4 Things You Should Know Before Hiring Kitchen Cabinet Builders

Everything You Need to Know Before Hiring Kitchen Cabinet Builders

Looking for the perfect kitchen cabinet builders for your home, but don’t know where to start?

Perhaps you are looking for a basic kitchen cabinet restoration that gets the job done on a budget. Or maybe you need a gorgeous full kitchen remodel that requires extensive customization from scratch. For all these and more, TBrothers Renovations is a great choice for kitchen cabinet builders in Buffalo and Western NY.

So, next time you are looking to revamp your kitchen, why not refer to this guide? We will explore:

1. 1. What kind of new kitchen cabinets are right for your kitchen remodel: custom, semi-custom, or stock?
   2. Function vs aesthetics in kitchen cabinet design
   3. How you can judge the quality of new kitchen cabinets
   4. Choosing the right kitchen cabinet builders

1. What kind of new kitchen cabinets are right for me?

When you are deciding on kitchen cabinet builders, a great place to start is to decide what kind of new kitchen cabinets are right for you. This is easier said than done—which is why we have compiled this list of what you need to know about how new kitchen cabinets are manufactured and sold.

Custom kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinet builders tailor-make custom kitchen cabinets to your preference. If you have the budget for this, it can be well-worth it.

• Custom cabinets boast an unmatched level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, perfect for a kitchen makeover with lots of character.
• Your cabinets will be built with a higher quality of material, giving you longer-lasting design. Materials may even be sourced locally.
• Your cabinets will fit your kitchen footprint perfectly. Custom cabinets are the best option for large kitchens, where builder-grade cabinets may look out of place. They are also the best option for tiny kitchens, where opening up the floor plan and being creative with storage space is a priority.
• Custom cabinets should be considered any time you have a non-standard kitchen layout, or you want to add non-standard features such as a built-in computer desk or breakfast station.

Stock kitchen cabinets

Stock cabinets are the most affordable and convenient option for new kitchen cabinets.

• Many stock cabinets today look beautiful and modern. So, stock cabinets may be a perfectly fine solution if you want to focus on customizations elsewhere in your kitchen remodel. For example, you may have a vision for a beautiful mosaic backsplash, or have your eye on stylish hardware and need to make room in your budget for it.
• If you just need to install a few cabinets before selling a house and do not have the time or budget for customization, stock cabinets may be an economic solution.
• Keep in mind that stock cabinets may have a shorter lifespan than cabinets built by high-quality kitchen cabinet builders.

Semi-custom kitchen cabinets

Want your kitchen to have some level of customization but have a lower budget? Semi-custom cabinets offer the best of both worlds.

• From modifying the dimensions of the drawers to selecting a different finish on a cabinet style you fell in love with, semi-custom kitchen cabinets can add more functionality and style to your kitchen.
• Asking your kitchen cabinet builders to give some level of customization can make a difference for better use of storage space.
• If you are looking to change the floor layout in a significant way, semi-custom cabinets may not cut it. Read this article on semi-custom kitchen cabinets to better understand what is and is not possible with this option: Semi-Custom Cabinetry | Dean Cabinetry

2. Function vs Aesthetics in Kitchen Cabinet Design

Let’s be honest. Designing your kitchen space is not usually a DIY project. That’s where kitchen cabinet builders come in. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make the most out of your investment.

Cabinet storage requirements

When it comes to designing a good kitchen, planning the functionality precedes planning aesthetics. The first thing to ask yourself is, “How much space do I need, and where do I need it the most?” Then we go to the drawing board to map the size of your requirements.

The right kitchen cabinet style

Most cabinets come in two styles: framed and frameless.

• Framed kitchen cabinets have a wooden frame that goes around the door. Hinges are attached to the frame rather than to the cabinet box. This can help the kitchen look more traditional. Framed kitchen cabinets often cost less than frameless cabinets for build and installation.
• Frameless kitchen cabinets only consist of the cabinet box and the door. Hinges attach the door directly to the box. These can fit better into tight spaces and provide more accessibility to the interior. For this reason, the material of the box tends to be thicker for durability. It is important that higher-quality material be used. The full overlay of the door over the cabinet box lends a more modern or contemporary look for your kitchen remodel.

