During a renovation, your success hinges on making great decisions, and this usually comes down to hiring the right team for the job. From the design phase to the physical renovations themselves, each member of your team has a special skill set they bring to the table.

Here we lay out a brief description of each position and the role they fill in your kitchen remodel. We will cover these roles in more detail within subsequent sections of this guide.

Design

Kitchen Designer

Your first point of contact is your kitchen designer. Though as you’ll soon find out, this crucial role handles more than just sketches. The design consultant will guide you through choosing a kitchen layout, cabinet and appliance brands, and the best materials to fit your ideas and budget. Custom kitchens are price flexible, so this adds quite a bit of value.

In a comprehensive approach, your kitchen designer is also your main point of contact with all suppliers and contractors. Selecting the right designer can really make or break your renovation! Before you make a decision, there are two main questions to ask yourself. First, is this person capable of designing a kitchen which is both well-functioning and aesthetically pleasing? Second, will they listen to your needs and provide the knowledge you need? Refer to our “Finding a Kitchen Designer” guide for help in choosing the right designer.

Suppliers

You will need to deal with a number of different suppliers for your kitchen install. Each component to the kitchen is unique and having a knowledge of industry best practices is very helpful.

Cabinet Supplier

The main supplier you will deal with is the cabinet manufacturer. Some people choose to work with a local cabinet maker, which can be very convenient but also high risk. This is because one person or a very small team builds all parts themselves. When your cabinets are produced in a factory, operations are on a much greater scale, but you won’t be able to oversee the process yourself. To minimize any mistakes, all details must be communicated to the factory clearly. In short, it’s a tradeoff- more interaction but limited operations with local companies, and less direct contact but more stringent production in a factory.

Cabinet suppliers in the US, both well-known and small brands, tend to specialize in more traditional country styles. These cabinets are more detailed than modern styles and often sit in a full frame. The door styles typically have panel detailing, crown moldings, and wood finishes like cherry and oak or a white paint.

Modern cabinets are thinner, slimmer and more streamlined in appearance. They leave out details that aren’t necessary and feature either simple handles or a handle-free door altogether. Common finishes are wood veneers, laminates and lacquers. European brands are leaders in modern kitchens.

Appliance Brands

While it is recommended to choose appliances from the same manufacturer, this is not a requirement. You should first determine your appliance budget when pricing your kitchen. This will help you figure out which appliance brands are within reach. Refrigerators are the most used kitchen appliance, so be sure to choose a great brand that serves your household needs and will last a long time. Also read into appliance warranties and consider which ones are appealing to your taste and style.

American appliance brands are often more affordable and larger than European makes and many quality brands exist on the domestic level. We are also accustomed to simple options like “bake” or “broil” for the oven, or “high” and “low” power settings for the microwave and burners. European appliance settings are more technical, such as microwaves measured in watts (ie. 150w, 900w cook settings).

European appliances are more sleek and modern in their design. They are designed to work smarter and more efficiently. German and Italian brands have a great reputation for quality, which along with the transport involved, will come with a higher price tag. Another drawback of U.S. appliances is the lack of choice. European appliances may be built in or freestanding, come in a large range of sizes, and offer many more colors and material choices.

Countertop and Backsplash Fabricators

Whether granite, laminate or quartz, your countertop supplier should provide a sizable sample (even if you have to pay for it) to give you a true feel for how the new counter will look. Your fabricator should be very specific about fees for cutouts around the sink, faucet, and cooktop, as well as detailing around the edge and backsplash and removal of old counters. They should also specify material thickness and finish. Be sure you are confident in your fabricators ability to provide accurate measurements.

Some materials, like stainless steel and laminates, may be used for both the countertop and backsplash. Tile is a more common option and offers lots of price flexibility. Keep in mind that backsplashes are now seen as more of a design feature than utilitarian, so look at samples of a fabricator’s previous backsplash work to help make a decision. Also check with them for a time estimate. For all materials supplied by the fabricator, inquire on warranties.

