10 Things a Contractor Notices in Every Kitchen (That Homeowners Miss)

Before you spend a dollar on cosmetics, make sure these structural and system issues aren't hiding behind your cabinets.

Every kitchen I've walked into for the first time, I do a quick mental checklist before I look at anything the homeowner wants to show me. Here's exactly what I'm looking at — and why it matters before you spend anything on cosmetics.

The cabinet faces and countertops are the last thing that goes in a kitchen remodel. They're also the first thing homeowners want to talk about. But what's behind and under those surfaces is what determines whether your new kitchen lasts 5 years or 30.

I've opened up beautiful kitchens that were rotting from water damage behind the dishwasher. I've seen brand-new backsplash tiles installed over drywall in a wet area — a code violation that voids the tile warranty and eventually fails. Getting the hidden stuff right is the whole job.

Contractor Tips

• Check under the sink for soft spots, discoloration, or old repairs — the #1 spot for slow leaks that go undetected for years.
• Look at the soffit above the cabinets. If there's a soffit, ask what's in it — often it's hiding old ductwork that creates limitations on cabinet height.
• Open every cabinet and look at the box construction. Stapled particle board is a warning sign. Dovetail joints and plywood boxes are what you want.