Ask About a Free Kitchen Estimate

What the call gets you

On the call you can describe your kitchen, ask what a job like yours tends to involve, and find out whether the remodeler is a good fit. A firm price usually takes someone seeing the room, so ask how estimates work and whether there's any charge.

A few things to gather first

• A rough measurement of the room, or photos on your phone
• Your town and zip code
• The age of the house, and anything you know about its wiring and plumbing
• Your wish list, in order of importance
• A budget range, even a loose one. The cost guide can help.
• A pen, because you'll want notes

Good questions to ask

• Do you visit to measure, and is there a free estimate?
• Have you worked in houses of this age?
• What would you want to look at first in a kitchen like mine?
• Will the estimate be written and itemized?
• Who pulls permits, and who's on site each day?
• What's your current wait to start?

Comparing estimates

If you talk with more than one remodeler, ask each to price the same scope, so you're comparing like with like. Check that demolition, disposal, electrical, plumbing and finish work are all listed. A low number with big gaps isn't a bargain. An estimate isn't a contract, either. In Pennsylvania, home improvement jobs over $500 need a written contract, and the how it works page explains what to check before you sign.