Kitchen and bathroom renovations are among the most disruptive projects a homeowner lives through — typically weeks of displaced cooking, limited bathroom access, and daily noise and dust. The questions you ask during the project keep you informed about progress, catch problems while they’re correctable, and confirm that the work being done matches what was agreed in the contract.

“The homeowners who have the smoothest renovation experience are the ones who do a quick walkthrough at the end of every working day. Not to micromanage — not to second-guess every detail — but to see where things are, identify anything that doesn’t look right, and ask one question: is everything on track for tomorrow? That daily five-minute conversation is worth more than any end-of-project inspection.”

— John Dermani from Arnold Homes, construction and renovation specialist with over 20 years of experience providing residential and commercial building services across Toronto and the GTA, focused on quality craftsmanship, reliable project management, and customer satisfaction

During Demolition

A bathroom with a sink and a window

What did you find when you opened the walls?

Demolition is the moment of truth in any kitchen or bathroom renovation. Ask the contractor to walk you through what they found when the existing cabinets, tile, and walls were removed:

  • Is there any mold behind the shower tile or under the bathroom floor?
  • Is there any rot in the framing or subfloor?
  • Is the existing plumbing up to code, or does it need updates?
  • Is the existing electrical adequate for the new plan?
  • Is there any asbestos in old floor tile, drywall compound, or pipe insulation that needs professional remediation?

What a good answer looks like: A specific report on what was found, what it means for the project, and — if any additional work is required — a written change order with the cost and scope before any additional work begins.

Are any change orders required based on the demolition findings?

If anything unexpected was found, ask for a written change order specifying: what was found, what additional work is required, and what the additional cost is. Never approve additional work verbally. The change order must be signed by you before work proceeds.

During Rough-In Work

Are the rough-in plumbing and electrical inspections scheduled?

Before any walls are closed, the rough-in plumbing and electrical must be inspected. Ask when the inspections are scheduled and confirm the walls will not be closed until inspections pass.

What a good answer looks like: Confirmed inspection dates, with a commitment not to proceed with closing walls until all inspections are passed.

Can I see the rough-in work before walls close?

Ask the contractor to let you see the rough-in work before drywall or cement board goes up. This is your opportunity to:

  • Confirm drain locations are where you expected them
  • Confirm electrical outlet and switch locations match the plan
  • Confirm waterproofing substrate is the correct material
  • Note anything that doesn’t match the agreed plan

Once walls close, these elements are invisible and expensive to access.

For bathrooms: is waterproofing being applied before tile begins?

Before any tile is installed in the shower, the waterproofing must be fully applied and any required curing or drying time allowed. Ask specifically when waterproofing was applied and when tile installation will begin — confirm the manufacturer’s required waiting period between waterproofing application and tile installation.

During Cabinetry Installation

white wooden framed glass window

Are cabinets being installed level, plumb, and square?

Cabinets that aren’t level, plumb, or square will create problems at every subsequent stage — countertops won’t sit flat, doors won’t close properly, and trim work will be difficult. Ask the installer to confirm they’re checking level across the full cabinet run, not just individual boxes.

Are all cabinet boxes securely fastened to the wall framing?

Upper cabinets must be fastened to wall studs — not just drywall — to safely carry the weight of dishes and appliances. Ask how cabinets are being fastened and whether they’ve located and fastened to studs.

Are all doors and drawers operating correctly before countertops are installed?

Check every cabinet door for alignment, every drawer for smooth operation, and every soft-close mechanism before the countertops are installed. Minor adjustments are easy to make now; they require more work after countertops are in place.

During Tile Installation

Is the layout being started from a focal point?

Tile layouts should be planned from the room’s focal point — typically the center of the most visible wall — so that cut tiles at edges are symmetrical and cuts don’t fall at the most visible locations. Ask the tile installer to walk you through the layout plan before the first tile is set.

Is the shower waterproofing being preserved during tile installation?

Ask the tile installer to confirm they’re using the correct thinset for the waterproofing system — some waterproofing systems (KERDI, Wedi) require specific compatible mortars. Using an incompatible adhesive can compromise the waterproofing membrane.

Are grout joints consistent and level?

Walk through the tiled surfaces daily and look for inconsistent joint widths, tiles that aren’t level across the surface, or any lippage (one tile sitting higher than adjacent tiles). Catching these before grout is applied is much simpler than correcting them afterward.

During Countertop Installation

Is the template being taken after cabinets are fully installed and settled?

Countertop templating should not happen until all cabinets are fully installed and any levelling or adjustment is complete. A template taken before cabinets are fully settled will produce a countertop that doesn’t fit correctly.

Are seam locations as agreed?

If countertop seams were discussed in the planning stage, confirm with the fabricator that seam locations match what was planned before installation proceeds.

End-of-Day Walkthrough

At the end of each day, do a brief walkthrough and note:

  • Does the progress match the schedule?
  • Are there any issues — broken tiles, misaligned cabinets, missing materials — that need to be addressed before the next day?
  • Is the site reasonably clean? (Renovation dust is inevitable; unnecessary debris and hazards are not.)
  • Are tools and materials stored safely?

Raise anything concerning before the crew leaves — it’s always easier to address an issue the same day than the day after.

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