Pay as you go

When you decide to remodel your kitchen – or have any job done, for that matter – you can easily find professionals who will not demand full payment up front. They don’t require this because they know the job will turn out fine and that you will be satisfied with their work.

The key is to spell out in the contract what monies are due and when. You must always hold back enough money to be able to finish the job at any point. If you give the contractor too much money, you lose your leverage. Imagine what might happen if the contractor gets injured on your job and you have to bring in another company to finish. You must always have the money needed to finish the job in your possession.

It is critical that you make payments when you say you will. Trust is a two-way street between you and your contractor. You are trusting that the contractor will do great work and do it on time. The contractor trusts that you will do your part and make the correct payments on the day they are due. Remember that excuses are reasons for failure. Do not fail your contractor, and he will not fail you.