3 Tips to Buy Kitchen Cabinets Online

In today’s online world, you can buy everything from shoes and mattresses to SUVs over the internet. Would you buy custom kitchen cabinets online?

When faced with this question, many homeowners balk. “Cabinetry is such a major purchase that I could never buy them online!”

In fact, buying kitchen cabinets online is a fairly simple process and it also eliminates a lot of the inconvenient appointments associated with visits to local kitchen dealerships or big box stores.

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, weigh some of the advantages and disadvantages to see if buying kitchen cabinetry online is right for you. Here are some common objections, and 3 tips to help you decide.

Common Objections to Buying Kitchen Cabinets Online

1. There’s no showroom to see and touch the cabinets

If you can’t see and touch the product, can you trust its quality? It’s a question that’s been around since the early days of the internet, and the doubts raised by that question are for some a major deterrent to buying cabinets online.

Other homeowners understand that the internet provides many other ways for homeowners to find out about an online cabinet company’s products and services:

• Know your cabinets. Take time to learn about how to identify characteristics of quality cabinetry. Does the company sell fully assembled cabinets or ready-to-assemble cabinets? Are the cabinets made of plywood, or engineered wood? Are the door and drawer hinges soft-closing? Knowing what to look for will help you compare different online cabinet suppliers.
• Order cabinet samples. Even if it’s not the full box, ordering a cabinet sample will give you a realistic look at the wood quality and finish color. In-person samples may or may not look the same in your kitchen as they do through the computer screen.
• Browse galleries. Kitchen and bath photo galleries are virtual showrooms. Use them to assess whether you can see yourself with a similar kitchen style or feature.
• Read reviews. Nearly 70% of consumers rely on online reviews before making a purchase. The more that a company is consistently well-reviewed (especially on independent, third-party sites like Houzz and the BBB), the more you can have confidence in having a good experience.
• Give the product a test drive. If by chance you happen to be remodeling a bathroom, laundry room, or home office along with your kitchen, you can try out the company with a smaller project. This will also give you critical information about the level of customer service and support throughout the design and post-sale process.

2. Internet brands are younger and less established

Most people only undertake kitchen remodeling once. Not only do you want a good product and price, but you also want to know that you can trust the cabinet company to provide a high level of service and quality. A good reputation is important. Luckily, the internet provides you with a lot of transparency.

Questions to ask:

• How long has this business been around? Where are they located?
• How are their reviews on third-party sites like Houzz and the Better Business Bureau?
• What’s the size of their design team? How experienced are they?
• What kind of cabinets do they sell? RTA cabinets, stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets?
• If the cabinets are pre-assembled, how are they assembled?
• Are they the manufacturer, or do they re-sell other people’s products?

3. I need to take measurements and hire installers

Homeowners will need to take simple measurements of their space. Taking accurate measurements is not a difficult task, especially for the DIY-inclined, but some homeowners find it overwhelming and choose to use a contractor for those details.

Referral services such as NARI and HomeAdvisor will help you hire a contractor to install the cabinets for you. Asking family and friends is also a great way to find a qualified, trustworthy contractor. If you prefer to avoid the hassle, Cliqstudios’ measurement and installation services that are offered in many major markets across the country.