7 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Cabinet Company in the Sacramento Area
New cabinets are a big purchase and you'll live with the result for a long time. A few questions up front can save you a lot of trouble later. Here are seven questions worth asking any cabinet company, along with our own answers.
1. Are you licensed?
California contractors are licensed through the Contractors State License Board. You can look up any license for free on the CSLB website and see whether it's active. Ask for the number and check it out.
Our answer: Our license number is 863996.
2. Who will be in my house doing the work?
Some companies sell you the cabinets and then send the installation out to whoever is available. That's where a lot of problems start. Ask who the installers are and who they work for.
Our answer: Our own crew installs every job.
3. Can I see the cabinets before I buy?
Photos and websites only tell you so much. You want to open a door, pull out a drawer, and see the finish in real light.
Our answer: Yes. We keep samples at our shop at 9862 Kent Street in Elk Grove and we'd want to show you options before making a final decision.
4. Do you sell more than one line?
A company with one product will tell you that product is right for you. A company with a few options can show you the trade-offs.
Our answer: We carry a few brands. We'll show you the differences and let you decide.
5. What does the warranty cover?
Ask how long the warranty lasts and whether it covers the cabinets, the installation, or both. Get it in writing.
Our answer: Our cabinets and our installation both come with a 1-year warranty.
6. How long have you been doing this?
Experience shows up in the hard parts of a job: the out-of-square corner, the sloped floor, the wall that isn't where the plans say it is.
Our answer: More than 20 years. We opened September 12, 2005.
7. What's included in the estimate and how does payment work?
Two estimates can look very different because they don't cover the same things. Ask whether the price includes design, delivery, installation, trim, and hardware. Then ask when payments are due.
Our answer: We’ll go over the details (design, delivery, installation, etc) including payment options so you know the terms before the contract is finalized.
One more: do you work in my area?
We serve Elk Grove, Galt, Lodi, Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, and El Dorado Hills, and most places within about 50 miles of Sacramento. If you're farther out, call us. We look at those jobs case by case.
Ready to ask us your own questions? Call (916) 997-1395 or schedule an appointment to stop by the shop.