Before beginning a kitchen remodel project, it's important to identify the best kitchen remodeler for you. Each kitchen remodeling project is a little different, and the ideal remodeler for one set of homeowners might not be ideal for another.
If you're ready for a kitchen remodel, but aren't sure how to choose who to hire for the job, keep reading. We outline how to find a quality remodeler who can transform your existing space into your dream kitchen while working safely, charging what you can afford, and communicating openly throughout the process.
First things first: You must have a general vision for your dream kitchen before you find your best remodeling team. It'll be more difficult to get your needs met if you have no clue what they are.
Spend time in your existing space considering what you want your new kitchen to contain, and how you want it to feel. Do you need a simple upgrade with new cabinets and granite countertops? What's more important, increased storage or ample space for guests? Should the interior design exude a sleek and minimalist style, or be rustic and traditional? Do you plan to work around existing appliances, or install new ones? You don't need to be 100% firm on these ideas, but having a general concept in mind will make life easier as you proceed.
Evaluating your needs will help you determine if you need a company that specializes in budget-friendly kitchen upgrades, like new cabinets, or if you require a company that's capable of an in-depth kitchen renovation, complete with new flooring and a customized new layout. Perhaps you need a remodeling team to provide a seamless experience as they construct a new kitchen, bathroom, and family room for you at once.
Once you have a clear idea of your remodeling job needs, it's time to begin researching Des Moines-area construction companies up to the job. The Des Moines area is replete with high-quality companies capable of carrying out kitchen and bath construction and renovation projects.
While it might be tempting to go with the first contractor you find, identifying 3 to 5 remodelers that offer the services you seek is a good start. That way, you can compare and contrast designers, prices, approaches to remodeling, finding the company best suited to create the style you prefer.
You can find local remodelers by searching in an online search engine or in a digital maps app. You may also consider asking friends, family, neighbors, and other local community members which companies they've used for similar projects in the past, as well as how they felt about the work completed.
Begin researching each of the companies you've identified by reading through client reviews and testimonials. You'll be able to tell if a company employs a client experience-centered approach this way. Remodelers may feature client testimonials on their website and social media accounts. Instead of only considering the average rating, read through individual reviews to see what past customers liked and disliked about the company, as well as what types of work they had done.
Additionally, look for homeowners' ratings and reviews on third-party websites. Positive client testimonials on third-party websites demonstrate that a company has a reputation for excellent service in kitchen remodeling. Companies are unable to alter the reviews they receive on these sites, so you know you aren't only seeing cherry-picked five-star reviews. Sites that may contain remodeler ratings and reviews include Angi (formerly Angie's List), Better Business Bureau, Facebook, Google Maps, and Yelp.
Once you've narrowed down your options to a handful of Des Moines remodelers or kitchen-bath construction companies, reach out to each of them to verify that they are properly credentialed and have the certifications needed to do the work you seek.
Specifically, you want to verify that the contractor is licensed and insured for your protection. Companies must have state licensing to conduct electrical, plumbing, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) work. Also, contractors in Iowa earning $2,000 or more from construction projects must register with the Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIAL). Finally, the contractor and their team should agree to obtain all necessary local building permits to meet local codes and regulations.
When selecting a Des Moines kitchen remodeling team, it is essential to evaluate their experience and reputation and review work portfolios to assess craftsmanship. You began doing this work when looking through photos and reviews of their past remodeling jobs on their website and third-party websites. Now, it's time to ask them questions directly to better understand the work their team has done.
Briefly outline the work you want done, and ask to see photos and testimonials from similar past projects. Ask how many years the company has been in business, and how many years of experience their team leaders have. See if they have access to sample work that they can show you in-person, so you'll better understand how their completed work will look.
Another important question to ask is, how long do you think this project will take? If you're expecting remodeling services to take a month, but they take six months or more, you won't be a happy camper. Communicating about timeline details in advance is key, so you can plan how you'll get through daily life during the periods of time you cannot access kitchen appliances due to a remodel.
When talking with a potential remodeling team, ask for details regarding how the process unfolded when they completed similar work in the past, including potential obstacles and delays. Ask for a detailed timeline, rather than one simple number. There are many moving parts in a remodel, and you want to know the individual timelines for various members of the entire team.
Being on the same page about money is just as important as seeing eye-to-eye about time. Ask potential remodelers how much they think your dream kitchen will cost. Specifically ask about any potential additional costs or fees, as well as details regarding when they would arise.
In addition to an overall budget, you also want to know how much you'll have to pay, and when. A typical payment schedule for remodeling projects involves an initial deposit of 5-25% with subsequent payments tied to project milestones. Request written estimates that clearly itemize labor, building supplies, and timelines for effective comparisons. Estimating costs is important in kitchen remodeling services — different countertops and tile, for example, can sell for a wide range of prices. Different companies may also charge very different rates for labor.
By this step, the hard work is behind you, and you've identified a wonderful Des Moines remodeler for your job. Congratulations! But, there is one more step: A design agreement is part of the kitchen remodeling process. Although you might be tempted to sign on the line without reading the detailed contract, avoid this temptation.
All of your hard work will be for naught if the contract doesn't reflect the information you've verified verbally. Read every word of the contract, and ask questions if you don't understand something. Don't be afraid to ask to have the contract altered if it doesn't contain the information you expect.
Finding a kitchen remodeler, evaluating them thoroughly, and signing a contract make up the bulk of the work you need to do. That said, communicating clearly after the contract is signed is also important. Clear communication and transparency are critical when working with a kitchen remodeler in Des Moines.
Although you don't want to micro-manage the company you hired, it's okay to communicate with them regularly and ask questions about how the project is progressing. Also, it's important to speak up if you feel confused about the process or believe it isn't unfolding as described in the contract.
We're Compelling Homes, one of the Des Moines-area remodelers we hope you'll consider for your next project. We have over 15 years of experience working collaboratively with clients to make their existing homes their dream homes.
We employ a design-build approach to remodeling, which means our services are all-inclusive. From designing your vision to making it a reality, we carry out your remodeling project from start to finish, doing all of the work in-house. Look at our case studies to see samples of our past work, and reach out to learn more.