Many people ask this question. The more open space in the kitchen the better, but there are certain items which need to be there. These would be, the specs for your appliances, any appliances that need cut outs done in the counters or cabinets, and the sinks. The electrical and plumbing should be done as in my last video and blog: The Kitchen Gurus – Preparing your home for the cabinet installers

How should you prepare for the delivery?

You can make sure there is a clear path from the driveway to the kitchen, for our delivery team. In winter, clear any snow so we don’t track it into the house. Inside it is a good idea to remove any pictures or hanging objects on the way to your kitchen.  Covering the floor is always a good idea. Our delivery team is equipped with cardboard and blankets if they are needed.

Please try to have the kitchen clear of all appliances and obstructions, if possible. If it is not needed for the installation, it is in the way.

Please keep small children away from the work area. And remember your pets, keep them out of the way. It is best to keep them in another room or where they will not be in the way of the delivery team. The cabinets are large and irregular shaped, so we can’t be on the look out for wondering pets.

Our delivery team will place all the base cabinets where they are to be installed. The wall cabinets will be stacked in an out of the way spot in the kitchen. Moldings and toe kicks also need to be stored inside. The counters will also be coming in as well (laminate tops only). So you can see, it’s going to get a little tight. So the more clear space the better.

So how can we keep that elegant sparkle of the holiday season alive year round? Through cabinet hardware! The hardware on your kitchen, vanity, or entertainment unit can be swapped out for instant, inexpensive impact. There is something available for everyone’s tastes- rustic wrought iron, vintage library pulls, contemporary chrome, even hand painted Italian porcelain! The options and availability are endless. Select Hardware has teamed up with Swarovski Crystal to design the most glamorous knobs and handles. Here is what I recently did for a powder room….

Treat your cabinet hardware as a decoration, an accessory, not an afterthought. There are infinite styles available that will carry your holiday nostalgia, festive glamour, or cozy winter comfort through the entire year.

There are many factors that make up the price of the kitchen, and the main one is the cabinet door. The door makes up a large percentage of the price of the whole cabinet, and the style, material and finish of the door will decide how expensive or how budget-friendly your new kitchen will be.

Door Style: The greater the detail the greater the price – A flat slab or a shaker door would cost less than a raised panel door because of the amount of detail involved.

Door Material:  Some woods are more expensive than others – Oak will cost less than maple, while maple will cost less than cherry.

Finish: Stain vs. Painted – A standard stain is more budget friendly than a painted finish

Visit us to work with one of our experienced designers, who will work with you, your style and your budget to create your affordable dream kitchen.

Everyone does it and everyone should do it! What am I talking about…why price comparisons of course!

One of the most common misconceptions in the cabinet industry that clients unknowingly make when pricing around is comparing apples to oranges.

Here are the 5 top things that you should be aware of when getting numerous quotes to ensure you’re indeed comparing apples to apples:

Door Style, Finish & Wood Species

Is the door style chosen relatively the same? By this I mean door styles become more expensive the more mouldings and detail are applied to the door.

Is the stain or paint selected standard or did you choose an upgraded finish, like a glaze.

What wood species did you choose, Oak, Maple, Cherry, be consistent when pricing around.

Cabinet Construction – ensure that each company is pricing out the exact same construction. Industry standard is usually 5/8” or ¾” thick white melamine with 1/8” or 3/16” backs and either tandem box or melamine box drawers.  Some companies may even provide you with a detailed specification sheet on how their cabinetry is constructed.

Countertop Styles – if you’re pricing out laminate at one company, don’t price out granite at another; stay consistent with your choice in materials.

Hardware (hinges, drawer tracks and decorative handles/knobs) –

What type of hinges and drawer tracks are you getting on your cabinetry?  More companies are adding a soft close mechanism on both the hinges and the drawer tracks allowing for a “no-slam” effect. This used to be (and may still be) an upgrade with some companies, so don’t forget to inquire.

Are decorative hardware (such as knobs and handles) included in your quote? Many companies have a wide range of decorative hardware to choose from, you don’t want to find out that you’ve selected a reasonably priced knob from one company and a different type of knob that is more expensive from another, as this will also affect the overall quote.

Design Layout – this one could be tricky, as every designer will have their own input and advice on how your kitchen should be designed and laid out.  A few simple things to keep in mind, is to make sure each company has the same “wish list” (read my previous blog on “tips for designing the perfect kitchen” for more details on what a wish list is), keep appliance locations the same and most importantly, check to make sure the countertop and cabinetry square footage is similar. If one company places a wall of pantries and an island, where another has a simple “L-shape”, the amount of cabinetry required would be different.

Overall, pay attention to detail, don’t forget to ask questions and make sure that you’re getting exactly what you’re expecting from each company….remember to compare apples to apples!

~Kristina~

• There is always a seam on a 90º mitred corner
• There will be several seams on a diagonal mitre
• 144” (12’) is the maximum length laminate is made
• If a longer countertop is required the counter will have a ‘butt joint’ seam
• An end splash will have several seams
• A finished end will have a seam

Due to the natural of ‘water’ it is very important to be mindful of cleaning & drying any spills. If a liquid is left on any seam on a laminate countertop there is a chance it will swell.

There is NO WARRANTY on a laminate countertop if it swells due to any liquid being left on a seam, so always be careful and aware.

The Kitchen Gurus is a video series delivered by the designers at Innovative Kitchen Design in Niagara. Each video gives you practical advice when creating your new kitchen, from form and function to cabinets and maintenance.

The Kitchen Gurus is a video series delivered by the designers at Innovative Kitchen Design in Niagara. Each video gives you practical advice when creating your new kitchen, from form and function to cabinets and maintenance.