Are your kitchen cabinets worn out and beat up? Then it’s time for an upgrade and a professional cabinet refinishing service can help. The question is, with so many options to choose from, how do you find the one that’s the right fit for you?
Here are some tips to follow during your search, so you make the right choice:
Read Online Reviews About Cabinet Refinishing Services
This is an easy first step to take and will help you make a short list of cabinet refinishing services to consider. These reviews can offer a wealth of information, even including before and after pictures, so you can see the quality of the work.
Not only will you learn about how each cabinet refinishing service company can transform your cabinets, but what it’s like to work with them. Were they on time, easy to get a hold of, affordably priced? Oftentimes, reviews cover these areas, so you get a full picture of what the experience is like with a particular company.
Besides review sites, you can also look to the Better Business Bureau for a particular company’s ratings. You’ll be able to see if they are accredited with the BBB and if there are any complaints against them. Again, this will give you more insight into their reputation, so you can make an informed choice.
Ask the Right Questions About Their Cabinet Refinishing Process
Once you have a short list of cabinet refinishing services to consider, call each one. Many offer free consultations, so you can learn more about them, what they’d recommend for your space, and what their services cost.
During your conversation, be sure to ask them about their process. For instance, find out whether they’ll be working in your home, or taking the drawer fronts and doors to their shop. If it’s the latter, then there will be less down time and hassle in your kitchen.
Also find out about how they will protect other surfaces in your kitchen, what their clean up process includes, and how much experience they have in cabinet refinishing. It’s also important to ask about the products they use, how they will prep your cabinets, and what color choices you have.
Finally, inquire about the durability of their techniques and how long you can expect it to last. You want to hire a company that can ensure you’ll have beautiful-looking cabinets for years to come.
Get References & Samples of Their Refinishing Work
A reputable cabinet refinishing service will be happy to provide references you can contact and also samples of their work. If a particular contractor seems reluctant to give these, it could be a warning sign. They might be new to cabinet refinishing or perhaps don’t have many happy customers to refer you to. In either case, you don’t want to put your cabinets into their hands if they’re unwilling to show you past work.
Find Out if They’re a Bonded & Insured Cabinet Refinishing Service
It’s critical the cabinet refinishing service you do hire has the proper bonding, insurance, and licensing. Otherwise, if a technician or worker gets injured on the job at your home, you could be held liable.
Not all refinishing contractors take the proper steps to become insured and licensed, so it’s key to ask about this when you’re considering which one to hire. If they don’t have the proper coverage in place, you should cross them off the list.
Assess Their Estimate for Refinishing Your Cabinets
Once you’ve gone through the process of learning about each cabinet refinishing service provider, you can then assess their cost estimates. Most provide free quotes based on your specific project, so you can best compare costs and also hire someone you’re comfortable with financially.
Some also offer financing options, which are important to find out about too. Keep in mind, you don’t want to go with the lowest bid if they’re going to cut corners.
In addition, when you’re reviewing estimates, make sure they stipulate what’s included, such as the type of products they’ll be using and any upcharges for additional services, like antiquing or glazing your cabinets. It should also include a timeframe for how long the project will take once started.
Find Out About Guarantees If There’s a Problem
What happens if you’re not happy with the final result? It’s critical to ask this question, even though it can feel awkward. There are many variables involved in the cabinet refinishing process and mistakes happen. It’s therefore important to find out how they will fix it, what any warranties or guarantees cover, and for how long.
Refinishing your cabinets can save you as much as half the cost of replacement. At the end of the project, you’ll have cabinets that look like they were just installed as long as you hire a reputable and experienced refinishing service. Even better, you might have money left over in your budget to upgrade other areas, like restoring granite counters or refinishing hardwood floors.
If you’d like to add N-Hance to your list of cabinet refinishing services to consider, call your local team today at (855) 642-6230 to set up a FREE design consultation.