How to Hire a Cabinet Company: Questions to Ask

Start with a conversation

A good company listens before it sells. Notice whether they ask about how you use the room and what bothers you about it.

Ask who will measure, who will design and who will install. When the same team handles all three, details are less likely to be lost.

A visit to your home is better than a phone quote.

Ask about materials

Ask what the boxes, doors, drawers and shelves are made of. Plywood, solid wood and thin particleboard behave very differently.

Ask about the finish, how many coats it has and how to clean it. Ask about hinges and slides and how they are rated.

A company that answers clearly and brings samples is a good sign.

Read the written scope

A good scope lists the cabinets, the style, the wood, the finish, the hardware, the delivery and the installation. It also lists what is not included.

Look for countertops, plumbing, electrical work, painting and removal of old cabinets, which are often separate.

If something is vague, ask for it in writing.

Ask about schedule

Ask when work can start, how long building takes and how long installation takes. Ask which items have long lead times.

Ask how the company coordinates with plumbers, electricians and counter fabricators.

A realistic schedule is better than a fast promise.

Check references and rules

Ask for recent projects you can see or read about, and speak with past customers if you can.

Tennessee has a state board that oversees contractors, and the rules depend on the type and size of the work. The state board website explains what applies.

Local permit rules depend on whether plumbing, wiring or walls change.

Compare fairly

Line up two or three written scopes side by side. Compare materials, construction, hardware, finish and installation, not only the total.

Use our bid scorecard to rate each company on scope, materials, schedule, communication and terms.

Choose the company you trust to treat your home with care.