Will contractors mind being asked all this?

Good ones will not — most are pleased to talk about specification, because it is where they differ from cheaper competitors. Defensiveness about straightforward questions is itself an answer.

Which question matters most?

What the carcass is made from. It is the single biggest determinant of how cabinetry ages, it is invisible once installed, and it is the item most often left unstated in a quote.

Should I ask for references?

Yes, and ask the referees about process rather than result — whether the schedule held, how problems were handled, whether the final invoice matched the quote. Anyone can show you a photograph of a finished kitchen.

Guides

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Updated July 25, 20262 min read

The short answer

Ask every trade the same twelve questions and the quotes stop being incomparable numbers and start being comparable products. Most of these take a minute to answer, and how readily they are answered is itself informative.

Specification

What is the carcass made from, and how thick?18mm plywood and thin particleboard are different products with different lifespans.
How are the drawer boxes built?Dovetailed or dowelled solid wood, or stapled panel? The box takes daily load.
What slides and hinges will you use?Full-extension undermount soft-close, and six-way adjustable hinges, or something less?
Where is it finished, and with what?Shop-sprayed catalysed coating, or brush-applied on site? Both are legitimate for different applications.

Scope and schedule

What exactly is included?Removal, disposal, drywall repair, filling, caulking, painting, electrical. Get it listed.
What is explicitly excluded?Often more revealing than the inclusions.
Who arranges other trades?Electrician, plumber, stone fabricator — you or them?
What is the realistic timeline, and what could delay it?A trade who says nothing could delay it has not done many projects.

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Commercial and compliance

Does this work require a permit, and who pulls it?"I assumed you were doing it" is a common and expensive misunderstanding.
Are you insured, and can I see it?A reasonable question that a professional answers without defensiveness.
What are the payment terms?Deposit, stage payments, final balance — agreed in writing before you commit.
What is the warranty, in writing?Term, what it covers, how to claim, whether it transfers on sale.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

Will contractors mind being asked all this?: Good ones will not — most are pleased to talk about specification, because it is where they differ from cheaper competitors. Defensiveness about straightforward questions is itself an answer.
Which question matters most?: What the carcass is made from. It is the single biggest determinant of how cabinetry ages, it is invisible once installed, and it is the item most often left unstated in a quote.
Should I ask for references?: Yes, and ask the referees about process rather than result — whether the schedule held, how problems were handled, whether the final invoice matched the quote. Anyone can show you a photograph of a finished kitchen.

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