Understanding the General Contractor's Role in a Kitchen Renovation
Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009
When hiring a general contractor, you are turning over the planning and management of your kitchen renovation to a professional. Here's a detailed look at what this person should do.
The general contractor's role can be quite extensive, as it involves all the planning, hiring and oversight for a home improvement project. Make sure the contractor you hire has plenty of experience fitting all these pieces together.
About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.
Planning is Key Contractor Role
The general contractor is the one who oversees the plan for how the kitchen will be torn apart and put back together again. This starts with evaluating the site, preparing and/or evaluating the layout and determining the best way to achieve your goals. Talk with the contractor about:- How you use the kitchen--do you need two cooking and meal prep areas, an island or an adjacent breakfast room?
- Your design tastes--do you prefer a simple design with minimal fuss or a fancy kitchen with heavy styling?
- Your home improvement budget--what kind of kitchen renovation can you afford? The contractor should provide options for staying within your budget while still getting as much style and functionality as possible.
Job Site Management
Once your kitchen renovation is underway, the general contractor will be responsible for scheduling work and overseeing workers, ensuring materials arrive and are in good working order and troubleshooting any structural or design problems. The general contractor should be on site most days and available to answer your questions about:- The kitchen renovation schedule - is the work proceeding as planned? Are there any surprises?
- The budget - are costs coming in as expected? (If not, the contractor should let you know in writing and give you a chance to consider cost saving alternatives).
The general contractor's role can be quite extensive, as it involves all the planning, hiring and oversight for a home improvement project. Make sure the contractor you hire has plenty of experience fitting all these pieces together.
About the Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years.
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