Questions to Ask the Cabinet Maker

Are you wondering what questions to ask the cabinet maker you are going to hire? Making an informed decision is always crucial to achieving your dream space. Investing wisely in your cabinets can transform your space into a beautiful and functional place.  

Whether you are upgrading your bedrooms, renovating your garage, kitchen, and bathrooms, or adding to your house, cabinetry is the basic investment. For creating a desired space with all the custom detailing, hiring the right craftsman is crucial. The quality of work and skills of your cabinet maker have a deep impact on the looks, style, and durability of your cabinets. 

Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you are hiring the right person for the right job. To ensure that you are choosing the right person, you can ask some questions. 

Let’s dive into the list of questions to ask the cabinet maker and the best answers. 

Why is it necessary to ask questions from a cabinet maker?

It is very important to ask the right questions from the cabinet maker for many reasons. As the cabinets are the most crucial investment in terms of functionality and style, it is important to build them professionally. Every person has a different skill set and approach to accomplishing the task. Likewise, every cabinetmaker is not necessarily equally skilled. If you ask them about their experience, approach to solving problems, material, etc., you will be able to find the person with the right skill set and experience. Secondly, every home has different architecture and every owner has his requirements and priorities. By asking the right questions about his ability to customize designs according to your requirements, you can customize your cabinets according to your desires and preferences. Moreover, to understand the timeline, material, and building process, you may ask different questions. Also, you may ask about the expected expenditures in terms of labor and materials and set aside some extra money for any unexpected expenses. In short, it is very important to ask the right questions before hiring the cabinet maker to avoid common pitfalls like delays, misunderstandings, poor work, etc. 

Top Questions to Ask the Cabinet Maker:

Before hiring the cabinet maker, you need to ask a bunch of questions to make sure that the person you are hiring meets your requirements, has enough skills and expertise, and can provide you with the desired outcomes. Now you must be wondering: What are the right questions  to ask the cabinet maker? Don’t worry, we have got you covered! Following are the questions you may ask your cabinet maker. 

What materials will you use in making the cabinets?

Material is the basic and important factor affecting the cabinetry that has a direct impact on the durability and quality of your cabinets. It’s crucial to have enough knowledge about the material your cabinet maker will use.

•  If you want durable and natural-looking cabinets, solid wood of oak, cherry, walnut, etc. is ideal. Solid wood is the best material for cabinet doors, but it may cost too much. 
• For frames and shelves, plywood is the cost-effective option. It is durable but cheaper than solid wood. 
• Medium-density fiberboard is also one of the cheaper options, which provides a smooth texture. But MDF is less durable compared to solid wood and plywood; it swells if exposed to water or moisture. 

The most cost-effective material is particleboard; you can use it for places not used commonly and that are not exposed to moisture. Otherwise, it would break or its shape would get distorted.

• If you love the appearance of solid wood but can’t afford it, you can simply use MDF or plywood and use veneers and laminates over it. But with this, you cannot achieve the durability of plywood. 

How are the cabinets being assembled? Or How are the drawers and slide-out shelves made?

It is one of the most important questions to ask the cabinet maker How would he assemble the cabinets? The assembly method directly impacts the cabinetry in terms of strength and durability.  You cabinetmaker might name one of the following techniques:

• Dovetail joints: It is often used in the manufacturing of drawers. These are the interlocked joints that give the cabinets muscularity and sturdiness for a long time. 
• Screws: An easy way to assemble your cabinets is to buy simple pocket screws, which are discreet due to their size but have a strong connection between woods. Therefore, they are steady and long-lasting and used for various other plywood works.
• Dowels and glue: cylindrical-shaped rods that have been fit into their respective holes after drilled out the cabinet parts. By using high-quality wood glue, which provides strong joints in the cabinets.
•   Nails: The best and cheapest way to assemble the cabinets has been done with nails and staples, but this is not long-lasting. 

What are the finishes?

Finishes play a vital role in cabinets’ visibility and durability. Every type of finish has a different impact on the appearance of cabinets and safeguards against damage. Following is the list of different finishes used for the purpose. 

• Paint is the most often utilized sort of finish because of its smooth texture. The paint is the finest choice for cabinets because of its opaque finish and broad color selection. On the other hand, paint finishes can peel and crack with time.  
• If you want to enhance the wood grains instead of covering, you should prefer stains over paint. If your cabinets are of solid wood material, using stains would be the best idea. 
• For finishes more durable than paint, Lacquer is the best option. Lacquer is highly rated for kitchen and bathroom cabinets. It adds to the classy look, and its moisture-resistant texture makes it the best choice. 

 Will the cabinets be finished on-site or in the shop?

In the list of questions to ask the cabinet maker, it is the crucial one. Following are the pros and cons of each one:

• For a professional, consistent, durable finish without any disruption, you should opt for an in-shop finish. 
• On the contrary, if you want last-minute adjustments and customized detailing, in-site finishing is the best option to pick.

What hardware will you use in cabinet making?

Hardware in the cabinetry has a direct impact on its functionality and longevity. In addition, the hinges, handles, drawers, etc. play an important role in the appearance of your cabinets. Following is the list of hardware you may need for your cabinets. 

• Hinges:

Hinges help the doors to swing while opening or closing. The best type of hinge is soft-close hinges; they provide smooth door closing, avoiding door slamming noise. 

• Drawer slides:

For more convenient access to the entire cabinet interior, you should opt for full-extension door slides. 

