Kitchen Cabinets: Top 7 Decisions to Make Before You Request Quotes
If you request cabinet quotes too early, you usually get one of two outcomes: numbers that aren’t comparable, or “starter quotes” that grow once real details show up. This quick guide lists the 7 decisions that make quotes accurate the first time—so you can compare apples to apples and avoid change orders.
1) Decide your budget range and what the quote must include
Before you ask for pricing, define what “quote” means. At minimum, ask every vendor to break out:
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Cabinets (boxes + doors)
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Panels and trim (end panels, appliance panels, toe kick, crown/light rail)
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Hardware (hinges/slides brand level)
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Delivery and installation
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Demo/haul-away (if needed)
What to send: your budget range (even a wide one) and whether you want materials-only or installed pricing.
2) Choose cabinet type and door style baseline
You don’t need every detail yet—but you do need a baseline so pricing isn’t meaningless.
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Cabinet type: stock vs semi-custom vs custom
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Door style: slab, Shaker, inset/overlay
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Finish direction: painted vs stained vs laminate
What to send: 2–3 inspiration photos and your preferred door style.
3) Confirm layout constraints and clearances
Layout drives cost more than most people expect—especially islands and tight aisles. Use a simple rule of thumb from NKBA planning guidelines:
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Work aisle: at least 42 inches for one cook, 48 inches for multiple cooks.
What to send: a rough sketch with island size, aisle widths, and which walls are staying/going.
4) Measure the room (the “quote-ready” way)
You don’t need CAD drawings. You do need basic measurements so vendors can design accurately.
Lowe’s measuring guidance recommends:
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Measure walls, doors, and windows to the outside of the molding
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Record window heights (floor → sill, sill → top, top → ceiling)
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Include plumbing, electric, and gas lines on your drawing
What to send: photos of each wall + a simple measured sketch.
5) Pick your “must-have” storage upgrades (so quotes match real life)
Organizers change pricing fast—so decide what matters before you quote.
A good approach:
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Must-have: trash pullout, wide drawers, pantry pullouts
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Nice-to-have: spice pullout, tray dividers, utensil inserts
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Skip: anything you won’t use weekly
Houzz data shows homeowners frequently add functional upgrades like pullout cabinets and additional lighting during kitchen renovations—so you’re not alone prioritizing these.
What to send: your top 3 “must-have” storage items.
6) Decide your lighting plan early (especially under-cabinet)
Lighting impacts wiring, trim, and sometimes cabinet construction (valances, channels, glass shelves).
For quoting, you only need to decide:
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Under-cabinet lighting: yes/no
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In-cabinet display lighting (glass doors): yes/no
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Toe-kick night lighting: yes/no
Houzz trends also show “additional lighting” is a common upgrade homeowners incorporate.
What to send: a simple “yes/no” list for the three lighting types above.
7) Lock your timeline and identify permit triggers
Timeline affects lead times and install scheduling. In Houston, permitting usually becomes relevant when you change:
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Electrical (new circuits/outlets/relocation)
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Plumbing (moving sink/dishwasher)
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Gas lines
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Structural walls or hood venting
What to send: target install month and whether you’re moving plumbing/electrical.
Copy/paste: “Cabinet Quote Request Checklist”
Send this to every vendor so quotes are comparable:
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Address + ZIP
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Photos of each wall + overall kitchen
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Measured sketch (walls, windows/doors, ceiling height, plumbing/electric/gas locations)
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Cabinet type + door style (slab/Shaker + inset/overlay)
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Finish direction (paint/stain/laminate)
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Top 3 storage must-haves (pullouts, trash, wide drawers)
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Lighting: under-cabinet / in-cabinet / toe-kick (yes/no)
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Timeline + whether utilities are moving
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Request line-item quote (cabinets, panels/trim, hardware grade, delivery, install)
