Browse Forums Kitchen Corner Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 9Feb 11, 2011 11:23 am Hi Leanne, some simple questions you can ask - are the cabinets made out of HMR (high moisture resistant paticle board) - if getting laminate tops same question about the HMR - what emissions rating does the board have E0 or E1 is the least emmisions - chinese imports come with no rating and have been shown to have very high levels of Formaldahyde which have cancer causing agents believe it or not (not good for somewhere you prepare your families food) - do they use solid 16mm backs (not stapled 6mm masonite backs that can come away from the back of the cabinet) - how are the cabinets constructed. Are they just stapled together or are the conformat screwed. - are the drawers metal sided. Blum is a good brand, and there are also other great brands that are similar. Just make sure the drawers come with a sufficient weight rating (30 - 40kgs for pot drawers) - for soft close drawers, is the mechanisim intergrated into the drawer or is it cheap and susceptible to damage (blum are integrated). - what warranty comes with the kitchen and the hardware - is the vynal doors uv treated and heat resistant Hope this helps With 25 years kitchen experience and a passion for what I do, I have joined this forum to offer advice or at least my opinion on all things relevant to kitchens. I was a cabinetmaker by trade and am now a senior manager of a kitchen company. Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 10Feb 11, 2011 1:03 pm Thankyou for the really great responses. So I have answers to these questions: HMR yes, boards are made in Australia, not China all 16mm cabinets are nailed and glued (he said a melamine glue) the drawers, runners hinges are all Blum, tandembox with soft close The vinyl wrap is Bonlex which is thermopressed but he doesn't know about UV protection gives a standard 7 yr guarantee for all work What do people think, is this looking like good quality? his price is less than half of the quotations we have received so I was suspicious that something was inferior but can't see it? Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 11Feb 11, 2011 2:29 pm leanne27 Thankyou for the really great responses. So I have answers to these questions: his price is less than half of the quotations we have received so I was suspicious that something was inferior but can't see it? Yes you missed to mention something important have it all written in a contract form not just promises up in the air Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 13Feb 11, 2011 3:39 pm grinder Yes you missed to mention something important have it all written in a contract form not just promises up in the air Excellent point - make sure to get a signed copy of the dimensioned plan and elevations as well. Cheers, Earl Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 14Feb 12, 2011 10:02 am Strumer grinder Yes you missed to mention something important have it all written in a contract form not just promises up in the air Excellent point - make sure to get a signed copy of the dimensioned plan and elevations as well. Cheers, Earl Hi Earl I think home should make a sticky of this topic. Don't you think? Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 15Feb 12, 2011 11:05 am Im happy to get this made as a sticky if that's what you would like? These are very useful comments and tips which Im sure would benefit many members. And I wont comment on the thread..... BUT let me just say, that you could always ask to see a current kitchen if it would put your mind at ease? And "cheaper" price doesnt necessarily mean inferior - take in to considerations overheads i.e. does the company advertise or rely on word of mouth recommendations, do they have loans for machinery etc PM me if you would like to discuss anything Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 16Feb 12, 2011 12:06 pm yes please. Thank you Bam A very valid point Bam You do not need to fork out a fortune for a new nicely done kitchen that goes for appliances, plumbing,tiling and electrical work too often seen as separate components of the total cost of a kitchen. So I would say to potential kitchen renovators beware(caveat emptor) negotiate everything within the parameters given above and you wont be disappointed. Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 17Feb 13, 2011 8:08 pm Thanks for being so helpful! How exciting that my first thread has been made sticky! Any ideas on managing delivery of kitchen in terms of how long they take to make? My builder has flagged that some cabinet makers can be very late in sticking with time frames, hence delaying overall work schedules? Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 18Feb 14, 2011 4:23 pm Hi Leanne, Kitchens normally take 4 -6 weeks to build. Most places do not guarantee delivery date, but there are some company's our there that will. Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 19Feb 15, 2011 7:17 am It depends on how busy the cabinet maker is Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: What makes cabinets good quality? What questions to ask? 20Feb 20, 2011 8:50 pm Make sure you see their work first. Small gaps between doors is a must! Ardo That is so funny! I wonder how many people know who Larry Haun is these days. I have a couple of young guys we call Mo 1 & Mo 2 who run a crew of 6 boys and… 9 15527 I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15275 You can really use anything you want the main consideration would be how it looks once painted/finished - or the look you want. Cabinetmakers use MDF because its cheap… 2 9960 |