Finding a qualified cabinet/countertop company is important to providing a stress-free experience with your new construction or remodeling project. How do you go about finding the right one? Here are 8 questions to ask your cabinet/countertop consultant when you are determining which company to work with.
#1 – How long have you been in business? This can help you understand how much experience the contractor has, and in many cases, experience speaks louder than other credentials. At Top Shop Countertops, you could say we’ve been around the block a long time, having been in business for over 25 years.
# 2 – Can You Provide Us with A List of References? Having at least three references for projects you’ve completed gives the opportunity for you to connect with these references to see how their experience was. If your contractor can’t provide you with a list of references, we would raise the caution flag.
# 3 – What is Your Warranty or Guarantee That You Offer? Find out how the contractor stands behind his/her service or product. According to the article “Cabinet Warranties – 4 Questions to Ask”, “Warranty length is generally related to the price of the cabinets. The more expensive the cabinets, the longer the warranty. In general, warranties run from 5 to 25 years.”(Wible, 2022)
#4 – Are You Licensed and Insured? A licensed contractor is bound to comply with state building procedures and standards. If a property owner hires a contractor that is not licensed, they may not be protected by state policies. Having a licensed contractor protects you in the end.
#5 What Does Your Design Process Look Like? Will the contractor help you with the design process? Will you be able to see the design on paper before you start? If you have design changes how does the change process work?
#6 – How will they contact or communicate with you? Make sure you understand how the contractor intends on communicating with you. How often once the project starts will they update you? Will it be weekly? How will they update you? Will it be by phone, text, email, or in person? Clearly understand. Communication is key in any project.
#7 – How Are Your On-Line Reviews/Testimonials? Word of mouth is definitely the best form of advertising (or worst). In today’s world, digital word of mouth is just as important as in-person word of mouth. Why Online Reviews are Important for Customers & Businesses says that “The vast majority of consumers (93%) say online reviews impact their purchasing decisions. So it’s not an understatement to say that online reviews can make or break your company’s success.” (Sickler, 2022) If a company doesn’t have a lot of reviews, or if the reviews are low, this could definitely impact how you feel about hiring the company for your project. Trust is important in any relationship. Visit Google, Houzz, and HomeAdvisor to check out reviews. You might even find local Facebook groups helpful when looking for recommendations. Just ask, most people are happy to share their experiences.
#8 – How Far Out Are You Booking? Know what the contractor’s timeline is, and make sure this is clearly defined for your project. You must also be aware that because of circumstances out of the contractor’s control, the timeline could change. In 2021, according to Daily Manufacturing Company, “Most stock cabinets are taking 3 to 4 weeks. Most custom cabinets are taking 14 to 16 weeks.” (This is how long it takes, 2021) If your countertop or accessories for your countertop are being specially ordered, you may have to wait. Be patient and flexible.
Now that you have this checklist, “How To Choose the Right Cabinet/Countertop Contractor for Your Next Home Project ”, it’s important that you follow through with it and qualify the contractor. If you do your homework, the final test results will show that you did. As a company that has been around for 25 years, Top Shop Countertops is providing a BONUS TIP: Find out if the company you are looking into is specialized or do they “do everything”. Think about it, if you had a rare disease would you rather see a specialist that is an expert in that particular disease, or would you rather visit a general practitioner? Having a company that specializes in cabinets/countertops can be detrimental to your final project. Top Shop Countertops focuses on just that, countertops and cabinets. We have technology specific to the industry. We know the trends. We know the ins and outs of countertops and can use our expertise and experience to the customer with the best encounter (no “pun” intended) ever.
For more information on Top Shop Countertops, visit the website at https://countertopsgreenbay.com/, or stop in person, the showroom is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at 2170 Speaker Court. Check out Top Shop Countertops online reviews here.