How to Choose a Contractor for a Kitchen Renovation in Des Moines, IA

Kitchen remodeling is in vogue. Whether for everyday meal prep, entertaining, or mastering advanced cooking techniques, we're hearing from more and more homeowners who want a new kitchen that meets high standards for functionality and style.

A kitchen isn't like any other room. It's a high-traffic, high-visibility space with unique needs and a combination of distinct components, including plumbing, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, lighting, and storage. As a result, making the most of a kitchen remodel requires expert design and execution.

In greater Des Moines, you'll find that there's no shortage of kitchen remodeling contractors. Over more than 15 years of seeing these projects play out, I think that the easiest way to optimize the entire process is to work with a design-build firm that integrates all the necessary services under one roof.

In this post, I'll go into detail about what qualities you should look for in remodeling contractors, how and when to incorporate a designer into your project, what makes the design-build process beneficial, and how to avoid mistakes when picking a contractor and carrying out your remodel.

What to Look for in a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

If you want your remodeling project to go smoothly, selecting the right company or contractor is critical. Some of the key characteristics to look for include:

• Track record: Find a contractor who has experience with diverse kitchen remodeling projects and positive reviews built up over years of work.

• Residential specialization: The needs, style, and building codes for a home kitchen are significantly different than for a commercial kitchen, so look for someone who focuses on the residential side.

• A full-service team: A remodel requires a team of people with different abilities, including design, project management, cost estimation, construction, and specific trades. I strongly recommend working with a company that has a designer on staff and also sets you up with a dedicated project manager.

• Organizational aptitude: A good contractor knows how to organize their time and workload. The last thing you want is someone who juggles too many projects, causing yours to get delayed. Trusting that your project will stick to the schedule helps your family plan around things like demolition and construction.

• Communication skills: It's your kitchen, which is why a good contractor should make understanding your vision and goals a top priority. Look for a contractor with a client experience-centered approach, which means they actually listen to you and respond in a way that you understand. You're going to count on them to keep you in the loop during the entire project, so don't disregard poor communication in the planning or proposal stage.

• Detail-oriented: Great contractors know that you can't cut corners if you want to create someone's dream kitchen. Look to hire someone who takes the time to consider the big picture and the finer points of your kitchen remodeling project. Their proposal and explanations should demonstrate their attention to detail.

• Knows the market: A contractor who knows Des Moines, its neighborhoods, and the types of kitchen features that are most valuable for local home values can enhance the success of your renovation.

• A fixed bid: Seek out a contractor who will give you a fixed bid, which is a commitment to staying within your budget and timeline. While there may be some necessary margin for contingencies, a fixed bid with clear details helps keep costs under control.

• Protects your home: The remodeling process will create dust and debris. Quality kitchen remodeling contractors follow specific steps for remediation and dust control. They also take precautions to avoid damaging anything in your home when hauling materials in and out of your kitchen.

Starting with an Interior Designer

Even if you're sure you need a new kitchen, don't just run out and hire a contractor. A kitchen remodel should start with an interior designer who works with you to create concrete plans for your dream kitchen.

Interior designers don't just focus on visual appeal. They organize the space for optimal functionality, recommend materials, and draw up structural modifications, such as taking out a wall, building out new cabinets, or putting in an island with brand-new countertops.

Why is Design So Important for a Kitchen Remodeling Project?

Kitchen design is about so much more than finishes and fancy appliances. It's about planning out a space that's beautiful, functional, and custom-tailored to your lifestyle.

For example, do you envision an open, modern kitchen perfect for hosting a party? Do you want to create a family hub where kids can do homework while the adults prepare meals? Do you have lots of gourmet kitchen gadgets that require extra cabinetry for storage space?

These considerations bring together layout, functionality, your personal style, and the logistical details of renovating your current kitchen. Compared to a family room or living room, a kitchen is especially complicated because it involves plumbing, electrical, and, in some cases, gas connections. On top of that, you have to account for appliances, the sink and faucet, cabinets, lighting, backsplash and tile, flooring, and countertops.

In short, designing a kitchen remodel is a serious job, which is why you should want an experienced, thoughtful person to handle this fundamental part of the project.

What Type of Contractor Should You Hire for a Kitchen Renovation?

When you're ready to get the ball rolling on your remodel, you have three main options for kitchen remodeling services:

1. Hire a designer and then hire a separate contractor to complete the project

2. Hire a contractor who outsources the design work

3. Hire a design-build firm with an in-house design expert who works hand-in-hand with the people who do the construction and remodeling

We're a design-build firm, so we're obviously big advocates for option #3. But we think the facts back us up.

