6 Details to Clarify Before You Sign

Beyond the Referral: 6 Details to Clarify Before You Sign

Most homeowners choose a kitchen supplier based on a referral, a big showroom, or the lowest quote. That is understandable, but it is also where hidden costs often begin.

The problem is not the referral or the price. It is that many quotes are not comparable. Two totals can be close while boundaries, quality, and accountability are completely different.

Hidden costs rarely come from bad luck. They usually come from one simple reason: it was not in writing.

Before you sign anything, bring every quote onto the same baseline. Here are six questions you can copy and send to every supplier.

The Quote Alignment Checklist (Copy and Send)

1) Scope: Compare boundaries, not totals

In New Zealand, “cabinet supply and install” can mean very different things. Demolition, site protection, waste removal, and silicone finishing are often excluded unless they are explicitly listed.

Ask:“Can you provide a full Included and Excluded list? Specifically, who handles demolition, waste removal, site protection, and silicone finishing? Also, what is your policy for post-install adjustments?”

2) Construction: Looks sell, specs last

Two kitchens can look identical on day one, but perform very differently over time. The difference is in panel thickness, reinforcement, wet-zone detailing, and how the cabinetry is fixed and adjusted against real-world walls.

Ask:“What are the construction specs? I want panel thickness for backs and shelves, wet-zone detailing, and exactly how wall cabinets are fixed and adjusted.”

3) Hardware: “Soft-close” is not a specification

“Soft-close” is a feature, not a quality guarantee. If hardware fails years later, you do not want to discover parts are discontinued or hard to source in New Zealand.

Ask:“Can you list the hardware as Brand, Series, and Model, so I can compare like for like?”

4) Installation: Is it a service, or just a drop-off?

Installation is a process. If boundaries are unclear, cabinet makers, plumbers, and sparkies can end up pointing fingers when something is cut, placed, or finished incorrectly.

Ask:“What does your installation checklist include? Floor protection, dust control, daily clean-up, and final checks. Who is responsible for the final silicone finish?”

5) Variations: Rules for real-world sites

Most homes are not perfectly level or square. If variation rules are not defined in advance, budgets can bleed mid-build.

Ask:“What site conditions does this quote assume? If walls or floors are not level, how is extra work priced? Do you require written approval before charging a variation?”

6) Warranty: Years matter less than who owns the problem

A long warranty means little if you have to chase people for weeks. You need to know who owns the issue from start to finish, and whether your project details are recorded for future repairs.

Ask:“If I have an issue, who is my primary contact? How do you handle common problems like moisture swelling or alignment issues? Do you keep project-specific records for future repairs?”

1. Copy the six questions above.

2. Email them to every supplier you are considering.

3. Compare the replies.