• Handles and knobs:

The pull bars are attached to the external side of door for opening the doors. In addition to the functionality, handles make a good impact on the looks of cabinets.

• Latches and Catches:

The mechanical or magnetic hardware that keeps the cabinets’ doors tightly closed without locking them.

• Brackets or other support

Brackets usually provide support to the cabinet shelves so that they can bear the weight of heavy items. You may also require other support according to your requirements. 

What style will my cabinet doors be?

 In the list of questions to ask the cabinet maker, do add a question about the appearance and style of your cabinets. The door style plays a vital role in the aesthetics of your cabinetry. Following is all you need to know about the door style.  

• Shakers:

Shakers are the commonly used cabinet door style for both traditional and modern kitchens. It’s a wood or MDF frame with a tilted center panel, which makes it look sleek and classy. 

• Raised Panel:

This style usually requires solid wood in which the center panel is raised, giving the cabinets a more sleek look.

• Slab:

In Slab, the cabinet doors are flat and made up of MDF, solid wood, or plywood, giving cabinets a modern look. People who have a minimalist approach often choose slabs for their cabinetry.

• Glass front:

For people who like glass-based interiors or see-through cabinets, there is an option for glass-front cabinet doors. It is also a type of modern interior in which you put glass in a wooden or MDF frame. 

8. Will You Provide the Design, Shop Drawings, and Details?

It is the question you should never skip while interviewing the cabinet maker. The cabinet makers with a professional approach always provide you with shop drawings, specifications, and detailed designs. These documents often include technical measurements, hardware and material specifications, and 3D visual representations of your cabinetry. It also includes the expected period and expenses before you get started with the project. 

Other Frequently Asked Questions from a Cabinet Maker:

Do you have experience using computer-aided design tools for cabinet making?

CAD tools help in creating detailed, customized, accurate, and precise layouts and decreases the chances of errors to the least. An experienced and learned cabinet maker having CAD experience will give you accurate and detailed visualization of your cabinetry before starting working. This helps you customize the designs and layout without loss. 

What safety precautions do you take when using machinery or handling sharp objects?

Professional cabinet makers take safety precautions like wearing safety gear and ensure proper tool handling. Make sure that your cabinet maker maintains the tools like drills, cutters, etc. A clean and organized workspace is more likely to be safer. 

How would you create a custom design for a client’s needs?

A professional and experienced cabinet maker enquires about your requirements and preferences in terms of material, style, storage, finishes, hardware, etc. Based on this information, he will create visualizations through sketching or CAD. Which you can improvise for more customization before actual implementation.

Are there any upcoming trends I should consider?

You can add this question to the list of questions to ask the cabinet maker to check his knowledge of current industry and trends. A learned and experienced cabinet maker can give you insights about the recent or upcoming trends. A knowledgeable cabinet maker will help you keep up with the market development.

What type of hardware (hinges, drawer slides) do you recommend for long-lasting performance, and why?

A trustworthy and experienced cabinet maker usually recommends you the more durable options like soft-close or concealed hinges and full-extension drawer slides. This type of hardware is usually easy-to-use, durable, less noisy, and also adds a chick look to your cabinetry. Prefer ball-bearing and soft-close drawer slides for ease-of-use. 

How do you handle installation issues or unexpected site challenges, such as uneven walls or floors?

A skilled and experienced cabinet maker is always ready for such challenges. They often use shims for stability and alignment of floors or walls and prefer on-site trimming for cabinets. They tackle the more complex issues by professionally consulting with you about the possible solutions. The cabinet maker must be capable enough to adhere to your requirements and solve the potential issues during the process. 

 What is the timeline for delivery?

It is imperative to understand the expected timelines and potential delays while planning a cabinet-making project. The custom cabinets normally take 2 weeks to build, but the timeline may vary based on material, design complexity, labor, and customization. A professional cabinet maker will always let you know about the expected delays.

Are you comfortable working with deadlines and meeting customer expectations?

While answering this question, cabinet makers would tell you about their past experiences dealing with deadlines. A professional cabinet maker will not be hesitant while saying yes to this question. They should also share their work process and approach to managing time according to the client’s demands. Also, ask about their approach to unexpected delays and how they keep their workflow on track. 

Can I see samples?

Samples are crucial for hiring skilled, learned, and experienced cabinet makers, as they show the quality of work they can offer. The samples should include the hardware, door styles, finishes, and wood samples of different species. By examining the samples of material and testing their design skills, you can hire the best cabinet makers. 

Is the installation included in the price? Will knobs and pulls be installed as well?

It is essential to know whether the installation prices will be included in the estimated price or not. In addition, for better planning and estimation, ask your cabinet maker about the installation of hardware. Most of the cabinet makers include this as part of their services. 

In the End:

Cabinets are the most crucial investments in terms of functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen, bathroom, or any space of your house. To ensure that your cabinetry complies complimenting your aesthetics and fulfills your requirements within budget, you need the right person for the job.

Interviewing your cabinet maker before hiring is the best way to avoid pitfalls, delays, poor craftsmanship, compromised quality, etc. Before interviewing a professional, you need to get yourself ready. Make a list of questions to ask the cabinet maker and include questions regarding the material, hardware, style, decoration, fitting, finishes, and approach to customization. 

Hopefully, the guide was helpful to you; if yes, then share it with your friends, and do let us know about your feedback. 

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