Your contractor choice matters more than your countertop choice. A great contractor with mid-range materials will give you a better kitchen than a bad contractor with luxury materials — and far less stress along the way. This guide teaches you how to vet any contractor, so you can hire with confidence.
Step 1: Get Three Written Quotes
Three quotes is the magic number. One quote tells you nothing about the market. Two quotes leave you guessing which is right. Three quotes reveal the real price range — and outliers in either direction.
Make sure every quote covers the same scope of work. Write down exactly what you want done and give the same list to each contractor. If one quote is dramatically lower, something was left out — permits, demo, haul-away, or a whole phase of work. Ask what is included and what is not, in writing.
A real quote lists: labor and materials broken out, specific products or allowances, start and completion targets, payment schedule, and warranty terms. A single number on a napkin is not a quote.
Step 2: Verify the License
In Maryland, home improvement contractors must hold a license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), part of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). You can look up any contractor's license status on the DLLR website — check that it is current and look for complaint history.
This step is non-negotiable. An unlicensed contractor cannot pull permits, and you lose access to the state's Guaranty Fund protection if things go wrong. Any contractor who brushes off licensing is telling you everything you need to know.
Step 3: Ask for Proof of Insurance
Ask for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, and workers' compensation if they have employees. Then verify it — a certificate is easy to fake and policies lapse. One phone call to the insurer confirms it. If a worker gets hurt in your home and the contractor has no coverage, the liability can land on you.
Step 4: Check References and Past Work
Ask for references from the last year — not five years ago — and actually call them. Ask:
- Did they start and finish on time? If not, how did they communicate about delays?
- Did the final cost match the quote? Were change orders fair?
- How did they handle problems? (Every project has problems — the response is what matters.)
- Was the crew respectful of your home?
- Would you hire them again?
Also look at photos of recent work, and if possible, visit a finished project. Photos show the best angles; references tell you what the process felt like.
Step 5: Get Everything in Writing
A proper contract includes: detailed scope of work, specific materials and products (brand, model, color — not "tile allowance" with no number), start and completion dates, payment schedule tied to milestones, how change orders are priced and approved, warranty terms, and who handles permits and cleanup.
Read the whole thing. If the contractor rushes you to sign, slow down. A professional expects you to read it.
Step 6: Structure Payments Safely
Never pay 100 percent upfront. A typical safe structure: a deposit to schedule and order materials (often 10 to 30 percent), progress payments tied to completed milestones (demo done, cabinets installed), and a final payment held until the punch list is complete and you are satisfied.
Be wary of anyone demanding most of the money before work begins, or asking for cash-only payments. Both are classic warning signs.
Red Flags That Mean "Walk Away"
- No MHIC license, or a license that does not verify on the DLLR site
- No proof of insurance, or pressure to skip that step
- Demands full payment upfront or cash only
- No written contract — "we do not need paperwork"
- Suggests skipping permits to save time or money
- Quote is far below the others with no clear explanation
- Cannot provide recent local references
- High-pressure sales tactics or "today only" pricing
Trust Your Gut on Communication
During the quoting process, notice how the contractor communicates. Do they answer your questions clearly? Do they return calls? Do they explain things without talking down to you? The quoting phase is the best their communication will ever be — it only gets worse under project stress. Hire the contractor you can imagine having a hard conversation with, because you probably will.
The Bottom Line
Three written quotes. Verified MHIC license on the DLLR website. Confirmed insurance. Real references you actually call. A detailed written contract. Milestone-based payments, never 100 percent upfront. Follow those six steps and you will avoid the vast majority of remodeling horror stories.
Start With a Conversation
Ready to talk about your kitchen? Reach out through our short contact form — tell us about your project and what matters most to you. We will answer your questions honestly, with no pressure and no obligation.