Are you ready for a new Kitchen?  Understanding which type of remodeling contractor you need can make or break the success of your kitchen remodeling.  Many homeowners’ embark on remodeling their kitchen without realizing they have several options for choosing which  process they can follow.  The stakes are high! Selecting the right one affects everything about your project from cost to the finishing results.  Check out below your options and how they can work to your advanatge.

So, what is the down low on picking the best process for your project?

It starts with understanding the options for how you start and who will help you on your kitchen remodel;

The Players:

• Visit your local Big Box Home store and order materials and have them assign a Contractor
• Go to Kitchen Showroom and meet with a Staff member to help you design your kitchen
• Hire a Design/Build Remodeling firm to guide you through the entire process
• Meet with a General Contractor and follow their process
• Hire an Architect
• Locate an experienced Kitchen Designer to walk you through
• Meet with an Interior Designer to get you started
• Find a Handyman 

Each of these creates a different experience and one size definitely does not fit all.  Every home is different and what is necessary for you might not be the same for your neighbor.  One may need a complete gut and overhaul while another just needs some strategic upgrades.  When it comes to Kitchen layouts they should be designed for both function and beauty.  That means the who, what and how will make a difference in your cost, quality of work and ultimately your experience.

Here’s what you can expect from the different players:

Local Big Box Stores and Kitchen Showrooms

This option can provide great assistance for picking your materials.  Unfortunately, you will get minimal layout and space planning guidance, with little to no help on pulling it all together.  That might not be a problem  if you are only doing a pull and replace Kitchen remodel.   If you are doing the work yourself this can have added  benefits in the overall cost.

How it works; 

 During this process you select items that are readily available from their displays. Once you make  your decisions you either find a General Contractor or they refer you to one.  On the downside, the burden of making sure all the details get communicated and executed the way you want is on you.  Alas, if you don’t like what they offer then it’s up to you to find something else as they rarely coordinate with outside showrooms.   

Design/Build Remodeling Company

A Design Build Remodeling Company has the experts to take your Kitchen remodel from rough sketches and ideas into detailed plans and scopes of work.  A traditional Design Build Company starts you off with a Project Budget based on a detailed meeting(s) of your wants and needs. 

How it Works;

A kitchen designer,  through a series of discussions, helps you make informed decisions.  This process often includes detailed drawings, plans, and utilizing multiple sources for the best materials to solve your needs.  The biggest difference between following this process is the value of working with one team, start to finish, in achieving your goal at the cost and quality you choose.  There’s a reason Design Build remodeling consistently produces show stopping results, it’s in  the little details.   By focusing on every aspect of the project  they get  to know you and really understanding your wants and needs.   

General Contractors

I love the General Contractor option with one caveat; hire a design and planning expert to guide your decisions.  General Contractors focus on the construction.  They can be greatly skilled in remodeling kitchens and have all the professional trades skilled in what you need.  A Great General Contractor can be pure gold.

How it Works;

A General Contractor meets with you in your home and finds out what you would like done.  Typically they will provide a very rough estimate of either the total cost or the labor cost and let you research the material cost on your own.  Once you have your materials selected they will provide an updated cost and install what you have selected. 

The biggest drawback is the lack of design and planning assistance.  They rarely want to go deep into the layout, selections, coordination of fixtures and finishes.  This can leave you at the mercy of having a Kitchen with too many different vendors giving advice and no one pulling it all together.  A General Contractor who has a Design and Planning expert that they refer is still considered a Design Build process just not a Design Build Company. It’s important here that the Design and planning specialist is not only knowledgeable in beautiful interior finishes but is also  an expert at guiding you within constraints and have the knowledge of the building process.  Here at Murphy’s Design we work with several outside General Contractors to provide this service and we love it.  It saves their time and provides an additional expert on our teams.

