24 Oct 9 Costly Cabinet Mistakes to Avoid
When planning your home remodel or new construction cabinet project, it’s smart to keep these 9 points in mind to avoid costly mistakes.
1 Beware of the Big Box stores. You know who we are talking about!
Take a number and plan to experience the wasted-time factor with every visit you make to a Big Box store for your cabinets. Design is not a specialty, and attention to detail is not a priority. While they stress low prices in their advertising, the reality is that Big Box stores are more expensive in the long-run due to significant staff turnover resulting in industry inexperience, unimpressive designs and critical mistakes that can delay your Denver kitchen remodel. It’s recommended that you partner with a professional company whose key focus is cabinet design and client satisfaction.
2 Yes, the local custom shop may be cheaper, however…
Local custom cabinet shops do not have the capital to invest in multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art finishing systems that are utilized by most regional and national cabinet manufacturers. The neighborhood custom shop’s low-tech finishing process increases the risk of cabinets yellowing, peeling, wearing or displaying other defects prematurely. Does this cabinetmaker have the production capacity to deliver your cabinets on-time and complete? Will he be around to replace a door or drawer front in a couple of years? Does he offer a warranty for your Denver cabinets?
3 Are you 100% comfortable providing a substantial deposit?
Due to the custom nature of every cabinetry order, it is not unusual to pay an up-front deposit of 50-100% of the project price. Make sure the company you work with is reputable and has been around for several years. If they suddenly close their doors, your sizable deposit will likely be lost. In the end, will this company provide what you paid for?
4 Do they offer top-quality products?
The best cabinet products in the industry are typically offered by higher-volume kitchen and bath dealers. These companies have built strong, long-term relationships with top-quality suppliers. Smaller, less stable cabinet companies are more likely to carry 2nd or 3rd tier products, which have a tendency to be inferior in quality and warranty performance.
5 Showroom and design capability
Does your Denver cabinet provider have a showroom that displays the products and creative inspiration you would like to see in your home? If they have an impressive showroom with quality products, it’s likely they have an experienced design team to assist with your kitchen remodel. Skillful designers are invaluable to any cabinet project. Not only will they listen to your ideas and offer suggestions, they will also provide as much WOW factor in your unique cabinet design as you would like to see. Additionally, they will pay attention to the details and order all cabinet components correctly the first time. By lending their expertise, they will ensure your cabinet installation runs smoothly and that your overall project is a success.
6 Warehouse and delivery services will help keep your project on track
Many cabinet companies do not maintain their own warehouse space. Rather, they rely upon warehouse and delivery services provided by unrelated third-party companies. Consequently, this lack of warehouse and delivery control can heighten the risk of your order being inaccurate or damaged. Additionally, it can be difficult to have your cabinets delivered when you need them. If your cabinet company does not store your order in their own warehouse, your cabinet delivery is at the mercy of a third-party’s schedule.
7 Installation services can make or break the finished product
If installation service is needed for your remodel project, make sure your cabinet company can provide a top-quality contractor. This installer should be a fully-insured professional who installs cabinets for a living, not just on the side. Additionally, he should have experience with the cabinet company and the designer with whom you are working. He should also be familiar 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.
8 Service before, during and after the sale?
It’s important to note that service provided at the back-end of your project – during installation and completion of any punch-list items – will help to keep your project on schedule. What is your cabinet provider’s reputation for service? Do they have a dedicated service staff? Are they members of the Better Business Bureau, and if so, is their service record clean? Lastly, what are past clients saying about their experiences with this company?
9 Warranty is your life preserver
Make sure that you obtain 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 cabinet company who has been in business for several years – if you need assistance with your manufacturer’s warranty in the future, they are likely to still be there to assist you.