Five Tips for Hiring a Port St. Lucie Kitchen Contractor
Making home renovations is more than just a financial investment. You place an incredible amount of trust into the contractors you hire for the job, both to complete the job properly and in manner. Failure to do so can cause damage to the foundation of your home, leading to the need for extensive repairs. This is especially true for kitchen remodeling, which requires electricity, water, and potentially gas routing. If mishandled, kitchen renovations can cause a magnitude of damages and expenses.
That’s why it is important to take your time when choosing a kitchen contractor in Port St. Lucie. Here are five tips on what you should look for.
BBB Rating and Online Reviews
See what others have to say about the services provided by a Port St. Lucie kitchen contract is a great way to start your search. While reviews aren’t completely indicative of what your experience will be, watch out for patterns and common complaints. Avoid hiring a contractor who has a history of overshooting project timelines or poor work quality.
The Better Business Bureau is a great source for key information necessary for hiring a kitchen contractor in Port Saint Lucie. With an easy to understand rating scale, you can sort your results, so you only see the best of the best.
DB Home Improvement is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. View our online gallery to see our quality of work for yourself!
Ask for References
Don’t completely rely on online reviews. While making inquiries, be sure to get references. If possible, ask for at least one from a recent job and one older reference. This will give you an insight into potential issues down the line. When speaking with a reference, be sure to ask questions that matter to you. The more references you can get for a contractor, the more readily you will be able to form a fair, well-rounded concept of their work.
When in doubt, start with friends and family members! Ask around for referrals to local kitchen contractors in Port St. Lucie.
Verify Licenses, Insurances, and Permits
General contractors in Florida are required to pass a state-issued exam and have at least four years of experience to become licensed. They must also be certified by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Florida law also requires kitchen contractors to hold a minimum of $100,000 in bodily injury insurance and $25,000 in property damage insurance in order to legally perform work. This protects you in the instance of property damage caused during the remodeling process. Be sure to also check for a building permit if your remodeling project will require the movement or addition of electrical, plumbing, mechanical or walls within your home.
Get Bids
Don’t make the mistake of jumping straight into a contract with the first kitchen contractor in Port Saint Lucie you speak with. Shop around and get bids from everyone. Not only will this help you understand your options, but it also gives you the advantage and makes contractors more willing to negotiate on costs. Be careful, though; going with the cheapest option may save you some money upfront when it comes to home remodeling, but you often get what you paid for.
Put it All in Writing
Once you’ve made your choice, make sure to have a contract drawn up with your exact expectations detailed in full. Include your timeline for completion, a payment schedule, as well as a requirement for cost adjustments to be put in writing. Attach your contractor’s itemized bid so it may be referred to later in the case of any discrepancies. Other clauses to include are lien waivers and cancellation details. Lien waivers protect you against a lien being placed on your property for payments already made to the contractor. Cancellation details should specify situations in which you or the contractor may break the contract and any applicable cancellation fees and refunds.
Ready to begin your kitchen renovation? Contact DB Home Improvement today to get started!
