What to Ask Before Hiring a Custom Cabinet Maker: 15 Essential Questions

Choosing a custom cabinet maker is one of the most important decisions in your kitchen renovation. You’re hiring someone to build a product that will be the visual centerpiece of your kitchen for the next 20 to 30 years. The quality of their work, the reliability of their process, and the clarity of their communication all directly affect whether your project is a great experience or a stressful one.

The challenge is that cabinet making is a specialized trade, and most homeowners don’t know what to look for or what questions to ask. This guide gives you 15 specific questions to ask any cabinet maker before you commit, along with what the answers should tell you about their quality and professionalism.

Questions About Experience and Quality

1. How long have you been building custom cabinets?

Experience matters in custom cabinet making. The craft involves complex joinery, precise measurements, and an understanding of how wood behaves over time in a kitchen environment. A maker with 10 or more years of focused experience has likely encountered and solved every common problem that arises during a kitchen project.

That said, years in business alone isn’t a guarantee of quality. A newer shop run by a craftsman who trained under an experienced builder can produce outstanding work. What you’re really looking for is evidence of skill, consistency, and problem-solving ability, which leads to the next question.

2. Can I see photos of recent completed projects?

Any reputable cabinet maker should have a portfolio of finished work. Look for kitchens that are similar in scope and style to what you’re planning. Pay attention to details: are the door alignments consistent? Are the seams and joints tight? Do the finishes look smooth and even? Are the crown moldings and trim work precise?

Bonus points if they can show you the same kitchen from multiple angles, not just the one flattering photo that every project produces.

3. Can I visit a recently completed kitchen or speak with a past client?

This is the gold standard for evaluating a cabinet maker. Photos show you the product; a visit or conversation with a past client tells you about the experience. Was the maker communicative? Did they meet deadlines? Were there surprises? How did they handle problems? Would the client hire them again?

A cabinet maker who confidently offers references is usually one who knows their clients are happy. A maker who dodges this request or claims they can’t provide references should raise concerns.

4. What materials do you use for cabinet boxes?

The box is the structural backbone of the cabinet. The answer you want to hear is 3/4-inch plywood for the sides, top, bottom, and shelves, and a 1/4-inch plywood back (not hardboard or cardboard). Some high-quality makers use 1/2-inch plywood for backs in premium work.

If the answer is “particle board” or “furniture board,” that’s a lower tier of construction. Particle board swells when it contacts moisture (which is inevitable in a kitchen over decades), and it doesn’t hold screws as well as plywood. It’s acceptable for stock cabinets but is unusual for true custom work.

5. What type of joinery do you use for drawers?

Drawers take more abuse than any other cabinet component. A quality custom drawer should feature dovetail joints (the interlocking finger-like cuts you see at the corners of well-made drawers). Dovetail joints are extremely strong and are the hallmark of quality craftsmanship.

Doweled or screwed joints are acceptable in mid-range work. Stapled or glued butt joints are the lowest tier and indicate stock or entry-level semi-custom quality, not true custom work.

Also ask about drawer slides. Full-extension, soft-close slides are the current standard in custom cabinetry. They allow the drawer to open fully (so you can see everything inside) and close quietly without slamming. Brands like Blum, Hettich, and Grass are well-regarded names in drawer slide hardware.

Questions About the Process

6. What does your design process look like?

A good cabinet maker follows a structured design process that typically includes an initial consultation, field measurements, design development with drawings or 3D renderings, material and finish selection, a review and approval stage, and finally, fabrication. You should understand each step and know what’s expected from you at each stage.

Be cautious of makers who want to jump straight from a brief conversation to a contract without a thorough design phase. Custom cabinets are a precision product; skipping the design process leads to errors and miscommunication.

7. Will I receive detailed drawings or renderings before fabrication begins?

Yes, you should. At minimum, you should receive a dimensioned elevation drawing showing every cabinet, its size, its door/drawer configuration, and its position on the wall. Many custom shops now produce 3D computer renderings that show you a realistic preview of the finished kitchen from multiple angles. These drawings are your opportunity to catch errors, request changes, and confirm that what’s being built matches your expectations.

Never approve fabrication without reviewing and signing off on detailed drawings. Changes after fabrication has started are extremely expensive or impossible.

8. What is the expected timeline from design to installation?

Custom cabinet projects typically take 8 to 16 weeks from design approval to completed installation. The timeline breaks down roughly as follows:

• Design and approval: 2 to 4 weeks
• Fabrication: 4 to 8 weeks
• Delivery and installation: 1 to 2 weeks

Ask the maker to be specific about their current lead time. A shop that quotes 6 weeks for fabrication during their slow season might need 10 to 12 weeks during spring and summer (peak renovation season). Understanding the timeline helps you coordinate with other trades (countertop fabricators, plumbers, electricians) and plan your temporary kitchen setup. For more on how kitchen renovation timelines work, see our complete timeline guide.

9. Who handles the installation?

Some cabinet makers have their own installation crew. Others subcontract installation to a separate team. Either approach can work well, but it’s important to know who will be physically installing your cabinets and how much experience they have.

If installation is subcontracted, ask whether the cabinet maker supervises the installation or if you’ll be dealing with the installer directly. The best scenario is when the maker either installs their own cabinets or has a long-standing relationship with a dedicated installation team whose work they stand behind.

Questions About Pricing and Payment

10. What exactly is included in the quote?

This is perhaps the most important question on the list, because quotes from different cabinet makers often include different things. A seemingly lower quote may exclude items that a higher quote includes, making an apples-to-apples comparison misleading.

