Whether you’re renovating a kitchen, upgrading before listing your home, or settling into a new place, choosing the right appliances can feel overwhelming. To help simplify the process, I sat down with Darrell Hookey at Rona +, who has been in the appliance business for 30 years, to get the inside scoop on what really matters when shopping—and the questions smart buyers should be asking.

• What’s the first thing a homeowner should consider when shopping for appliances?

There are a lot of “first things” to consider before going to the store. A budget is important, to keep you on track, and an idea of how you will pay. Many stores have zero percent financing, but some have service charges and others don’t. Then you need to consider what you like about your existing appliances and, of course, what you don’t like. And, finally, think about the fridge you want because this is the “wild card” of the kitchen. How wide and how tall is the space it will go in (there is no such thing as “standard” sizes)? Do you want a French door fridge (handy when there is an island facing it because the doors do not swing out as far)? Do you want through-the-door ice and water or some scaled down version of this (hint: your children will drink more water if there is a neat lit-up dispenser on the fridge)? Once you decide on a fridge, the range, dishwasher and range hood will easier to decide.

• What questions should buyers be asking in the showroom?

You should make sure you are talking to a genuine appliance salesperson. Some box stores have other departments cover the appliance department during various parts of the day. Next, check to ensure availability matches your needs. Have your salesperson check the warehouses they draw from since special orders direct from the manufacturer are wildly inaccurate. And make sure there is enough selection of brands so that you are not limited.

• Is brand loyalty still a thing, or should buyers mix and match?

If your folks owned Frigidaire and it did right by them, you will feel good about buying Frigidaire. But, really, all brands are good and all brands have lemons out there. But if someone in your social circle complains about a certain brand, and a couple of people had the same experience, it is not worth the anxiety to buy this brand. And, yes, you can mix and match since many appliances have low-key tags on their appliances. Stainless steel and white are easy to mix and match. But, if you are getting black stainless steel, you must stick with one brand as they all have a different shade.

• Stainless, black stainless, panel-ready… how should people decide on a finish?

Stainless steel will give you the most options and is pretty standard if you are considering re-sale value. Black stainless steel is the newest, hippest finish but it can make a kitchen look too dark and serious. White, on the other hand, brightens a kitchen but is considered “dated”. Panel-ready, or “integrated” is very classy and very expensive.

• Are there any “must-have” features you recommend right now?

Gas cooking is the best. If you don’t have natural gas available to you, then you can go with propane if you have the wherewithal to arrange for an exterior tank and lines to the kitchen. But, hey, why not go for induction cooking? It is fast (like gas) and heats up instantly (like gas) and has the added benefit of staying cool to the touch which is safer and prevents spills from baking onto the ceramic surface. By the way, the prices of these have come way down. Also, consider getting a slide-in model, with no backsplash, for a built-in look. As for the dishwasher, don’t automatically go for a Bosch because it is considered the best. True, appliance repairpeople like to work on them because they have a simple system. But many brands have caught up to Bosch with cleanability and quietness. It is a good idea to bring some plates and bowls and glasses to the store with you to make sure they fit well. Otherwise, you will see many differences among the brands and you will need to take your time imagining it in your home and which features you will appreciate.

• Any final advice for buyers?

Research, research, research. Go through different stores’ websites to see what they have and check reviews. YouTube videos are great for comparing. But remember that 10 times more people will leave a negative review than a good one. Tell your salesperson that you will likely spend an hour with them and then use them as a guide. If your favourite salesperson works for one store, but another store has better prices, your favourite salesperson will likely meet or beat that other store with some kind of proof they show their manager. And, if you shop early enough, you may be able to pick and choose your timing to get the best sales event.