Ask for Certification



Before anything else, make sure your potential remodeler is a CKD or certified kitchen designer.

Ask a Computer

Some search engines offer the option of restricting search results to a specific area. You can search by the name of your town or city or zip code. One of the perks of doing a local online search is that search engines offer the option for users to rate or leave feedback for listed companies. You may know to steer clear of Contractor X if more than one user complains of a remodeling job running over estimate. If people are consistently happy with Contractor Y, you might want to check them out.

Ask a Pro

Go to your local hardware or kitchen appliance store. Ask a knowledgeable salesperson for a recommendation. These retailers deal regularly with contractors. They'll be able to tell you who is honest, who is slow, and who they would hire to do work on their own kitchen.

Ask a Friend

Someone who has recently gone through the process of remodeling his or her kitchen can be a useful source of information. Do you have a neighbor with a new kitchen? Was the process easy or a nightmare? What are they glad they did? What do they wish they'd done differently? Most people will offer up opinions if you ask them. This is especially true if the kitchen contractor went above and beyond the "call of duty" to make the customer happy. When you find a gem of a contractor who gets a glowing reference, this is a good indication that you should choose this contractor. Just remember that this should not be the only criteria for choosing.

Make sure you talk to more than one prospective contractor, and be sure to ask for references.

If you are considering a kitchen remodel and want to use the best products but balk at the cost, then the best option is to save as much as you can on labor by doing as many projects as you can yourself.

A do-it-yourself remodeling job may seem intimidating, and while some projects – like electrical rewiring – are best left to a professional, homeowners themselves can complete many kitchen-remodeling jobs with little difficulty.

• Cabinet Refinishing: New kitchen cabinets can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Instead of replacing your cabinets, consider refinishing or replacing them. You'll get the look of new cabinets at a fraction of the cost.

• Countertops: Most homeowners can install their own countertops, provided the countertops are not marble, slab granite, or engineered stone.

• Paint or Wallpaper: One of the easiest ways to spruce up and add value to your kitchen. A new color can brighten and give the illusion of space to even the most cramped kitchen.

• Flooring: Wood and tile are the best flooring for resale; neither is particularly difficult to install. “Floating” flooring like pergo is a great option also.