Your kitchen is the heart of your home, where you prepare meals and spend time with your family. To ensure you make this space one you will enjoy with your family, for years to come, have a look at these five simple ways to avoid mistakes and ensure you are getting exactly what you anticipated you would get, the first time.
No. 1 – Meet Face to Face
Once they have picked out one or two potential cabinet makers, it is important for homeowners to organise a consultation with the sales consultant in their home or in the showroom.
It is also important you get to know your sales consultant and the company they work for, to ensure you can like and trust them. You want to feel they are safe to work with them, before entrusting your future project to them. You also need to have the confidence they will deliver what you expect, when you expect it, and that the company has a great backup team.
Resist the temptation to go somewhere because it’s a good price, without ensuring you can trust the people you will be working with. You have to be able to get along with them.
No. 2 – Be Clear on Designs and Layouts
Before you decide on a company, to ensure you have an idea of what you want by way of design, look around for inspiration on Pinterest, or the internet. Be open and forthcoming with ideas and what you want for your kitchen. The sales consultants may be good but cannot always read what is on your mind.
Once you and the consultant have a basic idea of what you are after, draft plans can be drawn up for you to consider. From these, modifications can be made where desired and clear definitions can be formed. It is hard to visualise things if you don’t have a proper plan or 3D elevation. But, ensure to check with the sales consultant if it is all included in the initial quote process, because it should be clear what is being quoted on and what is included in the quote.
No. 3 – Have Clear Written Communication
Discussions by phone are good, but consultants and companies are busy with other phone calls and clients and you may also forget what has been discussed. Follow up with an email, or text, to confirm what has been decided on, by way of colour or different finishes etc., or some new idea you may have come up with. This will ensure you have a written record on what has been agreed on. If it isn’t written, you have no proof.
No. 4 – There are no Silly or Dumb Questions
Cabinet makers have their own vocabulary for things, such as ‘shadow line effect’ or ‘sharp nosed finger grips’ or ‘double action drawer rollers’. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get clarification of the different terminologies. It is important to seek an explanation for anything you are unsure of. If, when you see the plan, you are unclear on some things, circle them and ask to get a clear answer on what everything means.
No. 5 – It is Important to Look at, Touch and Feel the Product
To see firsthand what you are considering is important.
If you wanted to pick a stone top you can go to the Caesar Stone wear page and select a colour, but those are not necessarily how they look in real life. It is important that you see a real sample and feel the real sample, because even with the laminates there are different finishes available. You really need to know what you are going to be getting and the only way to do that is to visit a showroom or visit one of our suppliers who have a lot of kitchens on display.
Every company should have products on display, as far as colours, surfaces, sizes and shapes are concerned. Colour consultants also are happy to help people.
In conclusion
The most important thing is to know who you are dealing with, get to know the sales consultant and the company. Look at the reviews. The trust element is a big thing. Sometimes companies don’t always get it right the first time, and you have to ensure that if errors are made, they are going to be there to follow up and do right by you. This is why it is so important to do thorough research on the company, before committing to them.
For more information from a company who will provide hassle free, ongoing support, please call Precision Cabinets on (08) 9495 3500, and one of our friendly consultants will be more than happy to assist.