Thread: Just moved Stateside, looking to renovate kitchen

Hi Geoff,

I was a cabinet contractor in California before moving to Oz. I'm actually not familiar with contracting in Oz, but I can tell you a few things that can go wrong in the States. The websites look pretty nice and they look like they've been in business for awhile. That's a good start.

!) I'm not sure about AZ, but in CA, you could run the contractor license number through the State licensing board and see how many violations and complaints they have had. It's a good place to start if it works the same there.

2) Make sure they do an accurate measure, checking how plumb walls, floor and ceiling are. I've done installs where things were assumed and the cabinets were too large for the installation space due to walls that leaned inward. Some installers will get quite inventive to make it fit like removing plaster, cutting have the face frame away etc. You don't want to experience field surgery unless they bought the whiskey.

3) Make sure you ask if fit and finish will be the same for your job as the showroom. Some guys pass off some pretty crappy moulding and trim work as "good enough".

4) Ask if they sub-contract the install and if the installers will have workers comp insurance. Alot of shops in the States sub out installs and pay the installers $50 per box to install. They won't give a flying "f" about detail since the faster they go, the more they make per hour. Also, not sure about AZ, but in CA if a worker is injured on the job in your house, you may be liable for hospital bills. Also, make sure they are insured for general liability. I worked on one job where some day laborers dropped a cabinet on the sink plumbing, snapped them off, and water flowed into the apartment below for 30 minutes because they only spoke Spanish and couldn't ask where the shutoff valve was for the block.

5) Ask for some references and check them out. Once the process begins, you want it done in a timely manner. You don't want them to get you started then disappear for 10 days to start another job. Some guys get 50% deposit on the cabs and jump off one job to start another whenever payroll or the speed boat payment is due.

6) Don't pay in full unless you are 100% happy. Once you've lost that control, you might be waiting for that replacement door or trim piece for months.

Chances are, if they have good references, everything will go fine and you don't want to come off as combative, just careful.


Check to see if there is a community college with a woodworking class. After you take one class, you can often take a special projects class to do your own work. They won't want you making a kitchen, but you might be able to use the panel saw and cut all your ply and assemble at home. If you decide to give it ago yourself, look for a wholesale timber company. There are alot of great materials available in the States that don't exist here. Pre-finished "Apple ply" maple plywood for carcases and drawers. A huge variety of native and exotic woods. Also look for door manufacturers and see what species they use. You could build the boxes and buy the doors and save huge money. Check Amazon.com for tools. I got free delivery on big stuff like drill presses etc. I shipped a 40' container from California to Melbourne for about $5000 so the money you save on the kitchen, could pay for the tools and their return to Oz.

Good luck! Got me craving a chile relleno platter now.. DOH!!!

Hey Goldfields,

Thanks for great advice, I'll make sure to think about all your points before making decisions / when i'm in the middle of the project.

Thanks!

Geoff