Kitchen buying decisions · Grand Rapids, Michigan
Give each part of the old kitchen a clear destination
A quote that says “remove existing kitchen” leaves important decisions open. Will the crew save the refrigerator, protect the floor, disconnect the sink or return to reconnect it? Before comparing totals, mark what comes out, what stays and who makes the room ready for the new cabinets. That scope can change both the installation price and the product order.
Describe the work before choosing an application
Grand Rapids' residential permit page covers single-family homes and duplexes. It lists an interior Remodel or Repair application separately from demolition of an entire single-family or duplex building, alongside electrical, plumbing and mechanical applications. Multiple permits may be needed depending on the work.
Calling a line item “demo” does not identify the right application. Give the city the actual building type and proposed changes, including affected walls and services. Confirm the process for other building types separately. This city guidance does not extend automatically to Wyoming, Kentwood or another nearby jurisdiction; the department determines which requirements apply to your project.
Compare bids using four actions
On a sketch or set of photos, label the cabinet runs, countertop, appliances, wall areas and flooring. For each item, select an action below and name the responsible party. Ask both bidders to price the same marked scope.
| Action | Record in the quote |
|---|---|
| Remove | Exact items and limits of removal; who disconnects affected services; whether hauling and disposal are included. Identify anything to be saved before removal starts. |
| Retain | Items staying in place or returning after work, their condition and intended location. Have the designer and installer verify fit with the new layout. |
| Protect | Floors, appliances and adjacent finishes needing protection; who provides it, when it is removed and who addresses damage or required repairs. |
| Reconnect | Affected sink, appliance or other service; the responsible qualified trade; included materials and checks. Record any required approval or inspection dependency. |
Add a separate unresolved-items list. For each unknown, record who investigates it, what answer is needed and which price or product decision depends on that answer. Keep an allowance distinct from a fixed included price; ask what written approval is required before extra work proceeds.
Worked example: cabinets below a bulkhead
Suppose you want taller upper cabinets and propose removing the boxed-in bulkhead above the old units. One quote includes cabinet removal only. A second includes removing the bulkhead finish, but excludes any services or structural work discovered inside it. Those proposals cover different work, even if both use the heading “kitchen demolition.”
Mark the cabinets for removal, the refrigerator for retention and the existing floor for protection. Mark the bulkhead as unresolved until qualified professionals assess it safely and identify its contents and function. Do not treat an apparently empty enclosure as permission to remove it.
If the assessment identifies affected wiring, piping or ventilation, name the relevant trade and define the additional scope and approval questions. Then have the designer and installer confirm the usable height and final cabinet dimensions before approving the affected units. A retain-bulkhead option may require a different cabinet height and trim package; compare that complete option with the reviewed removal option.
Close the gap between removal and installation
Ask who restores the surfaces exposed by removal and what condition the cabinet installer expects on arrival. Record wall or floor repair, cleanup and any professional checks separately from setting the cabinets. Clarify who reconnects each affected service and who coordinates any required inspections.
Before accepting a bid, reconcile its exclusions with your four-action worksheet. Carry unresolved choices into the cabinet quote so a low removal price does not hide work assigned to another party. Keep your marked scope and written answers with the final proposal; update them together when the plan changes.
Bring the decisions to a free review
Share your project city, current photos or drawing, and the question you most want to resolve. Request your free initial Grand Rapids kitchen review, or use Quote Check to organize an existing itemized proposal. You can start before joining; completing this checklist is optional.
HIBC provides online buying support and can discuss independent showroom design options. Design scope, designer availability and any appointment must be confirmed separately. Qualified project professionals verify final measurements, construction requirements and installation.
Gold membership is a separate purchase: $4,995 includes Year 1. From Year 2, optional $495 annual renewal is purchased separately, with no automatic charge. Products and separately arranged services have their own costs. The initial membership fee is fully refundable within 30 days if you are dissatisfied and have placed no orders. Review the current membership offer and membership terms before deciding.
