Contractors don’t have, shall we say…the greatest reputations. There’s the “they never show up when they say they will” to the “won’t give me a straight answer” types. We’re not saying all contractors are like this, but when it comes to hiring a professional to oversee your kitchen renovation, it’s unfortunately a common enough experience to get someone who isn’t delivering A++ service.
Which is why we at Isla Porter began a partnership with Matriarchy Build, a home services platform, which, among other things, matches homeowners and designers with pre-vetted female-identifying contractors. ICYMI, Isla Porter is a female-founded company. It’s important for us to work with others who are also attempting to break down barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Here’s what our co-founder, Sharon Dranko, has to say: “We’re excited to collaborate with Matriarchy Build and their incredible network of female-identifying experts to offer a more inclusive, thoughtful approach to the renovation process — one that celebrates both design and the skilled tradeswomen behind it.”
[Pause for applause.]
So, we sat down with Lacey Soslow, Matriarchy Build’s co-founder, to demystify the process of hiring a contractor, and give you some tips for finding the right professional for your renovation and cabinetry installation. (Hint: It is a bit like dating.)
But let’s get one (probably obvious) thing out of the way…
What, Exactly, Is a General Contractor?
Essentially, Lacey explains, they’re the person overseeing a construction project. “If you're working with someone on the smaller side, they might actually be on-site doing the work, but more often, they are managing all your subcontractors — think plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.” A general contractor may also:
- Create and maintain a schedule for all work and installations.
- Oversee ordering and delivery of materials.
- Manage permitting.
- Act as quality control for the project.
Matriarchy Build’s Best Practices for Finding and Hiring a Great Contractor for Your Kitchen Renovation
Vet Your Potential Contractor
“Candidly,” Lacey tells us, “the reason we launched Matriarchy Build’s general contractor matchmaking is because it's so hard and time-consuming to find someone.” Yes, you can call a bunch of contractors, have them inspect your site, get the quote, and then go through a vetting process — but that takes a lot of time and money. When you work with Matriarchy Build to find a professional, their team has already checked the individual’s licensing credentials and liability insurance. In addition, they’ve researched the contractor’s portfolio and their online reputation. But, the most important part, says Lacey, is that Matriarchy Build does an interview with every contractor they bring into the fold to make sure they have the right qualifications and communication skills. And on that note…
Do a Vibe Check
Lacey says the “vibe check” with a potential contractor is paramount. You want to get a feel for the contractor’s communication style (and that it meets your expectations) and you want to evaluate their bedside manner and energy. On the flipside, homeowners and designers should understand that a potential contractor is also vetting you — they want to see that you have realistic ideas and that you treat tradespeople with respect.
Align on Budget
“Having a budget alignment from the get-go really sets a project up for success,” explains Lacey. That said, there can be unpleasant surprises in construction. Ask your potential contractor what problems might typically occur and how that may affect your budget.
Ask About Mistakes
When you’re interviewing a general contractor, it can be useful to ask how they deal with errors, says Lacey: “Almost all projects have something go wrong, and no contractor tells you, ‘Oh, we never have problems.’ But when a contractor says to me, ‘We messed that up, but we already fixed it,’ and we honestly communicated about it there was transparency — that’s a really good sign that you’re dealing with a person who is realistic and honest.”
Don’t Go With the First Bid
“Best practice, you’re getting a couple of quotes and meeting with at least two different contractors. The good thing about Matriarchy Build is if we're pre-vetting people and then introducing you to one or two general contractors, we've done some of that legwork.”
Gut-Check Your Pricing
If you’ve already had plenty of experience with kitchen design and find that a contractor’s project fee fits your expectations, that’s great. But if you’re new to this and want a second opinion on cost, Matriarchy Build offers 1:1 consultations, independent of any contractor, to offer feedback on project details.
If you’re ready to get matched with a Matriarchy Build contractor, and are local to any of the areas below, all you have to do is fill out a form to get the process rolling.
Matriarchy Build is currently matching contractors in:
- Austin, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- NYC, NY
- West Chester County, NY
- Hudson Valley, NY
- Fairfield County + New Haven County, CT
- Washington DC + Bethesda, MD
- Fairfax County, VA
- Baltimore, MD
- Seattle, WA
- Portland, OR
- Chicago, IL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Twin Cities, MN
- Raleigh-Durham, Chapel Hill, NC
