How to Choose a Kitchen Remodel Contractor

Updated November 12, 2026

Asking neighbors and local forums who they used is a good start, but a name alone won't tell you if a contractor fits your project. This guide covers what to ask, how to compare quotes, and what to check before you sign. It works for general remodelers, kitchen and bath companies, and cabinet companies.

Decide what kind of company you need

General contractor or remodeler. Best when the job touches several trades: cabinets, counters, plumbing, electrical, flooring, and maybe walls. Angi says a general contractor usually adds 10% to 20% of the project cost for running the job [1].
Kitchen and bath company. Often designs and installs cabinets and counters, and brings in trades for the rest. Ask which work it does with its own crew.
Cabinet company or cabinet maker. Best when the main work is new, custom, or refaced cabinets. See custom cabinets and cabinet refacing.

Questions to ask every contractor

What is included? Demolition, cabinets, counters, plumbing, electrical, flooring, permits, and cleanup should each be listed or marked as excluded.
Who pulls the permits? In Milwaukee, for example, building permits for a one- or two-family home go to the homeowner doing their own work or to a contractor licensed by the State of Wisconsin and the City [2]. Rules differ by city, so ask.
Who does the electrical and plumbing? Milwaukee requires a licensed electrician to get electrical permits, and a homeowner or licensed plumber to get plumbing permits for a new kitchen [2]. Ask who will do this work on your job.
What is the schedule? Ask how long your kitchen will be out of use, and how long cabinets take to arrive. Custom cabinets can take 6 to 8 weeks to build [1].
How are changes priced? Get every change in writing, with a price, before the work starts.
How are payments split? Ask what is due at signing, during the job, and at the end. Tie payments to finished stages of work.
What warranty covers the work? Ask what the installer covers and what the cabinet or appliance maker covers.
Can I see past work? Ask for photos of similar kitchens or a recent customer you can call.

How to compare quotes

Kitchen quotes can differ by thousands of dollars because they cover different work. Before you compare totals:

Line up each quote item by item.
Check that cabinets are listed by type (stock, semi-custom, or custom) and linear feet. Angi's 2026 ranges run from $100 per linear foot for stock up to $1,200 for custom [3].
Check that countertop material and square footage match.
Check that the same appliances are included, or that each quote leaves them out.
Compare totals with published ranges. Angi's 2026 national average for a kitchen remodel is $26,996, and its Midwest range is $10,300 to $34,300 [1]. See our kitchen remodel cost guide.

Red flags

A price with no written scope.
A large payment up front with no clear schedule.
Pressure to sign the same day.
A suggestion to skip permits for work that needs them. In Des Moines, starting permit-required work without a permit can double the permit fee [4].
No address, license, or registration you can check.

Check the contractor yourself

Ask what license or registration the contractor holds and look it up with the agency that issued it. Ask for proof of insurance. Read reviews from more than one place. A referral is not an endorsement, so check any contractor yourself before you sign.

FAQ

How many quotes should I get for a kitchen remodel?

At least two or three on the same scope, so you can compare like with like. If one quote is far lower, check whether it leaves out permits, electrical, plumbing, or cleanup. Line up each quote item by item before you decide.

Should the contractor or the homeowner pull the permit?

It depends on the city and who does the work. In Milwaukee, building permits for one- and two-family homes go to the homeowner doing their own work or to a licensed contractor [2]. Angi notes that a general contractor can often secure permits for you [1]. Agree on who does it, in writing.

See your city's permit notes or request quotes from independent contractors.

We're a referral service, not a contractor, and independent contractors may pay us for referrals.

Sources

Angi, "How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? [2026 Data]," updated September 4, 2026. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-should-kitchen-remodel-cost.htm
City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, "One- and Two-Family Homes Alterations and Remodeling," revised March 13, 2025. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://city.milwaukee.gov/RemodelingProjects-oneandtwo-familyhomes.pdf
Angi, "How Much Does Cabinet Installation Cost? [2026 Data]," updated October 16, 2026. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://www.angi.com/articles/wood-kitchen-cabinets-types-costs-and-installation.htm
City of Des Moines, Ordinance No. 16,224, Sec. 26-139, passed February 20, 2023. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://councildocs.dmgov.org/ordinances/16,224.pdf