9 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Kitchen Remodeler in Wheaton

A new kitchen is one of the biggest projects most homeowners ever take on, so it pays to ask good questions before you sign anything. Whether you live in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Naperville or anywhere else in DuPage County, these are the questions we would ask if we were hiring someone to remodel our own kitchen, along with how we answer them.

1. Will you come to my house to design the kitchen?

A good design starts in your actual kitchen, not from a few photos. Ask whether the designer will come out, measure, and talk through how you cook and live.

Our answer: yes, and it is free. Bill Langford comes to your house for a design visit of about an hour and 15 minutes, and he draws your new kitchen on CAD while you talk.

2. Will I get itemized prices, and how long are they good for?

A single lump-sum number makes it hard to compare or to make changes. Ask to see each part of the job priced on its own, and ask how long the price holds.

Our answer: you get itemized prices on the spot, before Bill leaves, with every item priced separately so you can see where every dollar goes. The prices stay good for one year.

3. Can I talk to past customers?

Reviews are helpful, but a phone call with someone whose kitchen was done by the same company tells you even more.

Our answer: every customer gets a list of more than 300 past customers. Call as many as you like. Over 1,500 kitchens have been remodeled since 1985.

4. How long will the work take, and is there a schedule in writing?

"A few weeks" is not a schedule. Ask for a written calendar, so you know what happens on which day.

Our answer: you get a day-by-day calendar, and the work typically runs 4 to 6 weeks from start to finish. We wrote more about it in How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take?

5. What are my cabinet options?

Cabinets are the biggest part of most kitchen remodels, so ask what lines are available and how they are built. Look closely at the drawers and hinges, because they get used every day.

Our answer: you choose between two cabinet lines, mid-range and high-end. Both come with soft-close drawers and hinges and solid wood dovetail drawer boxes, and delivery is free. You can see them in person at the showroom on Hale Street.

6. How do countertops work?

Some companies only offer one countertop supplier. Ask whether you have a choice, and whether you can bring your own.

Our answer: two countertop fabricators bid on your job, and we coordinate the one you pick. If you already have your own countertops lined up, that is fine too.

7. What happens to my old cabinets, and will there be a dumpster in the driveway?

Cleanup is easy to forget until the old cabinets are piled in the garage. Ask how old materials are removed and when.

Our answer: no dumpster in your driveway. Your old cabinets are hauled away the same day they come out.

8. Who handles the plumbing for the new sink and dishwasher?

Some remodelers leave it to you to find a plumber. Ask whether the plumbing is included.

Our answer: the plumbing for the new sink, faucet, garbage disposal and dishwasher is part of the job. You do not have to hire a separate plumber. We also handle everyday household plumbing on its own, which you can read about on our plumbing page.

9. Can you replace the kitchen window at the same time?

If the window over the sink is drafty or hard to open, the remodel is the best time to replace it. Ask whether the same company can do both, so the window and the cabinets are planned together.

Our answer: yes. Windows are the other half of our name. We install vinyl replacement windows with our own crew, and a garden window or casement window over the sink is a popular choice during a kitchen remodel.

One more tip: visit the showroom

Pictures only go so far. Our showroom at 129 N Hale St in downtown Wheaton is open 8 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week, and you can borrow a door sample to see the color in your own kitchen light. You can also download Bill's free "Let's Get Started" booklet from the home page, which answers most of these questions in his own words.

When you are ready, call Bill at (630) 890-3379 to set up your free design visit. We work in Wheaton and all of DuPage County, plus Aurora, Bartlett, Geneva and St. Charles. You can read the full process on our kitchen remodeling page.