Expertise: Kitchen Remodeling

It's important for homeowners to know that before they start a new kitchen remodel, it's imperative they do key research to select the right professional for the job. Kitchen remodeling calls for more than just selecting the styles and colors of countertops and cabinets; it requires in-depth planning, budgeting and collaboration. Hiring a design-build professional who is certified with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) can alleviate concerns while making sure homeowners avoid costly mistakes and delays. To find out more, we spoke with David Cerami, president of HomeTech Renovations.

WHAT SHOULD HOMEOWNERS UNDERSTAND WHEN CONSIDERING A KITCHEN REMODEL?
A kitchen remodel is a lot more in depth than, let's say, a more simple estimate for other services, whether it's driveway coating, fencing, carpeting, painting and so forth. There's so many moving parts to doing a kitchen and doing it properly. I think it's important to realize that no contractor or designer is going to walk in and scribble down an estimate on the back of the business card and say, "Here's what it costs."

I always recommend to really consider experience by an accredited, certified individual. Contractors are good at swinging a hammer, they're good at putting the pieces together, but they're not necessarily good at the design and engineering phase. And you could hire a good designer, but they may not be good at the mechanical engineering phase and may design things that are a lot more costly to execute, especially in a retrofit remodel.

To me, the two things have to work together when you're designing effectively—you have to have vision, you have to have creativity, you have to be able to communicate and demonstrate some of the concepts to the homeowner, through AutoCAD or other sophisticated design programs. Working with someone who can understand the design, understand the build, understand how to communicate and value-base engineer something is critical. So look for somebody that is part of the NKBA and has been there for a number of years and has served in some form of committee or similar role. You want to find someone that has credentials and has been in the business for 10 or more years.

Almost every trade is involved in a kitchen remodel. You need cabinet builders. You need skilled carpenters. You need people to do countertops, tile, stone and flooring. You need electricians and plumbers. There is no one jack-of-all trades, so it's very important to find an organization that could be able to support and execute these kinds of projects. When you're dealing with kitchen remodels, you're dealing with engineering issues, cabinetry, appliances, retrofit issues for any of the reconstruction as it relates to other rooms, integration of flooring to other floor spaces, and lighting. There's a lot and various things that someone needs to understand other than space planning.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE HOMEOWNERS TO ENSURE THEIR KITCHEN IS EFFICIENT, WELL-PLANNED AND FITS THEIR BUDGET?
I would always seek someone with certifications and credentials, look at their body of work and look at their reviews as well. I would also talk to at least two-to-three clients that have had recent work done by the company. And make sure that you define the responsibilities of the company, too. Some companies would say, "Hey I'm not responsible for the electrician, or I'm not responsible for another element of the work." You want someone that's going to effectively manage the entire project and not point fingers at another contractor.

HomeTech Renovations
Lower Gwynedd, Pa.
(215) 646-7477
HTRenovations.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 10 (Spring 2026)
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