anybody.  But, with so many stories about bad experiences with kitchen remodelers and general contractors homeowners may feel hesitant and may not know who to trust and how to find an honest kitchen remodeling contractor. For starters, you should gather a few estimates from various contractors before making your decision.

Don't think you need a full scope of what your kitchen remodel will entail.  A good kitchen remodeling contractor will help guide you through the process and help you imagine the finished product.

Here are a few tips to use when hiring your kitchen remodeler in Los Angeles:     

Free Estimate: Don't pay for any estimate. Many kitchen remodeling contractors will offer a free estimate and that's your opportunity to ask plenty of questions and get a good feel for your contractor.  Does he answer all your questions fully and thoughtfully without being pushy or rushing out of there? 

Reviews: Take a look over reviews online, testimonials, videos, or any other information you may find online.  What sorts of reviews or customer feedback did the kitchen contractor receive?  Are there any negative reports floating around the web about this kitchen remodeler? Yelp is a good source for reviews from others.

Licensed: Is your contractor licensed?  A good idea is to look over the Contractors State License Board to verify their credibility. Usually the kitchen remodelers will have a website and will list their license number there.

Insurance/Bonding: Equally important to your kitchen remodeler being insured is that he is licensed and bonded. Make sure you confirm this with him before hiring.  There are two types of insurance a contractor should carry: liability and worker's compensation.  The liability insurance will protect you in the case the contractor damages your home.  Your homeowner's insurance won't cover damages done by a contractor.  Worker's compensation will cover the cost of an injury one of his worker's may sustain.  If your contractor doesn't have worker's compensation you homeowner's insurance policy may pay for the claim, but it could increase your rates and make it more difficult to be insured in the future.

 

Risks involved with not hiring a licensed or insured kitchen remodeler are vast.  When he's licensed and insured you can hold him accountable for damages.  If he's unlicensed and uninsured you could end up paying the price. 

So how do you avoid these problems?

Get at least three bids: By collecting bids you've made sure you've done your homework so you won't get caught in a bad situation.  See if your friends or family can send you any recommendations.

Determine how much materials cost: Do research ahead of time to see how much materials will cost. Call suppliers and get a rough idea of how much your cabinets, counters, tile etc. will cost.  It's normal for a kitchen remodeler to raise the price a bit above, but make sure he doesn't go overboard.

Get all the information up front: Some kitchen remodelers are guilty of bait and switching.  To avoid this make sure every detail is laid out in the contract. What will be included and what won't be included?

Being prepared ahead of time will make your kitchen remodeling project a breeze and you'll end up with the kitchen of your dreams!