When talking to a remodeling contractor, start with the budget – Seattle Times

Q: Im ready to hire someone for a kitchen remodel, but Im not sure what information I need to share with prospective contractors to hire the right one. Can you help?

A: When looking for the right contractor for your project, there are several topics that will arise during your first conversation, including their availability, how to begin the process and what youre looking for.

One topic that often gets overlooked is the budget dont make this mistake. If you want the right contractor and not just the cheapest youll need to get serious about how much youre willing to spend.

If this is your first time working with a remodeling contractor, feeling hesitant to discuss your budget is understandable. But its the first discussion you should have, and heres why:

Contractors know how much its likely to cost. A good contractor has enough experience to establish a good starting budget. They know how much it generally costs to complete a project based on past remodels, and while each remodel is unique, the contractors experience plus the clients budget will tell them if the project is a good fit for both parties.

Contractors can point you in the right direction. Most contractors specialize in types of remodels based on area, design and budget. A contractor who tells you that your budget is too small may specialize in the higher-end market. If they do, dont be discouraged and continue your search. Its worth your time to talk to them because they may recommend another contractor if you have a workable budget.

Discussing the budget will save you time. Its easy to design your dream kitchen with a contractor without a budget. But an hour-long budget conversation may lead you to conclude that the cost to complete the project is twice what youre willing to spend. You and the contractor can save a lot of time by starting with that conversation.

Its not a negotiation. Clients reluctant to disclose their budget often believe theyre entering a negotiation and dont want to show their cards. However, a good contractor has set costs for labor and overhead. The only thing that comes close to a negotiation is selecting materials to fit the budget.

Many factors go into planning a remodel and its safe to say that a starting budget may change once planning has been finalized, but its good to start with a number. Talking about the budget early will establish trust and clear communication with the contractor that will help you complete your remodel without breaking the bank.

Nathan Coons is owner and operator of Coons Construction LLC, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS), and HomeWork is the groups weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question youd like answered by one of MBAKSs more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

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When talking to a remodeling contractor, start with the budget - Seattle Times