1. What Exactly Is in the Scope?
Ask for a written scope that lists every item: cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, painting, appliance installation and disposal of old materials. Just as important, ask what is not included. If you read the list and something you expected is missing, ask now. Our guide to what a written proposal should include shows how to compare scopes.
2. Have All Selections Been Made and Written Down?
Cabinet door style, finish, countertop material, hardware, faucet, sink, tile and lighting should be listed by name or number. Where you have not chosen yet, ask how allowances work: what amount is set aside, what happens if you pick something above or below it, and when the decision has to be made so the schedule does not slip.
3. What Are the Lead Times?
Ask for lead times on cabinets, countertops, appliances and specialty items, and ask for them in writing. Ask what happens if an item is back-ordered. Do not assume a start date is firm until the products are ordered or confirmed. See our kitchen remodel timeline guide for the general order of the phases.
4. Who Handles Permits, Approvals and Inspections?
Some kitchen work may require permits and inspections, and condos and HOA communities often require approval before work starts. Rules vary by city, county and association. Check with your local building department and your HOA or condo association about what applies to your project, and ask your remodeler to explain in writing who is responsible for each step. If you are unsure, ask the building department directly.
5. How Will We Handle Changes?
Changes happen: you spot a better layout, or something unexpected shows up behind a wall. Ask how a change is documented, how it is priced, and whether you must approve it in writing before the work proceeds. A written change process protects both sides.
6. How Does Payment Work?
Ask for the payment schedule in writing and how it relates to the stages of the work. Make sure you understand what is due at signing, during the project and at completion, and what the final payment is tied to.
7. What Will Daily Life Look Like?
Ask about work hours, who will be at your home, how the area will be protected from dust, where materials will be stored, and how the cleanup will be handled each day. Ask about parking, access, and how pets and children should be kept clear. If you live in a condo, ask about elevator reservations and noise rules from your association.
8. How Will We Communicate?
Ask who your main contact is, how you will get updates, and what the best way is to reach someone with a question. Agree on a regular check-in so that small questions do not turn into surprises.
9. What Happens at the End?
Ask how the final walkthrough works, how a punch list is created and tracked, and what warranty information, if any, is provided in writing. Do not rely on verbal promises; ask for them on paper.
10. Is the Plan Still Right?
Before demolition, stand in the kitchen and walk through your daily routine with the plan in hand. Where will you prep, cook, store groceries, and use the refrigerator? Where does the trash go? If the layout does not work in your head, it is easier to change it now than after it is built.
A Simple Pre-Demolition Checklist
- Written scope with inclusions and exclusions
- Selections listed by name or number
- Lead times and expected schedule in writing
- Permit, HOA and condo approvals understood
- Change and payment process in writing
- Daily logistics and contact plan agreed
Planning a kitchen of your own? Browse recent kitchen projects, read about kitchen remodeling, or contact UG Renovations to talk it through.