The initial quote is one of the most important documents you’ll work with during your kitchen renovation. Unfortunately, understanding it isn’t as easy as you might think.
Getting a kitchen renovation quote is usually the first step you’ll take towards starting your kitchen remodel. Comparing quotes is the best way to ensure you get a great quality kitchen renovation for a fair price. Obtaining estimates from a few kitchen contractors is a great way to gauge the going rate for labour, materials and finishes.
While this might seem simple, there are hundreds of variables involved in remodelling a kitchen and equally as many ways to set up a quote. Understanding the different formats, line items, inclusions and exclusions can be overwhelming – especially when the document includes industry jargon that you might not be familiar with.
To help you make accurate comparisons, we’ve outlined a few things to consider when assessing the quotes you receive.
Get the details
The first thing to look out for when inspecting the estimates sent to you by kitchen design companies is how much detail the quotes contain. The more specifics, the better. A multi-page quote might seem intimidating when you first receive it, but more detail will enable you to better understand what you’ll be getting when your kitchen is installed. This can also help to protect you further down the road if the final product isn’t as expected.
A detailed quote also ensures that the kitchen contractor you’re working with hasn’t provided you with a broad estimate. Although an estimated price might seem cheaper at the start, vague costing will certainly result in significant cost variations during the project.
Kitchen layout
It’s important to compare apples with apples. Despite being a cliché, this saying delivers some extremely valuable advice. You want to make sure that each quote you receive is based on the same kitchen layout. Adding a peninsula here or a pantry cupboard there might seem like minor differences, but changes to the floor plan quickly increase the overall price of a kitchen renovation. The floor plan should be referenced in the quote and a copy of the layout and perspective drawings attached to the estimate.
Materials
A comprehensive quotation should give a breakdown of all the items and materials that will be used in your kitchen renovation. The colour, brand and codes of various fixtures and fittings should be indicated, along with how many of each item will be used.
As with layout, different materials can drastically affect the price of a kitchen. Granite or engineered stone will cost much more than postform tops, solid metal handles and pulls will be more expensive than plastic, and spray cabinets will outstrip melamine. Although one choice is not necessarily better than another here, you will need to make a fair comparison between like products.
If you are considering various finishes and wish to make a price comparison between these, your kitchen designer should draw up multiple, individually priced options. Each of these must outline exactly which combinations of materials are used and the resultant cost.
Inclusions and exclusions
It might seem obvious, but many clients overlook the specific goods and services that are included and excluded on a quotation. Are plumbing and electrical covered? Will the kitchen contractor demolish and remove the old kitchen? Do you have to buy your own appliances? Does the quoted price include VAT? The answers to these questions will affect the final cost of your kitchen renovation.
Quality hardware and accessories
One place you should never skimp when renovating your kitchen is hardware. Quality hinges, runners and specialist accessories are essential for ensuring the longevity of your kitchen installation. Substandard fixtures will see sagging doors, scraping drawers and pull-out racks that run skew after just a few years. This will affect both the functionality of your kitchen and how soon after the renovation you’ll need to look at another remodel.
Ensure that your kitchen contractor uses reputable hardware and accessory suppliers. Names like Franke, Blum and Camar are all trusted names in the kitchen hardware business. Look out for them on your quotation.
Warranties
A warranty is a hallmark of quality work. Renovating a kitchen isn’t an inexpensive exercise and you’ll want to ensure that your investment is protected. There are usually multiple warranties that cover various items in a kitchen renovation, all of which should be itemised on your quotation. An optimal warranty will cover both the components and workmanship, ensuring that your kitchen is built well using quality materials and hardware.
Lead time
You’ll naturally want the actual renovating to start right after you sign on the dotted line, but this isn’t always possible. While pre-built, flatpack or kit kitchens come in standard sizes and can be delivered and installed quickly, high-end custom kitchens are built to order and will take some time to manufacture and install. Although it’s not always an indicator of quality, a longer lead time will likely indicate that you’ll end up with a better product.
When you’re comparing kitchen quotes, pay attention to the details, including layout, materials, inclusions, exclusions, hardware, warranties and lead time. If you aren’t sure about anything, call the designer who provided you with the estimate and ask for clarification. Renovating a kitchen is a complex process that involves many moving parts and a significant investment.
At Select-a-Kitchen, we use only the best quality materials and hardware in our kitchen installations. Our installation teams are made up of skilled artisans whose workmanship is guaranteed for a year after installation. Contact us today for an obligation-free quotation.
