If you are planning a project this year, the kitchen renovation is a significant investment. Naturally you want to make the right decision, but not all kitchen companies offer the same services or work the same way, so how do you know which company to choose?

We have come up with some helpful tips below to help you decide which kitchen company is best for you.

Firstly we understand that your needs are individual so not all companies may be suitable for your needs, even though they might appear to be the best choice.

1.     GENERALLY, A GOOD KITCHEN COMPANY WILL

•  Offer a 7+ year warranty on their kitchen cabinets and a 10-year guarantee.

• Have qualified and experienced kitchen designers to help you design the perfect kitchen for your specific needs

• Manufacture fully custom kitchen made cabinets and not modular or flat pack kitchens

• Have an excellent level of communication eg. tell you exactly where the cabinetry is made and how long it will take to manufacture

• Pre-empt potential problems or issues and be ready with solutions just in case

• Have client testimonials for you to access and give you an idea of what it's like to work with them

• Allow the time for you to make your decision and not pressure you into a sale on the first meeting

2.     DEFINE YOUR NEEDS 

It's very important to be clear about what you want and need for your project. This helps you choose a company that can meet those needs first and foremost.

Is it just the kitchen you plan to renovate, or are you doing other projects in the home? If you plan on doing more than the kitchen, find a company that specialises in other areas of joinery as well e.g. wardrobes, vanity units, entertainment units etc.

Some companies need longer timeframes than others to deliver so ask this question early. If your timeline is critical, avoid kitchen companies that use offshore manufacturing. Generally, if they don't own their factory in Australia, you will likely run into issues or problems if any of the cabinetry arrives incorrect or damaged. The kitchen companies that do there manufacturing locally can run into issues during busy or peak times, so check for current lead times.

 3.     STICK TO AUSTRALIAN MADE, LOCAL MANUFACTURING

 Currently, we are consuming at an alarming rate which produces a lot of waste. By choosing local, high quality and custom made, and high quality, it's nice to know you can reduce your impact by making the better choice. We recommend where possible that you should always choose locally made products over overseas imported goods.

Choosing local has many benefits, including:

•  More efficient production and delivery

• Better control over the quality

• Better after-sales service & warranty

• Supports local jobs

 4.     EVEN BETTER IS TO FIND A COMPANY THAT OWNS THEIR OWN FACTORY

If the company you choose also owns the factory where the cabinets are made, this allows them to be miles ahead of the rest. The benefits are that they have full control over quality, timing and production and the power to make things happen quickly.  Be careful of companies that use overseas manufacturers as they can't always guarantee delivery times, and if any of the cabinets or components arrive incorrectly, damaged, or there are warranty/after-sales issues, it may mean longer timeframes to fix the problem.

 5.     READ FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS FROM PREVIOUS CLIENTS

The best way to research what a kitchen company is like to work with is to hear it from their customers. Obviously, you are looking for good reviews, but the not so good are essential as well. Look for a company that handles issues or problems fairly and professionally because sometimes they do happen.

 6.     TAKE THE TIME YOU NEED

 We stress the importance that you should never feel rushed or pressured into making your choice, so please take your time.  You should feel completely comfortable with your choice to go ahead, so feel the need to ask as many questions as you like before signing anything. It's is a big investment in money, time and energy, so you want to get it right!

If you need help with your kitchen design don’t hesitate to get in touch for a consultation! Or check out some of our projects here.