It's best to use the same company to measure, design, and install your cabinets
Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or mudroom, cabinets are a key facet of the project. It’s easy to only focus on how to choose kitchen cabinets, yet their installation is equally important as the design. Although the task seems simple, it can be quite complicated and challenging—which is why it’s worth hiring an experienced cabinet installer.
1. Use the Same Company to Measure, Design, and Install Cabinets
When it comes to cabinetry, mistakes can happen. In fact, they’re quite common, largely because a measurement miscalculation of even an inch can cause serious issues. To ensure oversights are not your problem, have the same company take measurements and design, make, and install your cabinets. If that’s not possible, you’ll want to find a cabinetry installation specialist. These professionals are skilled carpenters and should have years of relevant experience.
2. Look for a Cabinet Company That Offers Options
If you haven’t ordered your cabinets, try to purchase them from a cabinet company that offers custom, stock, and semi-custom options. Custom cabinets are the most expensive, but give you complete freedom over the cabinet dimensions, style, and materials. The most economical option is stock, which comes premade in standard sizes. Ideally, the company will also sell cabinets in various materials, including oak, maple, cherry, hickory, veneer over plywood, and stainless steel. Semi-custom is the middle ground, providing slightly less flexibility for a lower price.
3. Vet Professionals With This Checklist
To protect yourself from fraud and shoddy work, hire a licensed, bonded, and insured cabinet contractor. Also, make sure they have extensive experience installing cabinets. In addition to assessing their years in the field, ask to speak to some of their references. Finally, seek confirmation that they’ll do the following as part of the installation:
Make sure the walls are straight and primed.
Be sure the cabinets are level
Secure all the cabinets to the wall studs and connect the cabinets to each other.
Lock the shelves permanently.
Set the doors' adjustable hinges correctly so they line up with frames.
Align and level the handles.
Install the finishing touches, including toe-kicks and crown molding.
4. Make Sure the Pricing Is Fair
The average wood cabinet installation runs about $130 to $200 per cabinet, but prices vary among installers. This adds up to an average of about $11,100. Expect to pay more for complex and extensive installation, as with large kitchens. To get an accurate estimate, have a contractor make an onsite visit. When negotiating, consider asking if the company offers financing options, such as no-interest financing for 12 months and no down payments.
