Why the contractor matters more than the quote
It's tempting to pick a carpentry contractor purely on price. But cabinet and wardrobe work is one of those renovation categories where the gap between a good job and a bad one only shows up months later — doors that sag, drawers that stick, or a finish that chips at the edges. A slightly higher quote from a contractor who fabricates properly and stands behind their work is usually the better deal.
Factory-direct vs. middleman — ask this first
Some contractors design and sell the job, then subcontract fabrication and installation to a third party. Others — like Aster — design, build and install everything in-house, which usually means a shorter chain of markups and a single team accountable for the whole result.
A simple question surfaces this quickly: “Where is this actually built, and who installs it?” A contractor who can answer specifically (and let you visit the factory) is a good sign.
A checklist of questions to ask before you sign
- What material and hardware brand are quoted, specifically — not just “laminate” or “soft-close,” but the actual spec?
- Is the quote based on an actual site visit, or estimated from photos/measurements you provided?
- Who installs the job — the same company, or a separate subcontracted crew?
- What's the expected timeline from confirmation to install day, and what happens if it slips?
- What warranty is offered, and what does it actually cover (hinges and hardware vs. structural issues)?
- Can you see examples of similar work they've completed — ideally in person, not just photos?
Red flags worth pausing on
- A quote given with no site visit at all, for anything beyond a very simple job.
- Vague material specs (“good quality board” without naming the material).
- Large upfront deposits with no clear payment schedule tied to milestones.
- Reluctance to share a factory address or let you see past work.
Comparing quotes apples-to-apples
Before comparing numbers across contractors, line up material, hardware tier, and running length so you're actually comparing the same job. Once those match, differences usually reflect installation quality, warranty terms, and how much of the process happens in-house — see our three-step process for how we structure ours, from first chat through design to installation.