Questions to Ask When Looking for a Custom Cabinet Maker
Choosing a custom cabinet maker is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your kitchen or bathroom renovation. Whether you're considering Animas Craft Woodworks or any other cabinet maker in Southwest Colorado, asking the right questions upfront can save you time, money, and frustration down the road.
After years of working with homeowners throughout the Durango area, we've seen what happens when people don't ask enough questions before starting their project. Here are the essential questions that will help you make an informed decision, regardless of which cabinet maker you ultimately choose.
Experience and Expertise Questions
"How long have you been building custom cabinets?" Experience matters in custom cabinetry. Look for someone who has been in business long enough to have worked through different challenges and developed relationships with reliable suppliers and other trades. However, don't automatically dismiss newer businesses - sometimes fresh energy and modern techniques can be valuable. Either way, your cabinet maker should inspire confidence that the job will be well done.
"What types of projects do you typically work on?" Understanding their project focus helps you gauge whether they're a good fit for your needs. Some cabinet makers concentrate primarily on kitchen and bath cabinets, while others work across various project types - libraries, built-ins, office solutions, and specialty storage. Consider whether their typical project scope aligns with what you're planning - now and in the future.
"Can you show me examples of work similar to my project?" Review their portfolio to see if they have experience with projects like yours. Look at the quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their style aesthetic doesn’t necessarily need to exactly match your vision, but they need to be open to your style. If they haven't done your exact project type, ask how they would approach it and what similar skills they would apply.
"What would your past clients say about working with you?" This is where online reviews become invaluable. Check Google reviews, Facebook recommendations, and other platforms where previous customers share their experiences. Look for patterns in the feedback - do clients consistently mention good communication, quality work, and meeting deadlines?
Don't just look at the star rating; read the actual comments to understand what clients valued most about their experience. Reviews can reveal a lot about how a cabinet maker handles challenges, communicates during projects, and stands behind their work.
Process and Timeline Questions
"What does your design process look like?" Understanding their design approach tells you a lot about how the project will unfold. Do they offer in-home consultations? Will you see detailed drawings before construction begins? How many revisions are included? A clear design process reduces misunderstandings later.
"What's your typical timeline from design to installation?" Realistic timelines vary based on project complexity, but experienced cabinet makers should be able to give you a reasonable estimate. Be wary of promises that seem too fast - quality custom work takes time. Also be wary of timelines that are too far out in the future - it is hard to predict what their schedule will really be like in 12 months, and you don’t want to be stuck in a long line of other customers while your kitchen remains empty. Ask about their current backlog and how that affects your start date.
"How do you handle changes during the project?" Changes are common in custom work, especially once you see the space taking shape. Ask how they handle change orders, what the approval process looks like, and how changes affect timeline and cost. Clear change order procedures protect both you and the cabinet maker.
Quality and Materials Questions
"What materials do you typically use for cabinet boxes and doors?" Cabinet construction varies significantly. Ask about plywood grades, door construction methods, the finishes they use, and hardware quality. A good cabinet maker should be able to explain why they choose specific materials and how those choices affect durability and cost.
"What kind of warranty do you offer?" Warranties vary widely in the cabinet industry. Some offer comprehensive coverage, others are more limited. Understand what's covered, for how long, and what isn't included. Also ask about their process for handling warranty issues.
"How do you ensure consistent quality across different projects?" Quality control processes vary significantly between cabinet makers. Some rely on individual craftsmanship, while others have systematic quality checks at different stages. Ask about their process for maintaining standards - do they have quality checkpoints during construction? How do they handle quality issues if they arise? Understanding their approach to consistency helps you gauge what to expect from your project.
Business and Logistics Questions
"Are you insured?" This should be non-negotiable. Verify that they carry adequate insurance coverage. At a minimum, this should be $2M general liability, even if your home isn’t valued that high - for example, a wildfire accidentally started by a contractor could have far greater implications than just the value of your home. You should always ask to added as an additional insured to their insurance policy.
"Who will be doing the actual work?" Some cabinet makers do all the work in-house, others subcontract portions of the project. Understand who will be in your home and who is responsible for different aspects of the work.
"Can I visit your workshop and meet your team?" A reputable custom cabinet maker should be proud to show you their workspace and introduce you to the people who will be working on your project. A workshop visit gives you insight into their organization, equipment, and overall professionalism. It's also a great opportunity to see work in progress and get a feel for their attention to detail.
"How do you handle installation scheduling?" Installation coordination can make or break a renovation timeline. Ask how they schedule installations, what happens if there are delays, and how they coordinate with other contractors working on your project.
Financial Questions
"How do you structure your pricing?" Understanding their pricing structure helps you compare apples to apples. Some charge by linear foot, others by project complexity. Ask what's included in their base pricing and what costs extra. Ask about sales tax as well.
"What's your payment schedule?" Reasonable payment schedules protect both parties. Be cautious of anyone asking for large upfront payments or full payment before work is complete. Most reputable cabinet makers work with progress payments tied to project milestones.
"What happens if the project goes over budget?" Even with careful planning, projects sometimes encounter unexpected issues. Ask how they handle cost overruns, what approval process is required for additional work, and how they communicate about potential budget impacts.
See our blog ‘Why Custom Cabinetry Doesn’t Have to Mean Costly Cabinetry’ for more financial questions to ask.
Communication and Service Questions
"How do you prefer to communicate during the project?" Some people prefer phone calls, others email or text. Understanding their communication style and frequency helps set expectations. A good cabinet maker is a business person and should easily be able to adapt to YOUR preferred type of communication. Also ask who your main point of contact will be throughout the project and if there are any times during the process when that main contact might change.
"What happens if I'm not satisfied with something?" No project is perfect, and good cabinet makers have processes for addressing concerns. Ask how they handle customer satisfaction issues and what their policy is for making things right.
"Do you help with design decisions beyond just cabinets?" Some cabinet makers offer broader design guidance on countertops, hardware, and other elements. Others focus strictly on cabinetry. Understanding their scope helps you plan for other decisions you'll need to make.
Red Flags to Watch For
While asking these questions, watch for these warning signs:
Reluctance to provide honest answers or show previous work
Pressure to sign immediately or make quick decisions
Poor communication or difficulty reaching them during the initial process
No physical address or established business location
Requests for full payment upfront
Making Your Decision
Remember, the lowest bid isn't always the best value, and the highest price doesn't guarantee the best quality. Look for a cabinet maker who:
Communicates clearly and promptly
Shows genuine interest in understanding your needs
Provides detailed, professional proposals
Has a track record of satisfied customers
Stands behind their work with appropriate warranties
Enjoys the work they do
The Value of Local Expertise
Here in Southwest Colorado, we face unique challenges - from altitude and dry climate considerations to the logistics of material delivery in mountain communities. Working with a local cabinet maker who understands these factors can make a significant difference in both the process and the final result.
Local cabinet makers also understand the architectural styles common in our area and can provide insights about what works well in cabins, vacation rentals, log homes, historic properties, or modern mountain contemporary designs.
Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your gut feeling about the people you'll be working with. Custom cabinetry projects involve having people in your home for extended periods and making decisions that will affect your daily life for years to come. Choose someone you feel comfortable communicating with and confident will deliver quality work.
The right questions upfront lead to better projects, fewer surprises, and results that truly enhance your home. Take the time to ask these questions of any cabinet maker you're considering - especially us. The best professionals welcome informed customers and detailed questions because they lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Ready to start your custom cabinetry project? We're happy to answer all these questions and more during a free consultation. Contact Animas Craft Woodworks to discuss your vision and learn how we can help bring it to life.