10 Questions to Ask on Your First Call About a Kitchen Remodel

The first phone call about a kitchen remodel is not just for us to learn about your project. It is your chance to find out how we think, how we price and how we would treat your home. A good contractor will welcome hard questions.

These are the 10 questions I want every homeowner to ask me before we meet. Write down the answers, and ask every contractor you talk to the same ones so you can compare.

1. Do you handle design, or will I need a separate designer?

Some contractors only build from someone else's plan. Others design and build. Ask who draws the layout, who helps you choose cabinets and finishes, and whether design is included or billed separately. We design and build, so one team owns the plan and the result.

2. Will my current layout work, or does something need to move?

Moving a sink, range or wall is where kitchen budgets grow fastest. A good contractor will tell you honestly whether the layout is worth keeping and what it would take to change it. Our kitchen remodel cost guide explains what pushes the price up and what brings it down.

3. What cabinet options do you offer, and what are the lead times?

Cabinets are usually the biggest line item and often set the schedule. Ask about stock, semi-custom and custom options, what each includes, and how long each takes to arrive.

4. Does my electrical panel have room for new circuits?

Modern kitchens need dedicated circuits for appliances and counters. In older homes, especially around Ottawa, the panel may be full. Ask how the contractor will check this before pricing, not after demolition.

5. Who pulls the permits, and what needs one?

Electrical, plumbing, gas and structural changes usually need a permit. Your contractor should pull it and schedule inspections. If someone suggests skipping permits, that is a red flag.

6. How long will I be without a working kitchen?

Ask for a realistic timeline from demolition to final, and what drives it. Ask whether they can help you set up a temporary kitchen, and how they schedule demolition around cabinet delivery so the gap is as short as possible.

7. Who will be in my home each day, and who is my point of contact?

Know whether the crew is in-house or subcontracted, who supervises them, and who answers your calls. You should have one person who knows your project.

8. How do you handle surprises and changes?

Old wiring, water damage and uneven floors show up in kitchens. Ask how surprises are communicated, priced and approved before work continues, and how change orders are documented.

9. What is included in your estimate, and what are allowances?

Ask for a written scope. If the estimate uses allowances for appliances, tile or fixtures, ask whether those amounts are realistic for what you want. Low allowances make a bid look cheaper than it is.

10. What happens after the project is done?

Ask about the warranty, what it covers and how to reach the contractor if something needs attention. We follow up at 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months after every project, and we put our Kansas contractor license, GEN-000052-2019, on everything we do.

Use our kitchen planning checklist to get your household on the same page before the call, and read our kitchen remodeling guide for the full planning process.

When you are ready, start a conversation or learn how our First Call works. You can also read more about our kitchen remodeling services and our process.