| ng to find a top remodeling company in your area | | | | contractor went above and beyond the "call of |
| to handle your upcoming kitchen-remodeling job? | | | | duty" to make the customer happy. When you |
| With so many contractors offering their services, | | | | find a gem of a contractor who gets a glowing |
| picking the right one may seem daunting. Here are | | | | reference, this is a good indication that you should |
| a few tips to separate the wheat from the chaff. | | | | choose this contractor. Just remember that this |
| Ask for Certification | | | | should not be the only criteria for choosing. |
| Before anything else, make sure your potential | | | | Make sure you talk to more than one prospective |
| remodeler is a CKD or certified kitchen designer. | | | | contractor, and be sure to ask for references. |
| Ask a Computer | | | | If you are considering a kitchen remodel and want |
| Some search engines offer the option of | | | | to use the best products but balk at the cost, |
| restricting search results to a specific area. You | | | | then the best option is to save as much as you |
| can search by the name of your town or city or | | | | can on labor by doing as many projects as you |
| zip code. One of the perks of doing a local online | | | | can yourself. |
| search is that search engines offer the option for | | | | A do-it-yourself remodeling job may seem |
| users to rate or leave feedback for listed | | | | intimidating, and while some projects – like |
| companies. You may know to steer clear of | | | | electrical rewiring – are best left to a |
| Contractor X if more than one user complains of | | | | professional, homeowners themselves can |
| a remodeling job running over estimate. If people | | | | complete many kitchen-remodeling jobs with little |
| are consistently happy with Contractor Y, you | | | | difficulty. |
| might want to check them out. | | | | • Cabinet Refinishing: New kitchen cabinets |
| Ask a Pro | | | | can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. |
| Go to your local hardware or kitchen appliance | | | | Instead of replacing your cabinets, consider |
| store. Ask a knowledgeable salesperson for a | | | | refinishing or replacing them. You’ll get the |
| recommendation. These retailers deal regularly | | | | look of new cabinets at a fraction of the cost. |
| with contractors. They’ll be able to tell | | | | • Countertops: Most homeowners can |
| you who is honest, who is slow, and who they | | | | install their own countertops, provided the |
| would hire to do work on their own kitchen. | | | | countertops are not marble, slab granite, or |
| Ask a Friend | | | | engineered stone. |
| Someone who has recently gone through the | | | | • Paint or Wallpaper: One of the easiest |
| process of remodeling his or her kitchen can be a | | | | ways to spruce up and add value to your kitchen. |
| useful source of information. Do you have a | | | | A new color can brighten and give the illusion of |
| neighbor with a new kitchen? Was the process | | | | space to even the most cramped kitchen. |
| easy or a nightmare? What are they glad they | | | | • Flooring: Wood and tile are the best |
| did? What do they wish they’d done | | | | flooring for resale; neither is particularly difficult to |
| differently? Most people will offer up opinions if | | | | install. “Floating” flooring like pergo |
| you ask them. This is especially true if the kitchen | | | | is a great option also. |