That first kitchen remodel meeting is where your project either starts strong or starts messy.
You can walk in with 40 Pinterest screenshots and still leave confused. Or you can walk in with the right questions and leave with clarity on budget, layout, timeline, and how this contractor actually runs a job.
In a recent Hire It Done episode, Adam Helfman talked through this exact moment with Brian Lee of Metro Home Improvements, a Macomb County remodeling pro who’s seen homeowners get burned when they ask the wrong things too early or skip the basics entirely.
Here’s what to ask in that first meeting, and what to skip, so you stay in control.
Ask This First: “Have You Done a Kitchen Like Mine?”
This question sounds simple, but it forces real proof.
You don’t want a contractor who says, “Yeah, we do kitchens.” You want someone who can confidently explain how they handled a kitchen with a similar footprint, a similar layout, and a similar level of scope. Brian specifically encouraged homeowners to ask this question because it cuts through the sales talk fast.
Then immediately follow with: “What went wrong on a similar project, and how did you fix it?” A real pro doesn’t pretend every job is perfect. They show you how they respond when real life happens.
Ask the Lifestyle Question Before You Talk Materials
A lot of homeowners start the meeting by pointing at finishes. Cabinet colour. Countertop style. Faucet shape. That’s normal, but it’s backwards.
Brian brought the conversation back to what you actually want your kitchen to feel like and do for you. Do you want to brighten it up? Warm tones or cool tones? Do you want a space that hosts people comfortably, or a kitchen that supports daily cooking without traffic jams?
So ask: “How do you design around how we live in this kitchen?”
If you cook every night, your storage and prep space matter more than the trendiest backsplash. If you host often, your island size and walkway flow matter more than a fancy light fixture you saw online.
Talk Budget on the First Visit (Without Getting Weird About It)
You’re allowed to talk money early. You should.
Brian’s point was clear: if a contractor knows their business, they know their pricing well enough to give you a realistic budget range in that first conversation.
Ask: “What’s the realistic budget range for a kitchen like this in Metro Detroit or Macomb County?”
You’re not asking for an exact number down to the dollar. You’re asking for a responsible range, and an explanation of what moves it up or down. That’s how you avoid falling in love with a $120,000 design when your comfort zone is $55,000.
Ask What Actually Drives Cost (Because Two Kitchens Can Look the Same)
Homeowners get frustrated when two cabinet options look similar but cost wildly different amounts. Brian explained it using a simple comparison: two trucks may look identical from the outside, but one has way more features under the hood.
So instead of arguing about price, ask what you’re paying for.
Ask: “What features make this cabinet package more durable or higher quality long-term?” Then ask: “Where can we spend for impact and save without regret?”
This keeps you focused on value, not sticker shock.
Skip the Micro-Pricing in Meeting One
This is where homeowners waste time.
Brian literally said you don’t need to know that a handle costs $9.47 or that a light fixture costs $3,227 in the first meeting. That level of detail can come later, once you’ve agreed on the direction, scope, and budget range.
If you push for microscopic pricing too early, you’ll end up debating small items instead of making the big decisions that shape your kitchen: layout, storage, lighting plan, workflow, and overall investment level.
Use Pinterest the Right Way (Or It Will Wreck Your Momentum)
Adam asked about Pinterest and Houzz. Brian didn’t sugarcoat it. He warned about information overload and “analysis paralysis.”
Here’s the smarter approach: treat Pinterest like a mood board, not a blueprint.
Brian’s practical advice was to stand in your kitchen and imagine real placements in your real space: where you want the fridge, where a pantry would actually fit, what storage features you want, then write it down on paper.
So ask: “If I show you 3 inspiration photos, how do you translate the feel into something that actually fits my kitchen?”
That question protects you from forcing an internet layout into a footprint that can’t support it.
Ask About Modern Layouts (And Don’t Get Stuck on the “Kitchen Triangle”)
If you’ve heard the phrase “kitchen triangle,” you’ve heard an older design rule. Brian called it out directly. He said that’s the old way, and today people want larger islands and gathering-friendly layouts.
So ask: “How do you design for the way families actually use kitchens today?”
Then make it practical. Ask what size island your space can handle without choking walkways. Ask how traffic flows when someone’s cooking and someone else is grabbing something from the fridge. This is how you avoid a beautiful kitchen that feels cramped.
Ask the Timeline Question in a Way That Gets a Real Answer
Most homeowners ask, “Can you finish by Easter?”
A better question is: “What’s a realistic timeline for a kitchen remodel in Macomb County, and what can delay it?”
Brian explained how inspections and scheduling realities can stretch a timeline, especially if an inspection fails and you have to wait for a re-inspection.
This is also the moment to ask how the contractor prevents you from living in chaos. Ask whether they order key materials early so demo doesn’t happen while you’re waiting on cabinets or countertops.
Ask Who’s Doing the Work and Who You Talk To Every Day
This question matters more than homeowners realize.
Ask: “Who’s my day-to-day point of contact once work starts?” Then ask whether the trades work with the contractor consistently. Brian talked about how too many moving parts and “convoluted” communication creates confusion.
You want to know exactly who is responsible for decisions, updates, and problem-solving. That one detail alone can reduce stress during the project.
Ask About Change Orders Before You Sign Anything
Hidden issues happen. The question is how the contractor handles them.
Brian explained that if the extra work is manageable, he keeps moving so the project doesn’t stall. But if it’s significant and costly, he stops and discusses it with the homeowner.
Make this easy for everyone and set a clear rule. You can say: “Notify me anytime a change order is $1,000 or $5,000 or more.” Adam gave that exact homeowner-friendly line in the episode.
This protects you from surprise costs and keeps trust intact.
The Only Short “Skip vs Ask” List You Need
Skip in meeting one: obsessing over tiny item pricing, forcing Pinterest layouts into your footprint, and pushing a holiday deadline without discussing timeline reality.
Ask in meeting one: similar project experience, budget range and cost drivers, layout and flow, timeline risks, change-order rules, and how communication works.
That’s it. That’s how you keep the meeting productive.
If You’re in Macomb County and Want a Clear, Pro-Level Process
If you want a contractor who values planning, clear expectations, and real communication, the Hire It Done conversation with Brian Lee of Metro Home Improvements shows you what that sounds like.
Metro Home Improvements is known as Macomb County’s Favorite Home Improvement Company, specialising in kitchens, bathrooms, finished basements, dormers, and complete additions. They focus on expert craftsmanship, quality materials, and a renovation process built to last.
📞 Contact Metro Home Improvements at (586) 929-0224 for a free consultation.
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