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 1) Beware the “Big Box” stores. You know who we are talking about! Service is not their top priority. Take a number and plan to experience the “wasted time” factor every time you visit a Big Box store. While they stress low prices in their advertising, the reality is that the Big Boxes are more expensive than a company like BKC. They offer promotions that look like blockbuster pricing, but if their total package costs are examined, it would show that they are not the low cost provider that they claim to be. The Big Boxes experience significant staff turn-over. Because of this, their “designer associates” are typically inexperienced. Inexperience in cabinetry design and project management results in unimpressive designs, critical mistakes and unnecessary project delays. 2) Are you 100% comfortable providing a sizeable deposit to this company? Due to the custom nature of every cabinetry order, it is not unusual to pay an up-front deposit of 50% to 100% of the project price. Make sure the company you work with is stable and has been around for several years. Unfortunately, if they close their doors, your sizeable deposit for your new kitchen will likely be lost. 3) Do they offer top quality products? The best cabinetry products in the industry are typically offered by higher volume kitchen and bath dealers that have built strong, long-term relationships with top quality suppliers. Smaller, less stable kitchen companies are more likely to carry 2nd or 3rd tier products that will suffer in quality and warranty performance. 4) Showroom and design capability. Does your cabinetry provider have a showroom that displays the types of products and creativity you would like to see in your home? If they have a nice showroom and quality products, they likely have experienced designers. An experienced designer will provide as much WOW factor in your unique design as you would like to see. They are also more likely to order all cabinetry components correctly the first time, and they will lend their expertise as needed to make sure the cabinetry installation progresses smoothly. 5) Warehouse and delivery services will help to keep your project on track. Many cabinetry companies do not maintain their own warehouse space. They are reliant upon warehouse space controlled by others. By not controlling the warehouse and delivery function, your order runs a higher risk of damage. In addition, it may be more difficult to get your cabinets delivered when you need them if your cabinet company does not store your cabinets in their own warehouse. 6) Installation services can make or break the finished product. Make sure that your kitchen company can provide a top-quality installer for your cabinetry. The installer should be someone that installs cabinetry for a living. The installer should have experience with the cabinet company and designer with whom you are working, as well as with the cabinet brand that you are purchasing. Making a large investment in cabinetry and then taking shortcuts to save money on the installation is a far too common consumer mistake. 7) Service before, during and after the sale? What is your kitchen provider’s reputation for service? Do they have a dedicated service staff? Service at the back end of your project during installation and completion of any punch-list will help to keep your project on schedule. Are they members of the Better Business Bureau? If so, is their service record clean? 8) Warranty is your life preserver. Make sure you get a copy of your cabinet manufacturer’s warranty. Cabinetry warranties typically range from 5 years to “limited lifetime”. Limited lifetime includes the duration of your ownership of your home. Drawer glide hardware typically carries a lifetime warranty. Another reason to work with a company that has been in business for several years - if you need assistance with your warranty, they are more likely to be there in the future to assist you. |
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