12 Questions to Ask a Custom Cabinetmaker Before You Hire
The questions that matter most are the ones that show how a shop actually works. Who draws the project? What are the boxes and doors made of? Where and how is it finished? Who installs it? How is the schedule managed? And what happens if something isn't right after installation? Price comparisons only mean something once you know those answers.
Custom cabinetry is one of the largest single purchases in a custom home or major renovation, and almost every shop's portfolio looks good. Here's what we'd ask if we were on your side of the table. We've been running a custom millwork shop in Tampa since 2013, and for each question we've included how we answer it at BUILT.
About the work
1. Do you build it yourselves, or do you outsource parts of it?
Some "custom" companies design locally and order boxes or doors from a manufacturer. Others build everything in-house. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know which one you're buying. Ask what happens in their shop and what arrives from somewhere else.
2. What are the cabinet boxes and doors made of?
Plywood, MDF and particleboard perform very differently, especially in a humid climate like Florida's. Ask for the box material, the door construction, and the back and drawer box materials. A good shop answers immediately and specifically. Ours: 3/4-inch plywood boxes, moisture-resistant MDF for painted doors, and kiln-dried hardwood for stain-grade work. (See our guide: Which Cabinet Materials Hold Up in Florida Humidity?)
3. Can I see a finished project in person, or talk to a designer you've worked with?
Photos hide a lot. Seeing a finished kitchen in person, or hearing from an interior designer who has used the shop more than once, tells you more than any portfolio.
About the drawings and the quote
4. Who produces the drawings, and will I approve them before fabrication?
Custom cabinetry should be fully drawn before anything is cut. Ask whether you'll receive shop drawings or 3D renderings to review, how revisions are handled, and who is responsible for field measurements.
At BUILT, pre-production runs in this order:
A meeting to understand what you want
Field measurements taken on site
Initial design concepts
Full shop drawings, typically two to three weeks
Physical finish samples for your approval
Nothing goes into production until you've signed off on the drawings and the samples.
5. How do you handle appliances, lighting and plumbing?
Most costly mistakes happen where cabinetry meets other trades. A panel-ready refrigerator with the wrong spec sheet, or a sink base that doesn't fit the plumbing, can set a project back weeks. Ask how the shop confirms appliance models and coordinates with your builder.
6. What exactly is included in the quote, and what isn't?
Quotes vary widely in scope. Ask whether drawings, finishing, hardware, delivery, installation, appliance panels, crown and scribe moldings, and countertop coordination are included, and what would count as a change order.
About finishing
7. Where and how is the finish applied?
Shop finishing in a dedicated spray room produces a harder, more even and more durable finish than finishing on site. Ask what finish system they use, whether it's a catalyzed finish, and whether you'll approve a physical sample before production.
About installation and schedule
8. Who installs the cabinetry?
Your own crew or a subcontractor? The installers are the last people to touch your project and the ones in your home. Shops that install with their own trained crews control quality from drawing to final adjustment.
9. What is a realistic timeline, and what moves it?
Ask for a timeline from design approval to installation, and what typically causes delays: drawing approvals, appliance selections, finish samples, site readiness.
At BUILT, it depends on the size of the project. A small kitchen can be done in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. Larger projects, like whole-home millwork packages, typically run 3 months or more. Every project moves through the same stages:
Pre-production: design, field measurements, shop drawings and finish samples
Lead time: after approval, the wait to get into production, which depends on project size and our schedule
Production: 1 to 3 weeks
Installation: 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the size of the kitchen or scope
The biggest variable is usually how quickly drawings and selections get approved.
10. What does the payment schedule look like?
Deposits and progress payments are standard for custom work, because materials are bought and labor is scheduled specifically for your project. Ask for the schedule in writing, including what triggers each payment.
For projects under $100,000, ours is simple: 50% to start, 25% when your project goes into production, and the final 25% after installation. For larger projects we can spread payments across more milestones, for example 30/30/30/10, and we'll set that schedule with you up front.
About after the install
11. What warranty do you offer, and what does it cover?
Ask what's covered (construction, finish, hardware), for how long, and how service requests work. Warranties vary widely. Some small shops offer one year, many established cabinetmakers offer five to ten years on workmanship, and some manufacturers offer limited lifetime coverage for the original owner. Nearly all of them exclude damage from water, misuse and extreme humidity, so read the exclusions as carefully as the length.
BUILT warrants its craftsmanship and materials for 5 years.
12. Who do I call if a door needs adjusting after the first summer?
Wood moves, especially in its first year in a new home. A local shop that comes back to adjust hinges and drawer fronts is worth a lot. Ask whether follow-up adjustments are included.
At BUILT, it's included. Within the first year, we come back to your home at no charge to reset every door, drawer and reveal, fix any sticking drawers, tighten loose hardware, make small finish touch-ups, and make sure everything works the way it did on installation day.
A note on comparing prices
Two quotes can differ by 50% and both be fair. They're often describing different products. Before comparing numbers, make sure each quote clearly states materials, door construction, finish system, hardware, drawings and installation. If one quote leaves those out, ask. The answers usually explain the price gap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important question to ask a cabinetmaker?
Ask how the project is built and who builds it: materials, door construction, finishing and installation. Those answers predict quality and longevity better than price or portfolio photos.
Should custom cabinets come with shop drawings?
Yes. Custom cabinetry should be fully drawn and approved before fabrication begins, including appliance, plumbing and lighting coordination.
Is it better to hire a cabinetmaker that installs its own work?
Usually. A shop that installs with its own crew controls quality from fabrication through final adjustment and can make field corrections quickly.
How long do custom cabinets take?
At BUILT, a small kitchen can take as little as 6 to 8 weeks from start to finished installation. Larger projects typically run 3 months or more, depending on scope and how quickly drawings and selections are approved.
BUILT is a custom architectural millwork and cabinetry firm in Tampa, Florida, working with interior designers, architects, builders and homeowners since 2013. Talk with us about your project →
Written by Andrew Watson, founder of BUILT.
