Selecting the contractor is the single most important decision you will make regarding the success of any project you may be considering. You can avoid many of the common problems that arise between remodeling contractors and homeowners if you do some homework before signing a contract, saving yourself time, ill-spent money, and the accompanying long-term headaches. Whether you are planning a small kitchen remodel, or remodeling your whole house, The Kitchen Connection recommends that you use the following checklist as a tool to review potential contractors.

How long has the contractor been in business?
Experts recommend you hire a contractor with ten or more years of experience. In California, 92% of contractors go out of business within the first ten years in business. Research has shown that contractors with ten or more years of experience are more likely to have a solid business foundation, and are therefore in a better position to back up their workmanship and warranty in the future.

Does the contractor have a license and if so, is it valid. The State of California requires a contractor to have a current and valid contractor's license to reface or remodel kitchens. Ask the contractor to see their license, a kitchen remodeler should have a B - General Building Contractor License, in addition to a C-5 Contracting Specialty License. Check the beginning number of their license, licenses are issued in sequential order and a lower beginning number means the contractor has been in business for a longer period of time. For the contractor to be in business for ten years, their license number would begin with a 5 or below. Also check the expiration date to make sure it is still valid. Write down the contractor's license number and call the California State Licensing Board to see if the licenses are still current, if they are issued in their company name, or if there are any outstanding complaints.

Verify that the contractor is properly insured.
It is extremely important that a contractor be properly insured to protect you from potential legal problems and financial disaster. Remember, if a contractor is not insured, and he, or one of his workers is hurt on the job, they can sue you. A contractor should have the following three types of insurance coverage:

• Workman's Compensation Insurance - Protects the homeowner in case a worker is injured on the homeowner's property.

• General Liability Insurance - Covers the homeowner in case the contractor damages the homeowner's property.

• Automobile Insurance - Protects the homeowner in case the contractor's vehicle damages another vehicle on the homeowner's property.

Communication is critical. When you interview a potential contractor, you should feel comfortable asking questions and speaking with him. After all, he will be working on your biggest investment! Explain the goals you have for your project. It is very important for the contractor to listen to, and understand your needs and wants. While discussing your project, he should show enthusiasm for your ideas and suggest ways to make them work within your budget. A contractor should also alleviate any concerns you may have about your project. Ask the contractor for examples of how he has solved kitchen challenges that are similar to yours. Good two-way communication is the key to a successful customer and contractor relationship.

Ask for references.
Contractors who have been in business a long time should pride themselves in their high quality of workmanship and be comfortable providing you with a list of client references. With references and customer service it is particularly important to work with a contractor with ten or more years of experience. Chances are, if the contractor was installing sub-standard or shoddy installations, they would not have lasted ten years in business.

What is the company's philosophy regarding customer service. Look for a contractor who places an emphasis on customer service. The customer service representatives should be friendly, professional, and attentive to your needs or questions. You want to know, that if you develop a problem in the future, the company will be there to resolve the matter.

Get it in writing.
Contracts and design capabilities can run the full spectrum as far as written details and professionalism. Prepare yourself for everything from scribbles on a business card, to "trust me" verbal agreements based on a handshake. Although the handshake part is an important start of your relationship with a contractor, do not consider it as a final basis for the details of your project. The contract should clearly define the work that is to be completed, the materials to be used, and who will be responsible for completing the work. Having the scope of the work clearly defined, and spelled out in the contract, avoids any misunderstandings during the installation process.

Make sure that all bids are for the same specifications.
The basis of a contractor's price is important. Do not simply hire a contractor with the lowest estimate, it may turn out to be the highest price! The old expression, " you can't compare apples to oranges" applies here.

Typically, home center quotes include only the price of the cabinets and not any installation labor, sales tax or delivery charges. These components add up! When the installation labor is included in the estimate, the total job cost increases by an additional 30% to 50%. Adding sales tax, will increase the price an additional 8%, and there is also an extra charge for delivery. Some contractors utilize cheap, inferior materials and unskilled labor to keep their prices down, or they don't include all the work that needs to be completed in the contract. This can become a serious (and costly!) issue during the installation process when they say, " sorry, that's not included in the contract".

Down payments or deposits.
A reputable contractor will ask for a down payment, or deposit, upon the sale, and schedule future progress payments based on job performance milestones. The California State Contractor's Board regulates and mandates that a contractor can only collect a deposit of 10% or $1,000; whichever is less. Beware of a contractor who requires a large down payment before the start of construction. Many of the remodeling horror stories involve homeowners who paid a large deposit and got little or none of the work performed.

Weigh carefully all the factors before making a decision!
Prices, comparable products, references, guarantees, customer service and overall professionalism of the contractor - are all factors that should be considered in the decision making process.

By taking the time to research and carefully select your contractor, you will ensure your kitchen remodel is a positive and memorable experience! After your dream kitchen is complete, and you, your family and friends all love the magnificent results, you'll decide it was well worth any of the minor inconveniences you went through!