Remodeling Estimate

One of the most frustrating aspects of any kitchen is inadequate cabinet space. It often becomes necessary for one to remove the old cabinets and initiate a new cabinet installation. A major decision must be made about whether one wants to do this work on their own or hire a professional to do the work for them. This kind of work can be complicated and difficult, so hiring a professional is always the safest choice but it is important to know what to look for in a contractor before hiring them.

The most important thing to check before hiring a cabinet installation contractor is to make sure they are certified. There are general certifications that all carpenters should have but it is important to make sure that a contractor is certified specifically for cabinetry. There are issues that pop up with cabinet installation and the person hired to do the job must know about these before beginning their work.

Next, it is vital that a potential customer get a list of past customers for references. If a contractor is unwilling to provide references, then it is a clear warning that something has gone terribly wrong in the past. It is their job to convince the customer that they are the best person for the job. One should never simply trust the word of the person trying to get paid to do a job.

The most important step is to insure that the contractor has liability insurance. It is vital that all customers find out who the insurer is and what the installer’s account number is. The customer should then call the insurance company and verify that the insurance covers the type of work to be done and that it is a valid account. This is so important because if a worker is hurt in a private home and the contractor does not have insurance then it becomes the responsibility of the home owner. This is simply a way for a home owner to protect themselves against a potential law suit.

Finally, it is also necessary that the carpenter be willing to provide a quote in writing and that the customer maintains a reasonable expectation of work to be done. Obtaining a written quote is important to prevent a business from artificially inflating the prices. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous dealers to verbally quote a price and then claim that the customer must have misheard the original quote. A written quote acts as a contract that both parties must adhere to. Anyone that will not give this should be avoided. It is also important that the customer be reasonable. Issues pop up even with the best professional installers that might delay the cabinet installation for a day or two.

There is nothing quite like the experience of moving from inadequate cabinetry to brand new cabinets that provide all the space one might need. It is important to know what to expect when installing these new cabinets and to maintain a reasonable goal for when they will be finished. That said, nobody should set themselves up to get scammed by a shady contractor. Verifying everything the contract says will help protect anyone from finding themselves at the mercy of someone that did not really know exactly how to accomplish the job they were hired to do.