The process of purchasing cabinets for your kitchen is narrowed down to two selections. You can either purchase new cabinets online or at a home improvement store. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and understanding these will help you make the choice best suited for your needs.
The opportunity to order kitchen cabinets online from a professional company is wonderful. If affords you the opportunity to design the cabinets you want, order them, and pay for them without leaving the comfort of your home. Another advantage associated with this is that you have many more options available to you online than you do visiting a store. Online, there is a direct competition which the physical world does not have. As such, prices are more competitive because the internet hosts companies from around the world. You are also able to order your kitchen cabinets directly from the manufacturers which can either reduce the price because it cuts out the middle man or can increase the price because of the higher quality.
While these are great advantages some of the disadvantages are that you do not have direct access to manufacturers which limits your ability to submit customer service complaints. It is much more difficult to return cabinets to the manufacturer than it is to a local company if defects are discovered. It is best to research the company before you buy to ensure that you have the opportunity to submit such returns if necessary. You can check for any prior complaints with customer report sites and the Better Business Bureau. Another disadvantage is that you are not able to see the product before you buy it. Many reputable online companies will sell a small sample for you to see and feel and match to your home before buying. This price is well worth removing the hassle of possibly sending back twenty kitchen cabinets.
When you buy kitchen cabinets locally you can see the product before you buy. This makes it easier to match any potential pieces to the existing woodwork in your kitchen, your cabinets, or other trim. You don’t have to pay for shipping which can save you hundreds depending on the size of your order. Additionally, many home improvement stores provide installation services. However, when you buy your kitchen cabinets locally you are limited in terms of the choices and selections. Because physical locations cannot house as much as warehouses off-site, local purchasing is more limited in its selection than online warehouses. So while kitchen design centers might have larger selections than local home improvement stores, they do cost more.