Cabinets are top of mind among homeowners considering kitchen remodels, and it's easy to understand why. The role of cabinetry in the finished look and function of the space is crucial to the success of a kitchen design and the enjoyment of spending time there. And since roughly 60 percent of an average kitchen’s cost is spent on the cabinetry, choosing the right cabinets is a critical decision in remodeling and in new construction. So how do you handle picking out the right cabinetry for the kitchen or advising your client on what to choose?

I recommend that homeowners compare wood or laminate finishes in their selection process. They also should ask about the way the cabinet finish is achieved. The best wood cabinet finishes use a multiple step process of sanding, sealing, hand-wipe staining, and finish coating. Other critical steps in the cabinetry selection process include accurately measuring the space available in the kitchen and surveying the overall configuration of the room to determine the best possible design choices for aesthetic, functional cabinets within budget parameters.

The final but possibly most important step is to order the cabinetry correctly. Because cabinetry fits together like a giant Lego set with dozens—even hundreds—of parts and pieces, ordering is no easy assignment. Failure to order all of the parts can result in delays that could put everything on hold for weeks or months, depending on what the part is. For example, a missing or wrong base cabinet means that the countertop can't be installed, and that means the sink and cooktop can't be put in.

In addition, today's emphasis on the furniture look in cabinetry, with a continuing trend toward ornate European country styles, means that installation is very labor-intensive. In fact, it often is more like cabinetmaking than simple installation. That's all the more reason for remodelers to consider calling in cabinetry professionals to handle that part of the project.