1549 South 300 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
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Is hiring a cabinet maker on your to-do list?
If so, you don’t want to leave out any crucial questions. Hiring a cabinet maker is like hiring an employee (well, technically a contractor). The right questions can help you pinpoint the best professional for the job, and steer you clear of red flags.
One of the first questions should always be whether they’re licensed, bonded and insured. Once you decide to hire someone, get a copy of all his or her licenses for your own records.
It’s always a great idea to start out with recommendations from family, friends and online sites, but remember that just because a cabinet maker worked out for Uncle Bob doesn’t mean the same will be true for you.
Here are a few more questions to ask as you go through the interview process:
It’s not vital to hire someone with decades of experience. You can find some quality cabinet makers that are new on the scene and who might have a contemporary style that matches yours. Still, experience does count for a lot.
Cabinet making will always have some contingencies; that’s just the nature of the beast. However, good cabinet makers will be able to give you a reasonable price range and stick to it. They should break down the costs for material and labor so you know exactly what you’re getting.
You’re not the expert on cabinet making, they are. Cabinet makers should be able to clearly explain, in laymen’s terms, their process so you can understand it. If they can’t, then they won’t be able to communicate clearly on anything else either.
Like price, there may be some contingencies here. Since the kitchen and/or bathroom is a high-traffic area, you want the job done as soon as possible. In some cases, homeowners temporarily move out if they’re renovating all bathrooms and kitchens since it’s not 1) feasible to live there or 2) necessarily safe if you have allergies. A fast turnover is a must, so you don’t want to hire a slowpoke.
You need to actually follow up on these references, and always ask if the person gave permission to be a reference. A solid cabinet maker will have core group of satisfied customers. However, these are easy to fake, and therefore it’s crucial to actually make that call.
Materials and the cabinet maker him or herself should come with both guarantees and warranties. There’s no standard for warranties, but you’ll be able to tell what’s normal after you talk to a few cabinet makers. If they won’t stand by their work, that’s a big red flag.
Hiring a cabinet maker isn’t overly time consuming, and is the only way you can pursue quality craftsmanship. Call Swirl Woodcraft today and talk to a professional cabinet maker about your upcoming project.
