Pre‑construction & Site Preparation

walkthroughs, permits, scheduling, job‑site rules, floor protection and packing.

• [ ] Schedule & Timeline: When will work start and finish? How flexible is the timeline, and what contingency have you built in for unexpected delays?
• [ ] Installation Sequence: Do you want cabinets installed before flooring or after? Will you tile the backsplash before or after countertops? Aligning on the sequence early avoids costly changes mid‑stream.
• [ ] Permits & Responsibility: Which permits are required in your jurisdiction, and who will pull them (homeowner or contractor)?
• [ ] Floor Protection: What type of protection will you use (Ram Board, Masonite, rosin paper) and how long will it stay down? If you have hardwood floors nearby, consider heavy‑duty options.
• [ ] Dust Control: What level of dust containment do you need—zip walls, negative air machines, sealed HVAC vents? Decide whether to invest in extra measures if you’re living on site.
• [ ] Dumpster & Debris: What size dumpster do you need and where can it be placed? Are there HOA or municipal rules about placement or pickup times?
• [ ] Packing Strategy: Which items will you keep, donate or sell before work begins? Decide if you need off‑site storage or if everything fits in your home.
• [ ] Reuse vs. Replace: Are you salvaging any existing cabinetry, fixtures, doors or trim? If so, decide where to store them safely until they’re reinstalled.
• [ ] Temporary Kitchen Setup: Where will you set up a temporary cooking area? What small appliances do you need (microwave, coffee maker, toaster)? Do you need a mini‑fridge or cooler?
• [ ] Site Access & Security: Who will have keys or a lockbox code? Will you install a smart lock or temporary keypad? Decide on procedures for opening and closing the site each day.
• [ ] Work Hours & Noise: What hours are acceptable for construction noise, and do you need to accommodate neighbors’ schedules? Consider local ordinances and personal preferences.
• [ ] Communication Plan: How will you and your contractor communicate day‑to‑day (text, email, app)? Decide on who has authority to make decisions on your behalf if you’re not available.
• [ ] Pet & Child Safety: If you have pets or children, where will they stay during demolition and construction? Do you need additional barriers or a temporary relocation?

Demolition & Structural Changes

Removing existing cabinets/finishes and making any wall or window alterations.

• [ ] Scope of demo – Exactly which cabinets, walls, soffits or finishes are being removed? Decide if any non‑load‑bearing walls should stay for budget or layout reasons.
• [ ] Structural modifications – If removing a wall, have you confirmed whether it’s load‑bearing? Do you need a structural engineer to design beams or posts, and is this already included in the contract?
• [ ] Wall openings & layout – Are you enlarging or relocating windows or doorways? Decide on final rough opening sizes before demo so framing can be adjusted accordingly.