For more on kitchen cabinet style, view our gallery of kitchen renovations or check out this article: The 18 Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Styles (homedit.com)

Framed vs Frameless Kitchen Cabinets | Credit: Kitchen Cabinet Kings

3. How can I judge the quality of my new kitchen cabinets?

Poor-quality cabinets will simply not last as long and not be a good investment for homeowners looking to live in their kitchen a long time. Here are some tell-tale signs you can look out for while judging which cabinets your kitchen cabinet builders should install.

Box and doors

A basic inspection of the box and doors of your cabinet can tell you a lot about its quality.

• Do not choose particle board kitchen cabinets. These will not be able to take as much pressure or weight and can damage more easily than plywood or hardwood new kitchen cabinets. They are also not good at resisting moisture.
• Look for full-back panels that are at least ⅜ inches thick, for a strong surface to attach to wall studs. Avoid thinner cabinets that indicate they require metal hanging rails or have a picture-frame construction.
• Something as simple as doors that open easily can seriously impact the functionality of your kitchen. Ask your kitchen cabinet builders to check for high-quality soft-close hinges that are 6-way adjustable for seasonal movement.

Drawers

Good drawers for your new kitchen cabinets need to stand up to opening and closing with ease.

• Most kitchen cabinet builders will agree: the drawers that last longest are made with slides mounted onto the bottom of the drawer box rather than the sides.
• Ask your builders for soft close door slides to absorb shock and help extend the life of your cabinetry. If they close without a sound and without jarring the contents of the drawer, kudos, you have got yourself amazing cabinets as far as the drawers are concerned.
• Low-quality plastic glides get stuck or bent over time. Look for slides that run the full length of the drawer, have steel ball bearings, are adjustable, and can support at least 90 lbs of weight.

Shelves

Last but not least are the shelves.

• A good shelf made of ⅜ inch plywood will stand the test of time without buckling under the weight of the inventory in your kitchen.
• Look for a melamine finish on the interior of the cabinets, so any moisture from pipe leaks, etc. can be easily wiped clean.
• I-beams in corners can keep cabinetry from changing shape in transit to your house and over time after installation.
• We use a levelling system on all our cabinets so the cabinets are not directly on the floor and we can adjust them without using chimps. Wooden chimps decay or compress over time. We use metal. Read more about our kitchen remodeling process.

Warranties

If the manufacturer of your new kitchen cabinets offers a lifetime warranty to replace or repair against cabinetry defects, this is a good sign that they are confident in what they sell. Lifetime limited warranties can guarantee the cabinets for at least as long as you, the purchaser, own the cabinets. Good kitchen cabinets should last much longer than five or 10 years.

4. Choosing the right kitchen cabinet builders

Picking the right kitchen cabinet builders at the onset of your kitchen remodel can save you a ton of bad experiences down the road. So how do you figure out who are the right contractors for your next big project? Look for the following traits that all good kitchen cabinet builders should have.

Handholding

The right kitchen cabinet builders will guide you through the intricacies of the design and execution process to ensure everyone is on the same page.  A little handholding goes a long way in helping you decide what you want for your kitchen without the need for prior knowledge or the fear of being ridiculed. When you have an estimate, ask yourself how the contractor made you feel.

Referrals and reviews

What separates good kitchen cabinet builders from the great ones are the referrals and reviews they receive. So, before you hire kitchen contractors, check and verify reviews and referrals. Remember, like most things in life, the more, the merrier.

Enthusiasm and previous work

When it comes to kitchen cabinet building, history does repeat itself, which is why a portfolio of previous work can help you make an informed decision. Top it off with genuine enthusiasm from the staff for their craft, and you have kitchen cabinet builders you can bet your money on.

Transparency

Amazing kitchen cabinet builders don’t hide behind fine print to close deals. In fact, they rely on transparency of information and consistent communication to align your needs with their offerings.

What’s next? Hiring Kitchen Cabinet Builders in Buffalo and Western NY

Don’t sit at home feeling overwhelmed by options. Leave the heavy lifting to TBrothers Renovations, high-quality kitchen contractors and designers serving Buffalo and Western NY.

With over a decade of experience and the right set of tools to get the job done, we would love to be your kitchen cabinet builders in Buffalo and Western NY. We believe in great style, building right the first time, and giving you the best experience possible when home remodeling. It comes to giving your home the look and feel it deserves.

So what are you waiting for? Book your In-Home Estimate and Design Session today with TBrothers Renovations.

You will be glad you did.