How to Compare Cabinet Quotes
When two cabinet quotes are thousands of dollars apart, the answer is usually not that one company is honest and the other is greedy. More often, the two quotes aren't pricing the same thing. Here's how to line them up fairly.
Go through each quote with this checklist
Assembled or flat-pack? Ready-to-assemble cabinets are cheaper, but someone has to build them. Is that labor included, and who does it?
Construction: plywood or particleboard boxes, dovetailed or stapled drawer boxes, full-extension soft-close slides, hinge quality.
Delivery: is it included, and where are the cabinets coming from? A local or regional manufacturer usually means less freight cost and faster replacement if something arrives damaged.
Installation: included or not, and by whom? Does it cover crown, light rail, fillers, panels and trim?
Countertops: included or separate? If included, does that cover templating, fabrication, sink cutouts and backsplash?
Accessories: trash pull-outs, roll-outs, spice pull-outs, lighting.
Warranty: what's covered, for how long, and who you call when something goes wrong.
Design and measuring: who measures, and who is responsible if a cabinet doesn't fit?
Payment schedule and how change orders are priced.
Put them side by side
Make a simple two-column list and fill in each line for both quotes. Every blank is a question to ask before you sign. By the end, you'll know whether the price gap is real or just a difference in scope.
If you'd like a second set of eyes, I'll review any cabinet quote for free. Click the contact button and reach out.
