November 24, 2025

You’ve decided to remodel your kitchen. You’ve built a budget, looked for design inspiration, and you’re ready to get started and find the contractor who will take you through the process. You’ve heard that how you work with your contractor can determine exactly how stressful your kitchen remodel will be, but with so many contractors vying for your business, it’s hard to figure out who you can trust with this investment. However, by taking the time at the beginning, you can find a contractor who is the perfect fit and will deliver the results you’re hoping for.

Built in white cabinets in a luxury kitchen remodel.

Start Your Search with Trusted Recommendations

The first step is finding who to ask. You want a local contractor with a good reputation. Local online groups are a good place to start, but the amount of information you get can be overwhelming. One person will gush about a contractor, and the next comment will gush about another. If your local groups are like most, every glowing review will be followed by a scathing rebuttal. Long story short, local groups can be a great place to start, but you likely don’t know most of these people. Get a few names to research further from that big pool, but then ask people you know and trust in the area. If you’ve had any local friends, family, or neighbors recently remodel their kitchen, ask for their recommendations. Between those two local sources, compile a short list of contractors you want to consider.

Check Credentials Before You Commit

Some homeowners don’t think about doing this until the end of the process, but realistically, the very first thing you do with every contractor on your short list is to verify the bare minimum requirements. This means:

  • Checking to make sure the contractor is licensed,
  • Checking to make sure the contractor is insured,
  • Checking to make sure the contractor has a real, verifiable local address, and finally,
  • Checking to make sure the contractor has a verifiable online presence. Some contractors invest more in their websites and social media than others, but you should be able to find them in some way.

It should go without saying that you should never hire a contractor who is not licensed and insured, as that’s a huge risk to you as a homeowner, but it’s also important to look for documentation that ensures your contractor has a real, local business presence.

Review Past Work to See If Their Style Fits Yours

Once you’ve checked the basics, it’s time to determine if the contractor is the right fit for you. A good place to start is their portfolio of completed work. Many contractors will put their portfolios online, either on their websites or on their social media profiles. Those who don’t will usually provide photographs of their work if you ask. This is the work the contractor is most proud of, so take a close look. Your contractor may be great at what they do – but do you like what they do? Is it the right look for your home? Would you be happy if that were your finished product? Does their work fit your vision? If you are hoping for a traditional look and your contractor is showcasing their sleek and modern results (or vice versa), it may not be a fit.

Choose a Contractor Who Communicates Clearly

The biggest headache many homeowners face with their contractors is communication. You absolutely need to know that this will not be an issue with who you select. You need a contractor who will be straightforward and transparent about the process, who will clearly explain what you need to know, and who will be available when you need answers. In short, you need a contractor who will communicate effectively, and that starts during the decision-making process. Did your contractor respond to your inquiry in a timely manner? Did they answer your questions or brush you off? You aren’t looking for a best friend, but you should still feel as though your communication styles match.

Spot the Difference Between Realistic Promises and Red Flags

Until you sign on the dotted line, your contractor is trying to win your business, and they know that every homeowner wants to make sure they’ll get good results for a good price. However, there’s a line between realistic promises and answers that seem too good to be true. Do you trust your contractor to deliver what they’re promising? The estimate, timeline, and transparency about the process should sound good to you – staying on time and on budget is important – but be very wary of a contractor who seems inauthentic in what they can actually deliver.

Always Compare Multiple Contractors Before Deciding

Even if you gel with the first contractor you meet, you want to make sure you have something to compare them to. Meet with at least 2-3 contractors so you can not only compare estimates, but also compare the vibe you get and how you think you can work together.

Does the Contract Look Right?

Once you have a good feeling about a contractor, make sure the contract itself looks right before you make that final commitment.The contract should be thorough and include the full scope of work, including permits and disposal (if necessary), the contractor’s responsibilities for completing the work, the estimated timeline, the materials, and the payment terms. Most contractors will request a partial payment upfront, a mid-project payment, and then a final payment upon completion. Be very wary of a contractor who insists on full payment before beginning. If the contract itself makes you nervous, there is no shame in taking a moment to review it, asking your contractor to explain or verify certain parts, or even taking a step back to look for someone else. That contract is there to protect both you and the contractor, and it shouldn’t make you uneasy.

The right contractor makes a significant difference in not only how your project will turn out, but also how you will feel throughout the process. If you don’t feel as though you really can trust your contractor, you will be stressed throughout the entire remodel. If you trust your contractor, you will know, even when your kitchen feels chaotic, that they are committed to doing a great job for you. Take the time to make sure you find your perfect fit.

Choosing the right contractor can make or break your remodel. At Doors & Drawers of NW Ohio, we’ve built our reputation on trust, quality craftsmanship, and clear communication. Let us show you how stress-free a kitchen transformation can be—schedule your consultation today.