Over the years, one of the most common questions I have been asked is, 'How long will my kitchen cabinet project take?' As you can imagine this is an all around loaded question and an honest answer would sound something like 'How long do you want it to take?' As I reflect on previous kitchen cabinet projects and consider all of the normal steps involved (selecting elements and the overall design, construction and installation), many projects have been completed within a matter of weeks, while others have taken up to a year and a half. Rather than trying to determine an exact length of time, I point out to my customers all of the details that a successful kitchen cabinet project should include. Much of the time requirements will be reflected in how much attention is given to those details (you have more control than you may think).

 

The stopwatch should be started by the homeowner well before the the first preliminary meeting with us, as they should be researching the general styles and flavors they'd like to incorporate into to their kitchen cabinet project (hopefully your kitchen cabinet project is something you have been dreaming about for some time). After you have spent time reflecting on what style you'd like your kitchen cabinet project to take on you'll need to meet with one of our kitchen cabinet specialists to begin the crucial design and quoting phase. While Harlan Cabinets expertise is kitchen cabinets there are many other aspects which can also demand time (flooring, paint, electrical, plumbing). In the paragraphs to follow we'll briefly discuss what you can expect from the kitchen cabinet side of things.

Pre-planning the functionality of the cabinets and marrying them with your style within the space provided is critical when you consider you'll most likely have these kitchen cabinets for years and years. An important place to start in terms of kitchen cabinet functionality is where to put your appliances. Whether it be a free-standing range with a microwave/hood above, or a 48" pro series gas cooktop with complimenting dual built-in wall ovens, you'll need to decide how best will they be placed among your kitchen cabinets to make cooking and clean up an organized affair. Other issues of design functionality will include where to put silverware drawers, cutlery dividers, pull-out waste baskets and spice racks. Do you want large drawers for your pots and pans or a cabinet with standard storage below? Do you want vertical tray dividers or a wine rack? Where and how are you going to store your flatware? Lots of potentially time consuming choices to be made here! This is one of the areas where a disciplined professional will stand out and make your kitchen cabinet project shine.

One of the funnest parts of a kitchen cabinet project is deciding the overall look of your kitchen cabinets. Selecting what wood type, finish color, and door design that you wish to have set the mood of your kitchen will be a challenge, but with a little professional guidance most people find themselves really getting into it. That being said it can obviously be a real time piggy if not handled correctly. Choosing the countertops is usually one of the last design selections made and like in the other aspects of a kitchen cabinet project you will have about 2 billion possible options. So, with the myriad of design elements it is important to have a kitchen cabinet project coordinator who has a handle on all of the current trends in the design world, thus presenting them in a tidy package that is easy to navigate through and ultimately save you precious time.

 

Once the design and functionality have been settled upon it is off to the drawing board (literally). Then begins the quoting process which typically leads to a few adjustments in the design. When this is done the customer signs off on the final print and we're then ready to roll. Final kitchen measurements are taken and your kitchen cabinet project reaches it's construction phase. Time from sign off to final installation will vary from company to company, but we can typically have your cabinets installed within 4-6 weeks (less if the schedule allows and if needs be).

So to answer the question 'How long will my kitchen cabinet project take?...' there is no easy answer. Just remember that you can save a lot of time by doing some pre-planning of your own. When it is finally time for you to call a kitchen cabinet project designer/ coordinator be sure to ask some questions about what you can be looking for in preparation of your first meeting. Also ask what it is you are expected to bring with you when you meet. You won't be sorry! A little time spent in the beginning will save a lot of time and heartache in the end.

Please call us at (260)-657-5154 or email us if you'd like some more help or advice.



This Article-  "How Long Will My Kitchen Cabinet Project Take?" was written by Darrell and Lee