Half the kitchens we supply used to start in a showroom: a Saturday appointment, a "free design consultation," and a quote that arrives by email three days later with no itemized prices. The other path — buying online — saves real money but has its own traps. Here's what to actually check.
1. Demand construction specs, not adjectives
"Premium quality" means nothing. Look for the specific sentence: what is the box made of? The lines we carry publish it: plywood boxes (1/2" framed, 3/4" frameless) with birch veneer, solid-wood doors, 5/8" dovetailed birch drawers, soft-close concealed hinges, full-extension undermount glides. If a seller won't put the materials in writing, the box is particle board. Read ours on each collection page.
2. Real prices beat quote-only pricing
A seller who publishes per-cabinet prices can be comparison-shopped; a seller who quotes can charge whatever the consultation suggested you'd accept. Our benchmark: a complete 10×10 kitchen runs $3,889–$7,592 depending on line and finish — every cabinet's price is on the site, and the design studio totals your exact layout live.
3. Ask the local questions
- Who pays freight damage? National RTA shippers crate cabinets onto LTL freight — damage claims are on you. We deliver locally on our own schedule; problems get fixed by people you can call. Our delivery zones.
- What's the real lead time? "Ships in 2 days" often means the white doors only. Get the lead time for your finish in writing.
- Are fillers, panels, and toe kicks available in your finish? A kitchen needs them; some discount lines don't stock them.
4. Assembled vs. RTA
Ready-to-assemble saves money until your installer bills 30–45 minutes per box to assemble it ($50–$90 each in Bay Area labor — over $1,000 on a full kitchen). Price the assembled comparison before deciding the RTA discount is real.
5. Design help shouldn't cost the markup
Showrooms justify their pricing with design service. Fair — but a free layout tool with live pricing plus a phone call covers most kitchens. Send us measurements and we'll sanity-check your layout before you order: (408) 657-3325.