Purchasing cabinetry is a decision you could literally be living with for years, if not decades, to come. It’s a good idea to weigh your alternatives, especially in this challenging economy. Look around, see what’s out there, and get a few bids.
However, Frank Canova, Jr. of Diablo Valley Cabinetry, recommends you do your homework. With such an enormous range of styles and materials available, products that seem similar could actually be markedly different in workmanship—and therefore quality. In other words, says Mr. Canova, “Make sure you compare apples to apples.”
Collect all the relevant details—materials, labor, design costs. “If companies sense that you’re shopping on the basis of price alone, they may offer bare-bones estimates that don’t reflect your true final cost,” explains Mr. Canova.
Customers should also be aware of the existence of locally made shop cabinets that often carry a lower price tag than out-of-state products. That’s because shop cabinets are fabricated according to California’s strict clean-air regulations, which prohibit certain types of high-quality finishes that can be found on imported products. In fact, Mr. Canova continues, “Customers who opt for environmentally-friendly cabinet products will often sacrifice some measure of durability. Which you choose is up to you. To be a smart shopper, just be sure you’re always comparing products that are in all respects comparable.”
