Should I hire a general contractor or manage trades myself for my NB kitchen?

For most New Brunswick kitchen renovations, hiring a general contractor is the smarter choice — especially if your project involves layout changes, electrical upgrades, or plumbing work. Managing trades yourself can save 10-15% on overhead, but it requires significant time, construction knowledge, and the ability to coordinate schedules across multiple tradespeople in a market where skilled labour is in high demand from May through October.

A general contractor handles the sequencing that trips up most homeowners: demo first, then structural framing, rough-in electrical and plumbing (which must pass inspection before walls close), insulation, drywall, cabinet installation, countertop templating, backsplash, flooring, and final connections. Getting this order wrong — or missing the rough-in inspection window — can add weeks and thousands of dollars to your project. In New Brunswick, a mid-range kitchen renovation running $25,000-$45,000 typically involves four to six separate trades, and a GC keeps them all moving in the right sequence.

When Self-Managing Can Work

If your renovation is primarily cosmetic — new countertops on the existing layout, cabinet refacing, backsplash, and flooring — you may be able to coordinate two or three trades yourself. The risk is lower because there are no permit inspections to schedule and no structural dependencies. In this scenario, you could save $3,000-$7,000 by cutting out the GC markup.

However, self-managing becomes risky the moment electrical or plumbing changes enter the picture. In NB, any circuit modification requires a permit and inspection through your local municipality (Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John) or your Regional Service Commission if you are in a rural area. Many homeowners do not realize that older NB homes — particularly those built in the 1960s through 1980s — often have 60-amp electrical panels that simply cannot support a modern kitchen with a dishwasher, range, microwave, and refrigerator all on dedicated circuits. A panel upgrade alone runs $1,500-$4,000 and must be done by a licensed electrician.

What to Look For in a GC

When hiring a general contractor in New Brunswick, verify that they carry general liability insurance (minimum $2 million is standard), confirm their WorkSafeNB coverage is current, and ask for references from at least three recent kitchen projects in your area. Get a detailed written contract that specifies the full scope, materials, payment schedule tied to milestones (never pay more than 10-15% upfront), and a realistic timeline. NB pricing varies 30-40% between contractors for identical scope, so always get at least three quotes.

Book early if you want a summer start — most reputable NB kitchen contractors are fully booked by March or April for the May-October season. If your timeline is flexible, scheduling a winter renovation (November through March) can save 10-15% and give you access to contractors who are less busy. New Brunswick Kitchens can match you with local kitchen renovation contractors for free estimates on your project.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations