If you are in the process of meeting with a contractor to talk about remodelling your kitchen cabinets, then you will want to be sitting down with someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in what they do. An experienced cabinet maker will help make you feel more comfortable during the entire experience, so you will feel comfortable with your decisions before you sign a contract with them.
You will want to have confidence that your cabinet remodel will be done professionally with experienced staff so that you know you will be happy with the results and happy that you went with a certain company.
Before you meet with your contractor, there are many different questions that you should prepare in advance. By being prepared, you can get the answers you need to make the best decision moving forward. You will also want to ask them for pictures of a variety of completed projects, including getting references from their customers.
This is a big, expensive commitment that you are about to start on. Don’t leave things up to chance. You should try and get all of your questions answered and you can even follow up with reference calls after that.
Cabinets have infinite options as well as design possibilities and they can be one of the most expensive parts of your new kitchen. Therefore, it’s important to prepare yourself in advance, so there are no unpleasant surprises down the road.
Here are some questions that you should ask your cabinet maker during your first meeting:
What materials will you use to make the cabinets?
You should opt for a solid wood core plywood for the boxes. You should check with the Cabinet Maker or Designer about pros & cons of each cabinet door material, and decide the best option for you.
How will the cabinets be assembled?
High-quality cabinets are glued and pocket screwed for strength and should have pocket screws for face frames.
There are also newer technologies that allow cabinets to use Blind Dado structure which provide optimal Strength and Durability.
What will the finishes be? And will the cabinets be finished on site or in the shop?
Shop-finished cabinets are preferred since toxic sprays and chemicals can leak toxins over time. The best finish for cabinets are pre-catalyzed lacquers. Cabinets with glass doors or no doors should be stained and finished inside so that it matches the outside.
How will the drawers and slide-out shelves be made?
Getting solid wood slides is the best option, and dovetailed drawers are the standard when looking for strength.
Good metal drawer boxes provide additional strength while keeping open & close extremely quiet.
What hardware will be used?
Under-mount or soft close drawers are the best. With good hardware, you will find that your doors and drawers will open and close easily and softly every time.
What style will the doors be in?
Do some research about the different styles of doors out there to figure out which will best suit you and your kitchen.
Will you be providing the design and shop drawing with details?
This is important so that you are certain about what you will be getting as the finished product.
Once you familiarize yourself with the terms and have asked all of your questions and are satisfied, you can relax and enjoy the process of getting some beautiful new cabinets.