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Hiring Guide

Red Flags to Watch When Hiring a Remodeling Contractor in Central Kentucky

October 28, 20266 min readBy MKB Remodeling

Most remodeling horror stories start with a contractor who looked fine at first. These are the red flags we hear about most from homeowners who come to us after a bad experience elsewhere.

Seven red flags

  • No proof of license or insurance. Ask for a current certificate of insurance before work begins.
  • A large cash deposit up front, or pressure to pay in full early.
  • Suggesting you skip permits to "save money." Unpermitted plumbing and electrical can cause problems at resale and with insurance.
  • A one-line estimate with no written scope, materials or schedule.
  • High-pressure "today only" pricing during an in-home pitch.
  • No local address, no reviews and no photos of their own completed work.
  • Hard to reach before you sign. It rarely gets better after.

What a trustworthy contractor does

  • Provides a detailed written contract with scope, allowances, payment schedule and timeline.
  • Pulls permits and schedules inspections with LFUCG or your county.
  • Explains how change orders and unexpected problems are handled.
  • Shows real local projects and real reviews.

How MKB Remodeling works

We have remodeled kitchens and bathrooms in Lexington and surrounding counties for 15+ years. We are licensed and insured, provide written scopes, and offer a no-pressure virtual estimator so you can see a ballpark before we ever visit.

Get a real number for your project

Licensed & insured, 15+ years remodeling Lexington and Central Kentucky homes.

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit is normal for a remodel?

Payment schedules vary, but payments should be tied to clear milestones in a written contract rather than paid mostly up front.

How can I check reviews?

Look at the contractor’s Google Business Profile, ask for recent local references, and ask to see photos of their own completed work.

Planning a project? Skip the in-home sales pitch.

Try Our Free Virtual Estimator (4 Mins)