12 Questions to Ask Any Remodeler Before You Sign
Use this on us too. If a contractor gets cagey on any of these, you just saved yourself a bad remodel.
Who handles permits, insurance requirements, and specialty trades?
Ask who pulls required permits, how regulated work is handled, and what documentation applies to your project before work begins.
Who is actually doing the work in my home?
Ask who handles plumbing, electrical, tile, and carpentry, how those trades are managed, and who is accountable for their work.
What does your warranty cover, and for how long?
Most remodelers offer one year on labor. Ask for it in writing and ask what's excluded. Ours is ten years on workmanship.
What's your payment schedule?
A deposit is normal. Paying for the whole job before work starts is not. Payments should follow progress on the job.
How long will my kitchen or bathroom be out of service?
You need a real number, not 'a few weeks.' Ask what happens to your timeline if a cabinet order is late.
Who do I call when there's a problem at 4pm on a Tuesday?
Get a name and a number. If the answer is an office line or a portal, you will spend your remodel chasing people.
Is this bid all-inclusive, or are there allowances?
Allowances are where bids go sideways. A low bid with a $2,000 tile allowance is not a low bid.
What's not in this price?
Permits, demolition, dumpster, plumbing relocation, electrical upgrades, paint. Ask specifically about each one.
Have you done this exact kind of job before?
A tile shower with a curbless entry is a different skill than a tub-to-shower swap. Ask to see photos of the same work, not just any work.
Can I talk to someone whose job you finished recently?
Not a curated list from three years ago. Recent means this year. Any contractor with nothing to hide can give you one.
Will you pull the permits?
If a contractor asks you to pull the permit in your name, the liability moves to you. That's a red flag.
What happens to my house at the end of each day?
Dust containment, floor protection, and cleanup are either part of how a crew works or they aren't. Ask before, not after.
Here's where we stand on all twelve
We coordinate required permits and qualified specialty trades. Dedicated trade partners work under Revived Spaces project oversight. Kitchens and bathrooms are our specialty. We provide a written ten-year workmanship warranty, progress-based payment terms, detailed bids, and a real local contact at (913) 335-0385.
Ask us all twelve. Then get a real number.
Text photos of your kitchen or bathroom and we'll send good, better, and best pricing back.