Well it's time to replace those old worn out kitchen cabinets. You have gone down to the local big box building material supply store and looked at all their options. You know you want your new cabinets to be wood and to look good. You have studied this project from every angle and are now the expert for your specific cabinet needs.
You also realize that you do not have the skills necessary to do the job so you are going to hire a cabinet contractor to do the installation. After you perform a search on My Installed Kitchen Cabinets and find several that look pretty good. Great!
Here are some things to keep in mind when you are dealing with the experts.
These cabinet installation contractors are people that have years of experience selecting, measuring and installing cabinets. They are the experts. Some things that you need to take into consideration when hiring a contractor are recognizing their expertise and also recognize that you are not the expert.
This is not to say that you cannot be an active participant in the selection and design of your new cabinets. You just need to rely a little on the knowledge that your contractor posses. They have been doing this for years and you just started learning.
One of the first things your cabinet installation contractor will do is meet with you, measure out the area(s) for your new cabinets and determine what style and/or finish you desire. Then the contractor will prepare a grouping of feasible styles and colors for your selection. They will also prepare a quick sketch of the cabinet layout so you can visualize what they are about to propose.
Once the selection of cabinet styles and finishes have been locked in the contractor can then provide you with an estimate to procure and install the cabinets including any counter tops as may be required. When the contract has been signed your contractor will provide you with a schedule and a set of instructions. Instructions? Why do you need instruction?
There is very little more frustrating for a cabinet installer to show up to rip out old cabinets and get the surfaces ready to install new cabinets and discover that all of the cabinets are still filled with stuff. It is up to you to empty those old cabinets and have them ready for your contractor to remove on the day they say they will be there.
If you are having cabinets replaced or newly installed in multiple areas of the house you need to coordinate with your contractor as to the order that you need to clean out the cabinets. When cleaning out your cabinets do not stack the boxes of stuff anywhere near where the contractor will need to be working. Leave wide open paths to the door so that the old cabinets can be taken out side and the new cabinets moved inside.
Also look at anything else in the house that might interfere with the job at hand. The first two that come to mind quickly are pets and kids. Keep them occupied somewhere else away from the construction area. Your contractor will be moving swiftly to complete the job and delays while trying to will just add up to cost overruns.
In most cases your contractor will be able to haul away the removed cabinets the same day as they are removed. But not always. The quantity of cabinet removal debris will dictate when the total project will be cleaned up. Therefore it is important that you provide an exterior area where the contractor can place the removed material while awaiting total removal.
After the old cabinets have been removed there will be some wall repairs that need to be made. Old holes need to be patched, floor surfaces need attention and some painting may be required. If you have done the right things in selecting your contractor they will be prepared to address all of these issues and prepare the surfaces to receive your new cabinets.
Everything is prepped and it's time to install the new cabinets. What should you as the homeowner do now? Basically, get out of the way. And don't try to help. The new cabinets will usually come in cardboard boxes or have a lot of cardboard corners to protect them. Leave the cabinets in the boxes, leave the corners alone. Your contractor will address each cabinet unit one at a time as needed for installation. If you try to help by removing a cabinet from a box and it gets damaged you are responsible for repairs or replacements. If the contractor should damage the cabinet then they would be responsible for that damage.
Your contractor, because of his years of experience, knows exactly what cabinet he needs next and exactly how to remove any protective wrapping. In many cases the protective corners will not be removed until the cabinet is inside and is ready to install. This helps to prevent any damage occurring during the move from outside to the inside.
Of course the contractor wants you to see and enjoy the experience of your new cabinets being installed. Professionals want to put the cabinets up in such a manner as that they will stay there for a long time.
The last thing to do to help your cabinet installation contractor is to save your criticism until the job is complete. Your contractor will notice little blemishes that need to be addressed, felt bumpers that have yet to be installed, knobs that are missing and possibly trim that has not yet been completed. Your contractor will inspect the finished job and then turn it over to you. This is where you will check out the install and note any corrections that you feel need to be made.
So if you want a kitchen that looks seamless and pleasing to look at from every angle. Click the link below and enter your contact information to start receiving cabinet quotes today! There is no fee or obligation to use this service.
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