If you want to refinish your kitchen cabinets, you’ll get the best results by hiring a painting company that offers cabinet painting. Though an avid DIYer with the spare time could attempt this kitchen renovation, a professional painter will have years of experience, knowledge and the right tools and supplies to get it done efficiently and with the best results.
Hiring a contractor to work on your home can feel like a daunting task. We’ve all heard stories of someone getting ripped off during home renovations. How can you be sure that the cabinet refinishing company you hire is going to do a good job at a fair price? Here are some tips for choosing a reputable cabinet refinishing company:
Ask for referrals.
The first place to start when hiring anyone to work in your home, is to ask your personal network of friends and family for referrals. Do they have a good experience with a cabinet painting company? Is there a contractor they could recommend? Word of mouth is a very powerful referral tool. If someone you trust is happy with their workmanship and service, it’s worth giving that company a call.
Do some online research.
If you’re not fortunate enough to get a short list of referrals from people you know, get online and start looking for cabinet painting companies in your area. Be careful not to put too much stock in online reviews. Though they can be helpful, they are not always accurate and should not be the sole reason to hire a company. When searching online, look to see if the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau or another third-party organization like RenovationFind.
Ask for a business license and insurance.
Never hire a company that doesn’t have a proper business license, proper liability insurance and WCB coverage. Hiring a licensed, bonded and insured contractor protects you as the homeowner. Not only will it ensure your cabinet refinishing job will be done by a qualified professional, having insurance means you will not be liable if there is an accident, damage or injury on the job site.
Check their references.
Any reputable cabinet refinishing contractor will be able to provide a few references from previous or current customers. Talk to these prior customers and ask about their experience working with the company. Did they do a good job? Was the experience positive? You can also ask the contractor to see photos of their completed work.
Ask about their cabinet painting process.
It’s important to know how the painter will do the job. Will they sand or chemically remove the current finish? What kind of paint or stain will they use? Do they apply it with a brush or use a sprayer? How will they refinish the cabinet boxes and exposed panels? You can also ask them to describe how they will go about the project, how it will disrupt your use of the kitchen and how long they expect it to take.
Get a written contract.
You should always get a detailed contract in writing before the work begins. This contract should include every detail pertaining to the job including the cost for materials, labour and other expenses. Some contracts will include a work schedule, so you have an idea of when the job will be complete. Most companies will not ask you to pay for 100% of the job upfront but most will require a deposit. Do not pay for the entire job until it is finished. A reputable contractor will not expect you to.