So your kitchen appears a bit tired and has been for some time now, yes?
Those cupboards look old, the walls are dirty and the floor is cracked.
If you have finally decided to remodel this precious part of the home, the most essential factor to this project’s success is hiring a reliable kitchen remodeling company.
While it may feel like a daunting task, you’ve come to the right place as we shed some light on this remodeling process and help you land the best home improvement company in the city.
But there are a couple of things you need to do before contacting companies and asking for quotes:
Planning Your Kitchen Renovation in Woodland Hills
Excited to start a kitchen remodeling project? It’s easy to get carried away with the fun stuff—like choosing new cabinets, countertops, and paint colors—but if you want your project to be successful, it’s important to take the time for careful planning before jumping in.
If done correctly, planning will not only make your life easier during the project but will also help ensure you get all the features you want.
To guide you through the process, here are some tips:
Determine your budget.
Before setting off on a shopping spree, figure out how much money you actually have to spend on the remodel.
Including all costs (materials, labor, etc.) will help prevent costly surprises later on.
With a set spending limit, you can prevent the regret of overspending or the confusion brought by every new idea that comes along.
Decide what features you want in your space.
Do you need more storage? Do you need more counter space?
When planning your space, make sure it fits your lifestyle so it will serve its purpose well after it is finished.
Sure, the kitchen has to be pretty, but it has to be functional first.
Look at ideas that inspire you.
Collect photos from magazines or websites and sit down with your spouse or relatives to decide on the styles that you want.
You can take your time on this step because you’ll have to live with the end result for the better part of the next decade.
That being said, these plans are still to be evaluated by the remodeling company, so you don’t have to be crippled by indecision.
Determine the schedule.
Once you have prepared a budget and ironed out the specifics of the remodel, pick the most workable dates with respect to your lifestyle.
It’s also critical to choose months with fine weather as elements like rain might cause some friction to your renovation project.
Although the weather is clearly beyond your control, having lived in Woodland Hills, CA for a number of years should give you a pretty good idea as to which time of the year is ideal.
Make an initial list of remodeling companies in the area.
As mentioned, of all the factors affecting the success and failure of this project, the most crucial one would have to be your ability to find the right remodeling company.
The first step in doing this is generating leads.
Here’s how to do it:
Ask for referrals from:
Family, friends, co-workers, neighbors- Simply think of people in your life who have undergone a kitchen remodel recently and consider giving them a call.
You can likewise brainstorm with your spouse and think of those whom you think have fabulous kitchens and pay them a visit.
Social media friends- You might be amazed at how many online acquaintances in the city are willing to offer recommendations if you ask nicely.
Consider posting a “looking-for-recommendations” status update on your social media platforms.
Local hardware store owners – These are perhaps the most credible sources of referrals, especially if they’ve been in business for a long time.
They probably know and have worked with the best companies in the city.
Check online listings.
You can always resort to Googling local listings in Woodland Hills if all else fails.
Just remember to keep your searches local and check out websites carefully.
Ask for multiple bids.
Asking for multiple bids from several companies is the best way to get an idea of what your project will cost.
The least expensive bid may not be the best value, and the most expensive is not always worth it.
Getting multiple quotes will help you figure out what the standard cost is and avoid getting taken advantage of.
Evaluating Remodeling Companies in Woodland Hills
The most sophisticated personal plans and the most flexible of budgets cannot make up for a bad contractor’s poor workmanship and lack of professionalism.
It is, therefore, crucial to know what to look for when evaluating companies.
Here are things you should check either when scrutinizing their literature or during interviews:
Credentials
Check to see if they have all of the necessary state and local licenses, as well as any professional certifications from organizations like the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and the National Association of Homebuilders.
Look for companies that have put in the time and effort to complete coursework and pass challenging exams in order to obtain specific credentials.
However, keep in mind that not all certificates are made equal.
Do some research to learn about the requirements.
Communication Skills and Professionalism
Set up home meetings with the candidates you’ve narrowed down.
Keep the number of candidates to three since more than that might be confusing and laborious.
The way a professional responds to queries is crucial, but communication is two-way.
Candidates should also ask a lot of relevant questions.
You can usually gauge a company’s professionalism by the way they interact with you.
References
If you like them, ask for references and follow up with those references.
Inquire about the company’s performance on the projects.
Were they completed on schedule and under budget? Were the clients happy with the end result?
Is there anything they would do differently next time? Was the experience pleasant overall?
Management and Business Excellence
Consider the following questions.
- Do they have an office? Homebased remodelers are hardly worth considering.
- Are they able to maintain a working website?
- Is their customer service responsive and pleasant?
- Are they reachable via social media chat or email?
- Do they have liability insurance? Ask for documentation on this to be sure.
- How long has this firm been operating under this name?
- Are there references from previous clients, material suppliers, and financial institutions?
- Do they feature professional credentials, such as CGR (Certified Graduate Remodeler)?
- What is the length of time that the remodeler has been a member of any trade organizations?
Conclusion – Finding the Right Remodeling Company in Woodland Hills
Finding the right home improvement company in Woodland Hills, CA can be a challenging process.
There are many factors that need to be considered to ensure you choose the quality and trustworthy company you’re looking for.
However, the guide we provided above, if followed correctly can save you time, money, and resources for your anticipated kitchen remodeling project.