Benefits of the Design-Build Approach

One of the biggest benefits of the design-build approach is that it gives homeowners a seamless experience. It offers a team-designed plan since the designers are in contact with the construction team from the get-go, putting everyone on the same page.

Hiring a design-build firm for your kitchen remodel simplifies communication and creates a single point of contact throughout the entire process. A dedicated project manager helps you know what to expect and how to get your questions answered. If you have a new idea or concern, you don't have to play phone tag with the designer and contractor and relay information between them.

Ultimately, having the people who plan the work and the people who do the job on the same team just leads to better outcomes. If that sounds simple, well, that's because it is. And that's why we think it's the best process for kitchen remodels.

Vetting Contractors for Your Kitchen Remodel

Although there's no single, surefire way to identify a quality contractor, a few practical tips can help.

• Get multiple bids: Being able to compare services and prices helps determine if someone's offer is totally off-base.

• See how they communicate: After meeting with contractors, reflect on whether their communication style and vibe mesh with yours.

• Do your research: Whenever possible, check references and reviews from past clients. Ask about their prior kitchen remodeling projects and the qualifications of the people on their team.

   

DIY or Hiring a Contractor for Kitchen Renovation?

I understand the temptation to do a DIY kitchen remodel. In theory, it should save money and give you more control. But in practice, it doesn't usually play out that way. Even homeowners experienced in remodeling projects can get overwhelmed by everything they have to juggle in a kitchen project.

For some services -- like electrical work, flooring installation, or upgrading plumbing fixtures -- you'll likely need to hire independent tradespeople, so in the end, it's not fully DIY. And that means that you're now responsible for communicating with everyone involved and coordinating all of their schedules. If someone flakes out, you're left in the lurch and have to scramble to find someone on short notice.

You'll also have to pull permits and may need to check local regulations about insurance for people working onsite. Checking the quality of their work will be up to you, and you may not have a defined warranty to protect your investment. All of these things can cause your total costs to creep up, eating away at what you hoped to save going the DIY route.

There's a lot of behind-the-scenes work that a design-build firm or a general contractor handles on your behalf. So while the idea of a DIY kitchen renovation may be appealing, in our experience, you can avoid frustration and unexpected costs by entrusting the project to a professional.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Kitchen Remodeling Project

I've lost count of how many times we've had to step in and set things straight after a kitchen remodel went awry. Certain mistakes are often at the root of a failed remodel.

• Not starting with a clear plan: The order of operations starts with a bigger vision and then narrows down to the details. Don't start by focusing on which brand of newly styled cabinets you want if you haven't first considered the big picture of how the space will be used.

• Following a stylistic theme: Many homeowners get in trouble with too much mixing and matching, leading to jarring outcomes like countertops that look out of place next to the cabinets and sink. Modern, classic, rustic -- whatever the approach, stick to it.

• Confusing interior design and interior decoration: Decoration is about how things look. Design includes decoration but involves so much more.

• Choosing materials only on looks: While visual appeal is important, remember that some materials have much higher installation costs. You should also consider factors like durability and performance when choosing materials.

• Hiring inexperienced contractors: There's no substitute for experience, so choose a professional with a track record in kitchen remodeling.

Avoiding Budget Headaches

If you want to limit budget-related frustrations, start by being realistic. Know what you can afford before getting enamored with ideas that are way outside your price range.

Once you're at the proposal stage, request that a contractor put everything in writing, detailing all the components of the job. Don't just skim over this proposal. In fact, read it twice, looking closely at all the services involved. Make sure there are line items for oft-overlooked steps like getting permits and dust remediation.

Set aside a portion of your budget for contingencies that can arise during a kitchen renovation. While an experienced contractor should keep these to a minimum, sometimes some issues only become evident once demolition has started.

Getting Started on a Kitchen Remodeling Project

If you're ready to begin your kitchen remodel, schedule appointments to meet with contractors who have a solid reputation in Des Moines. In particular, we suggest meeting with kitchen remodeling contractors whose design services are done by an in-house team member.

Before that meeting, consider your existing space and what you want to change in a new remodel.

That includes reflecting on your budget and desired project scope. Do you need a total overhaul to make your kitchen bright and modern? Or do you just need services to install new flooring or new countertops?

Bring your ideas to the consultations, take notes during each conversation, and ask the contractors when you can expect them to follow up with a full estimate and proposal.

With bids in hand and direct experience meeting local firms, you can pick someone to work with and take the first big step in transforming your kitchen.