01
Ask for a drawing that opens the doors
An elevation shows what a cabinet looks like from across the room. Ask for another view that shows what is inside, including fixed and adjustable shelves, drawer sizes and any cables or pipework that have to pass through. A low quote for the outside of a unit is hard to compare with a price that includes fitted interiors.
02
Get specific about the parts you touch
Check the finish on the door face, the edge you will grab, the material on the inside and the hardware that carries the weight. Try a drawer with something in it. If two quotes both say “soft close,” ask for the proposed hinge or runner and whether the same specification applies to every unit.
03
Ask what happens at an uneven wall
Bring the joiner to site before manufacture. Ask how the cabinet meets the skirting, floor and ceiling, and how the fitters will deal with walls that are out of line. If the unit contains lighting, a tap or an appliance, agree who provides the connection and who makes good after installation.
04
Compare the installed result
Ask each supplier to price the same drawings, finishes and fittings. Check what they include for delivery and installation, then compare the exclusions. Request a sample of the actual finish, then confirm when you will sign it off. At handover, open every drawer, switch on the lighting and ask who to call if a door needs adjustment.