Blog Hiring a Contractor in NYC? 5 Must-Know Tips Before You Renovate Jun 10, 2025

Remodeling in NYC? Read This Before You Hire a Contractor 🔨✨

So… you’re ready to redo your kitchen or finally turn that boring bathroom into something beautiful? Whether you're dreaming up your ideal brownstone bath in Brooklyn or opening up a Manhattan apartment kitchen, hiring the right contractor is everything. Here's how to get it right (and skip the horror stories):

1. 🎓 Check their street cred.

No license? No deal. A great contractor should be licensed, insured, and have real experience with NYC kitchen and bathroom remodels. Bonus points if they’ve worked on projects in buildings or neighborhoods like yours. Don't be afraid to ask about experience with co-op boards, DOB paperwork, or other local quirks.

2. ☎️ Ask for receipts (aka references).

Don’t be shy—once you’re seriously considering hiring a contractor, ask for a few references. A solid remodeler will want you to hear about their past work. Reach out and ask what it was really like. Did they show up on time? Stay on budget? Communicate clearly? Clean up after themselves? A quick conversation can tell you a lot and save you big headaches later.

3. 💰 Get a few quotes (but don’t just chase the cheapest).

Yes, price matters—but so does what you're getting for it. Compare at least three detailed estimates with breakdowns for materials, labor, and timelines. A lowball price in Brooklyn or Manhattan usually means corners are getting cut—and that almost always leads to change orders. And no one wants that. Change orders = budget blowups, timeline delays, and a whole lot of unnecessary stress.

4. 🗣️ Notice how they communicate.

Are they actually listening to you? Explaining things clearly? Getting back to you when they say they will? Remodeling is a relationship, and good communication is everything. The right contractor won’t just build your space—they’ll build your trust too.

5. 🧠 Trust your gut.

Even if all the boxes are checked, if something doesn’t feel right… move on. You deserve to feel confident and comfortable with the team working in your home.

At I&N Builders, we make kitchen and bathroom remodels in Brooklyn and Manhattan as stress-free (and stylish) as possible. We’re a woman-owned, husband-and-wife team who believe in craftsmanship, transparency, and making beautiful spaces that actually work for how you live.

Thinking about a project? Let’s talk. We’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.