Flooring Supplier

The rules for choosing a kitchen flooring supplier are a little different than for the rest of your floors. There is generally more freedom in material: colorful stone or ceramic tiles, vinyl, laminate, even certain carpets. It really helps to find a supplier who provides design software so you can easily visualize your possible choices. If your supplier does kitchens and baths, you can install matching floors in these areas. If you go with wood floors, be cautious in this area - budget suppliers often sell cheap foreign wood with high levels of formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals.

Your flooring supplier should be very knowledgeable and consult with you about your available choices. They can help suggest which one best fits into your home and personal taste, while also providing guidance on the proper care of your floors. For pricing, pick a brand that works with you to offer good quality at a cost you can afford.

Contractors

Now it’s time for all parts to come together! Once your new kitchen is ready to install, you’ll need to have the right contractors in place to get the job done. Again, communication is crucial here! Between scheduling each aspect of the renovation to dealing with any follow-ups, your contractors should stay on the ball.

General contractor

Your general contractor handles the bulk of installs and finding the right person can ease a lot of your stress. You will be inviting this person into your home to spend quite a bit of time there and it is crucial to build trust with them.

Often your designer can refer you to a general contractor to complete the job, but this depends on the company you work with. You can also simply ask around to see who your friends and family recommend- referrals are probably the best way to connect with a competent contractor. However, you should also check their credentials to see if they are licensed with local and state municipalities. Are they members of any associations such as NKBA or NARI? Narrow down your list and compare price estimates to make a final decision.

Plumber

There is a good chance you have a plumber in your network already, or that your kitchen design company supplies one. If not, the rules are basically the same for hiring a contractor- ask for referrals, get estimates, and hire a plumber you trust. Go over your plumber’s availability for the job since it will involve lots of hours if you reroute your piping. And don’t forget to ask about your warranty.

Electrician

An electrician will be able to wire any new lighting, outlets or switches. When you choose an electrician, do not get hung up on their hourly rates. It is better to pay more for someone with all the right tools and experience. Your lighting jobs might be basic, or they could include complex recessed lighting throughout the kitchen and inside/under cabinets. Try and bundle jobs together to save money.

Optional

There are a few more experts that you may choose to consult during your kitchen remodel. The following roles are optional and depend on your specific project.

Project Manager

For more involved renovations it’s a great option to have access to a project manager. If the company you purchase your kitchen from offers this service to you, the project manager can save a lot of time by handling the communication, scheduling, and unforeseen challenges that may arise. Particularly if you are new to the whole renovating process, an experienced project manager or team who understands the industry can prevent much of the hassle you might go through coordinating it yourself.

Architect

For structural issues such as adding or removing walls, be sure to bring an architect on board to make sure everything is safe and up to code. Architects are trained in engineering and design theory and can also optimize your design blueprint to solve complex mathematical problems. They share much of their skill set with designers but have more academic training, and are thus more expensive to hire.

Interior Designer

An interior designer arranges elements throughout your space for a consistent, functional and appealing look overall. This service is especially useful if you need help pulling everything together in the common areas when the kitchen is renovated. After consulting on your goals and requirements in the home, the interior designer will choose and arrange furniture that creates a harmonious feel in the space. They will also select appropriate color pallets and decorative items that add character to the home. The interior designer needs to have knowledge of building codes and regulations.

Lighting Designer

You might also want a little more creative expertise when it comes to the use of light within the kitchen and choose to hire a lighting designer. There are many unexpected uses of light that may be implemented in the kitchen to enhance both mood and safety. These lighting specialists are trained to create ambience by adding strategic points of light to the ceiling, inside and under cabinets, toe kick, and backsplash. There are lots of choices to consider here that could use a specialist’s input: dimmer switches, which lights are grouped in a circuit, and light temperature, to name a few. An added bonus - well placed lighting on prep surfaces might save a finger!

Having a great team for the entire renovation not only saves you the stress of managing every detail yourself, it can also move along much faster and more smoothly under the guidance of experienced professionals. Now all that’s left to do is enjoy your new kitchen!