Specifically, confirm whether the quote includes:

• Cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts
• Interior shelving and drawer slides (what type?)
• Hinges (soft-close or standard?)
• Knobs, pulls, and decorative hardware
• Crown molding, light rail, and other trim
• The finish (stain or paint, including all coats and topcoat)
• Delivery to your home
• Installation labor
• Countertop templating coordination (if applicable)

Get the full breakdown in writing. Our custom cabinet cost guide details the typical cost components so you know what to look for.

11. What is your payment schedule?

Custom cabinet makers typically require a deposit to begin work, with the balance due in one or two installments. A common and reasonable payment structure looks like:

• 25 to 50 percent deposit at contract signing (covers materials and initiates fabrication)
• 25 to 40 percent at a midpoint milestone (such as completion of fabrication or delivery)
• 10 to 25 percent upon completed installation

Be cautious of any maker who demands full payment upfront before any work begins. You should always retain a portion of the total (at least 10 percent) until installation is complete and you’ve had a chance to inspect the finished work. This holdback protects you and motivates the maker to resolve any issues promptly.

12. How do you handle changes or additions after the project starts?

Change orders happen. You might decide to add an extra pull-out shelf, upgrade from knobs to pulls, or modify a cabinet dimension after seeing the design drawings. Understanding the change order process upfront prevents friction later.

A professional maker will have a clear process: written change orders with cost and timeline implications documented and signed before any changes are made. If changes are handled informally or verbally, disputes about scope and cost can easily arise.

Questions About Warranty and Support

13. What warranty do you offer?

Most reputable custom cabinet makers offer a warranty ranging from 1 year to a lifetime on their products. The details matter more than the duration. A “lifetime warranty” that covers only structural defects in the box but excludes finish, hardware, and adjustments isn’t as comprehensive as a 5-year warranty that covers everything.

Ask specifically what the warranty covers (structural issues, finish defects, hardware failures, alignment adjustments) and what it excludes (normal wear and tear, damage from misuse, moisture damage from plumbing leaks).

14. Do you handle touch-ups and adjustments after installation?

Wood moves seasonally. Doors may need hinge adjustments after a year of humidity changes. A touch-up might be needed where a bump occurred during move-in. A cabinet maker who stands behind their work will return for reasonable adjustments during the warranty period without charging for the visit.

Ask how this works: Is there a service call fee? How quickly do they typically respond? Do they come back proactively for a post-installation check, or only when you call with an issue? Some makers schedule a routine check-up 3 to 6 months after installation to make minor adjustments, which is a sign of excellent customer service.

15. Are you licensed and insured?

This question is straightforward but essential. A licensed contractor (where your jurisdiction requires it) has met the minimum standards for operating legally. Insurance (general liability and workers’ compensation) protects you from financial liability if a worker is injured on your property or if your home is damaged during installation.

Ask to see a copy of their insurance certificate. Any professional maker will provide this without hesitation. If they can’t or won’t, that’s a serious red flag.

Red Flags to Watch For

Beyond the 15 questions above, here are warning signs that should give you pause during the selection process:

No physical shop or showroom. A legitimate custom cabinet maker has a workshop where they build cabinets. While not every maker has a retail showroom, they should be able to tell you where their shop is and, ideally, invite you to visit.

Reluctance to provide references. This suggests either a lack of satisfied clients or a short track record. Either way, proceed with caution.

Pressure to sign quickly. “This price is only good for 48 hours” is a sales tactic, not how quality custom work is sold. A good maker knows their work speaks for itself and will give you time to make an informed decision.

Vague or verbal-only quotes. Every quote should be detailed, itemized, and in writing. If a maker won’t put their pricing in writing, you have no recourse if the final bill doesn’t match the original discussion.

No design approval step. If a maker plans to start building without showing you detailed drawings and getting your written approval, errors are almost guaranteed.

Putting It All Together

The best approach is to meet with three cabinet makers, ask all 15 questions, compare their answers, visit their shops or completed projects if possible, and then make your decision based on the total picture: quality, communication, price, timeline, and your gut feeling about working with them for several months.

Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. A cabinet maker who communicates clearly, builds with quality materials, stands behind their work, and delivers on time is worth a modest premium over the cheapest option. You’re choosing a partner for a project that will define your kitchen for decades.

Ready to start the search? Browse our directory of custom cabinet makers to find qualified professionals in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quotes should I get?

At least three. This gives you a range of pricing, a sense of different communication styles, and enough information to identify outliers (unusually high or low quotes). Five quotes is ideal if your schedule allows it, but three is the minimum for a well-informed decision.

Should I share other quotes with cabinet makers?

You can mention that you’re getting multiple quotes (this is expected and encouraged), but sharing the exact dollar amounts from competing bids is generally not recommended. It can lead to corner-cutting to match a lower price rather than competing on quality and value.

What if a cabinet maker doesn’t have a showroom?

Many excellent custom cabinet makers operate from a workshop without a retail showroom. This doesn’t indicate lower quality. Ask to visit their shop to see their equipment, works in progress, and material storage. This tells you more about their operation than a polished showroom would.

How do I know if a price is fair?

Compare the detailed breakdowns from your three quotes. Make sure you’re comparing the same scope (same materials, same door style, same accessories). Our cost guide provides regional benchmarks for custom cabinet pricing that can help you assess whether quotes are in a reasonable range.

Is it better to choose a large company or a small independent shop?

Both can produce excellent results. Large companies may offer more resources, faster timelines, and broader warranties. Small independent shops often provide more personalized attention, greater design flexibility, and direct access to the craftsman building your cabinets. The best choice depends on your priorities and the specific companies and shops available in your area.

Last Updated: February 2026