I keep reading horror stories about kitchen renovations going thousands over budget, and it’s making me hesitant to even start. At the same time, living with a dysfunctional kitchen isn’t ideal either, so I’m trying to find a realistic middle ground between fear and blind optimism.

Red Stone Contracting is one of the companies I’m considering because they seem established, but I know that doesn’t automatically mean smooth projects. For those who worked with them, did you feel like the pricing was fair for what you received, or did things add up quickly with change orders and upgrades?

I’m also curious how people evaluate kitchen renovation trust beyond Google reviews. Anyone can have a polished website and good photos. What actually indicates that a contractor is reliable? Is it detailed contracts, strong communication, willingness to explain technical things, or something else?

Another concern is workmanship quality. After the renovation was done, did you notice small issues like misaligned cabinets, poor finishing, or problems that appeared months later? If so, how responsive was the contractor in fixing them?

I don’t expect perfection, but I want to avoid feeling like I need another renovation a year later. Trying to understand what warning signs to watch for before signing anything.