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  • Ready to Assemble or RTA Kitchen Cabinets

  • How to Choose an Installer

Ready to Assemble or RTA Kitchen Cabinets

Ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets (RTA), also known as knock-down kitchens(KD), flat pack cabinets, is a form of  kitchen cabinets that requires customer assembly. The separate components are packed in cartons which also contain assembly instructions or videos available on Youtube. The furniture is generally simple to assemble with basic tools such as screwdrivers, staplers, adhesive etc.

Ready-to-assemble kitchen cabinets are popular with consumers who wish to save money by assembling the product themselves.

Producers and merchants benefit from selling ready-to-assemble furniture because cabinets are bulky once assembled, and thus more expensive to store and to deliver. Since the assembly work is done by the consumer instead of by the manufacturer, its price is lower.

Current quality of RTA kitchens are inline with some of the most popular name brand kitchens sold at Big Box Stores at a fraction of their price.

Our RTA cabinets are all wood construction meaning, cabinet boxes are made of plywood. Framed cabinets come with solid wood face frames. Doors are either all wood or a hybrid mix of wood and MDF, this type of door is very stable for painted doors. The more modern Frameless cabinets do not have a frame and are also available with the newer metal Tandum drawer system.

RTA cabinets come in the same wood species as pre assembled or custom kitchens. Available in maple, birch, rift cut oak, oak, MDF, thermofoil, acrylic and laquer. The selection is huge!

Please remember we also offer our RTA kitchen cabinets assembled, for a small fee the assembly is done at the manufacturer's warehouse.

How to Choose an Installer

Finding the right installer for you

Whether you’re simply updating your kitchen and bath or looking to completely transform your space, we know choosing your installer is just as important as choosing the products for your project.

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Where to start looking?

•   Ask family and friends for recommendations

•   Check out websites that rate tradesmen

•   Angies List

•   The BBB

Some Tips

•   Look for installers who specialize in kitchen and bathroom installations

•   Look at their experience as much as accreditations and qualifications

•   Ask for references

•   Check their rating, customer reviews and photos from previous projects

Before Selecting an Installer

•  Ask the installers to visit your home to get a full view of your room and be able to estimate the cost of work required

•  Make sure all quotes are like-for-like

•  Do they all include materials and work that needs to be done, as well as any subcontracting the tradesman may do?  Make sure you know exactly what’s included and importantly, what’s not!

•  Get quotes from at least three installers - the detail and scope of their quote can tell you a lot about their process. It can also help you spot any quotes that seem unreasonably low

•  You should only pay on completion or at stages when you’ve agreed a payment plan, once you are happy with the quality of workmanship

•  Ensure a pre-installation survey is carried out when quotes are being estimated

•  Agree parking arrangements and working hours

•  Check their familiarity with building regulations

•  Check their availability. Reputable installers are booked up for weeks in advance, so if they’re available soon, exercise some caution

•  Meet the person who’ll be doing the actual installation. Are they friendly and do they give you any ideas or practical advice?

•  Ask for their Trade License

•  Check with the Attorney Generals Office about the individual or company.

Making the Final Decision. Ask Your Self the Following:

•  What qualifications and experience do they have? Ask for examples of previous work from their portfolio and don’t be afraid to ask for references from previous customers where they are available

•  Who’ll do the electrical and gas works required for the installation? If the installer you have selected is not qualified in these areas, will they organize a subcontractor to carry out these works for you or are you expected to do so?

•  ARE they licensed to perform such work?

•  Will they be removing and disposing of your old kitchen, bathroom or bedroom (or any parts of it) and if so, are the costs included in the quote?

•  Will they make good any damage resulting from removing your old kitchen/bathroom/bedroom?

•  When will they deliver any materials required for the installation and where will these be stored?

•  Ask for a ‘Schedule of work’ which includes:

•  A description of the agreed installation works that have been quoted for

•  Project timetable, with a start date and estimated completion date

•  Ensure there’ll be follow-ups when your project is completed to ensure there are no concerns post-installation

•  Can changes be made to the Schedule of work once you’ve placed your order?

•  Do they have public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance cover? Does this cover works carried out by any subcontractors they may use?

•  Do they have a health and safety policy to manage any health and safety hazards that may arise during the installation?

•  What guarantees/warranties does the installer offer for the works and products supplied? Just like your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom is guaranteed, the installer’s work (and works completed by their subcontractors) should be guaranteed too. It’ll give you peace of mind if something should go wrong.

•  Ask for a copy of the installer’s terms and conditions and ask about their cancellation and refund policy

•  How long is the quote valid for?

•  How do you place the order for the works?

•  Who will the point of contact be for the project?

Making sure you’re comfortable with your installer

Kitchen, bathroom and bedroom installations aren’t completed in a couple of hours. Depending on the size of the job, it can take up to several weeks. Think about whether you could work with your installer on a daily basis. Being able to maintain good communication throughout the project is essential and you should feel comfortable speaking openly about any concerns that may arise.

Installer Has Been Chosen? Great! Now...

•  Share your completed measurement guide with your installer and discuss your room plans

•  Share any blue prints or floor plans you may have.

•  Ensure they double check and sign off the measurements before you place your order

•  Your installer will be responsible for making your kitchen or bathroom to fit perfectly

•  Discuss with them how much time should you allow between your delivery date and when you book your installer to start work

Please note: This advice and any advice provided by any our employee or company is intended for guidance purposes only. Wholesalekitchens.us provides no warranty or assurance in respect of the performance of any tradesmen who Wholesalekitchens.us may recommend or suggest to you and accepts no liability in respect of their performance or the content of any third party websites referred to in this leaflet.

Disclaimer: If you provide us with measurements you must ensure they are correct and accurate. You are responsible for the accuracy of measurements you provide. If there is an error in the measurements you supply and the Products and/or Services are made or supplied to those measurements, we will not refund the cost of the Products and/or Services provided, unless the Products are faulty or we have failed to exercise reasonable skill and care.

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