Architects

Hiring an Architect to plan your Kitchen Remodel is usually not necessary.  Where Architects truly shine is when you are looking to add square footage by expanding beyond the existing footprint and re-allocation of the homes footprint.  The Architect’s intense education in building materials and house systems can provide for energy efficiencies, green building and better options for doors and windows.   Here the Architect can seamlessly combine old spaces with new construction while keeping with your current house style.  They also are exceptional at make some dramatic style changes taking traditional and re-imagining it into a Contemporary home.  Most Architects will bring in a Kitchen Designer, Cabinet, or Interior Specialist to assist you in your selections.  In some cases they will handle all the decisions with you personally.  Architects command higher compensation than most other of the design professionals so using them when it’s not necessary can mean extra cost but for those larger projects it’s worth every penny. 

How it Works;

 When it comes to the building they either have their own Remodeling crew or they will Bid the project out to General Contractors.  Architects are comfortable with the bidding process because they know they will be overseeing the construction on your behalf and handling anything that comes up.  Bidding a remodeling project that does not have an Architects oversight is a large burden for the Homeowner.  You will be expected to be onsite, reviewing and acting as the point person for plan questions and  the Quality Control person ensuring that the specifications are being met.  That’s why Design/Build remodeling was created, it gives you the homeowner support in managing the day to day of the project.

Kitchen Design Professional

Going the route of hiring a Kitchen Designer to walk you through the design and planning of your dream kitchen is a great way to get all the details set before you commit to a project or Contractor.  Kitchen Designer’s specialize in the removal and replacement of Kitchen spaces.  Many often specialize in cabinetry and/or Bathroom design and planning, as well.  I can’t tell you how many kitchen remodel scopes have shifted during the design and planning phase from a basic project to something more complex.  This is an added advantage when working with a Kitchen designer as they can guide you to the right decisions with an eye on cost.  By following this process you limit guesswork on expensive things like; plumbing, electrical, and structural surprises before the work gets started and materials ordered. 

How it Works;

Certified Kitchen Designers and Remodelers are knowledgeable in housing systems and  very much aware of the cost drivers in construction costs.  They can easily discuss with you the pros and cons of all the options available to you.  We structure all our projects, at Murphy’s Design,  as design and planning.  By approaching Kitchens this way we exhaust all our options before assuming we have to do the more expensive and invasive structural changes like additions, and large scale modifications that affect the construction cost.  In the end, our clients know that the project they are embarking on is the one they really, really want.  Our added advantage of first tackling the design and planning is knowing what you really want makes getting a competitive price for the build much easier. 

Interior Designers 

Interior designers receive the training to layout and plan a kitchen remodel when they are in school.  Afterwards, some embark on Commercial Projects others work in Residential Interiors.  Making sure you are accessing the help of a skilled and expert in residential current Kitchen remodeling trends and practices will insure that you have a smooth process with your Contracting team.  Having a well versed specialist is a great way to ensure your project is well thought out and curated.  An Interior Designer isn’t always a Kitchen Designer so make sure the experience level is considered when making your selection.

How it Works;

The Interior designer will provide you with ideas and materials that provide the look and feel you have shared with them.  Once everything is selected they will order the materials while putting  you in touch with a Contractor for the build out.  It’s against the law in Virginia for Designers to contract remodeling without the appropriate State contractors license so you will need to contract with the builder seperately.  Never pay an Interior Designer for Remodeling without first checking for the appropriate license and insurance.

Handyman Services

Handyman services are an option if you are planning to do only minor updates.  It’s a bad idea to have a Handyman work on Kitchen remodeling that includes any electrical or plumbing upgrades.  Pulling out your old Kitchen and replacing it with new cabinets, countertops, and finishes can be fine. 

How it works;

Their process is usually straightforward but often is not as reliable as working with a General Contractor.  They typically don’t have the support of office personnel for scheduling and ordering materials so that will fall on you.  They also can lack warranty and may not be as skilled in some of the activities.  The positive of these on man teams is in the cost.  They typically are less expensive than the other options. 

Which way will you go?

There are many options when you begin your Kitchen Remodeling Process.  Dependent on the size and scope of your work you can successfully navigate all the decisions as long as you have the help of an expert in the Design and Planning of Kitchens.  Once you have a plan it’s a lot easier to make a decision on the best action for high quality execution.