Background:
We want new cabinets, countertop & sink. We went to a kitchen place and they said look around and pick something you like. So we did - not knowing ANYTHING about kitchen cabinets. We said "we like this stye." Great......here's your $15,000 quote: parts + labor + sales tax = total. I said "can I see the detail behind that?" I mean there are all sorts of assumptions and types of cabinets he selected etc etc He said "well we don't give that out unless we have a contract." I literally laughed in his face.

Then we went to home depot. We started speaking with Tom and after about 10 minutes, we were already 10 times more educated on the types of cabinets and what makes one more expensive than another. He spent a half hour with us and he gave us the warm and fuzzies. I asked him if he was on commission - because I wanted to make sure if we buy from HD that we buy from him because he was so helpful. He said "no." I assume he wasn't lying. SO for $100 we're letting them come out and measure and then we'll sit down and put together a plan and walk away with a complete estimate.

How bad can they be, right?

and as for install, we're not sure if we are doing it ourselves with the help of my cousin's husband or if we'll have the HD contractor/kitchen store do it. They will be the ones to come out and measure so I should have a good chance to size them up - figure out who they are and have plenty of time to check them out!

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

Home Depot cabinets are not bad. There are several grades - to some extent you get what you pay for.

I built custom cabinets for a small cabin I own. I needed custom because they needed to be a little higher than normal for the floor cabinets. I also wanted to reach the ceiling (10 ft ceiling) - so the hung cabinets need to be quite tall. A lot of hours went into them - a lot more than I expended.

IMHO - pure custom can be quite expensive.

 

Warn and fuzzy means a lot it you look at what there selling. HD, Lowes had warranty they live up to usually. Had HD measure and sell us some cabinets for sisters kitchen and they got one measurement wrong and hey made good for there mistake. Got a couple of free cabinets because of it. Keep all your paper work and don't lose the plan for cabinets. When they arrive check to be sure they are all there and are the right ones. Learned the hard way.

 

If they are reasonable, go with their install for continuity. If all of the responsibility is with one contractor, it reduces the finger pointing and the headaches. Plus, those last little details are what everyone sees, so having someone with experience do the install can make a difference. As you said, check to see if the contractor gives that same warm and fuzzy feeling.

Bud

 

This part gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Hahaha!!

 

Go to this link.

Distinctions cabinetry

This is the main Home Depot cabinet site. You can do your whole layout yourself with a Kitchen design wizard. You can pick all your cabinets, color, door style and accessories. Once your done with your layout print your summary sheet and take it to any home depot for your personalized quote.

 

I get that it takes some time to put together the layout etc and it's an investment on their part and they are afraid I'm going to go comparison shop.....but if they were that good.....why should that scare them, right?

I didn't MEAN to laugh it just kinda came out You should have seen me buy my last 2 cars!

Thanks all. The process (and I'm sure questions) continues.......