There are many kitchen suppliers out there, and choosing the right one can be difficult. Like any other purchase, you need to consider price, service, time frames, and more, but installing kitchen cabinets and other components requires some special considerations that other fields don't. Whether you're using a local firm or an online kitchen supplier, here's some of the top things to look out for and consider when deciding on the best kitchen supplier for you.
You can't simply judge kitchen suppliers based on the immediate results of a job. In addition to making sure that cabinets sit correctly and doors open and close smoothly, you need to make sure that they use quality materials and construction techniques. Any quality kitchen supplier takes preventative measures to make sure that boxes will never fall, cabinets will never warp, and that alignment issues will not manifest themselves.
The best way to check for the quality and consistency of the work of kitchen suppliers is to check their references. Taking fifteen or twenty minutes to make a few calls will not only give you peace of mind, but can prevent you from hiring a poor quality contractor. All kitchen suppliers should be happy to give you a list of references. If not, you should strongly consider using another supplier, even if it means spending more.
While you're at it, asking to see and verify the business credentials of kitchen suppliers is always a good idea. Asking for copies of insurance certificates and any other relevant protection is a good way to make sure that you're covered in the event of a mishap. Another good thing to look for is your kitchen suppliers' certification from the National Association of the Remodelling Industry. While this is not a required credential, it indicates a high quality firm. To get a certification, kitchen suppliers are required to have been in the business for at least five years, and they need to pass an exam prior to certification. This is a great way to filter the better kitchen suppliers from the less established ones.
When getting estimates from kitchen suppliers, you should always have as much of a plan developed as possible. The more details you know, the better they'll be able to accurately predict the costs of the materials and installation, as well as the time involved. If you need to have old cabinets removed, make sure to have that factored into the estimate. In addition, some kitchen suppliers may want to reinforce your cabinet mounting brackets, and make sure that this is included in the estimate too.
Finding kitchen suppliers who are willing and able to do the work you need is quite easy. Spending the effort to find one who will do the work on time, budget, and take care of any problems that arise is well worth the effort. Remodelling a kitchen takes a good deal of time, but this is one area where you should never cut corners.