Frequently Asked Questions

We design and build kitchens, cabinetry and wardrobes for Auckland homes and workplaces. Design happens with our in-house team, the cabinetry is manufactured in our own Auckland factory, and it is fitted by our installers. You deal with one team from the first sketch to sign-off. See why homeowners choose us.

Yes. We are an Auckland business, and our factory, designers and installers are all here. We cover the wider Auckland region, from the North Shore across the isthmus and out to the eastern and southern suburbs. If you are outside Auckland, get in touch and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.

Book a consultation, either at our showroom or at your home. A home visit is the better first step because we can measure the space and get a feel for how you use it. Fill in the form on our contact page or call 09 837 3450, and we will be in touch within one working day. The full sequence is set out on how we work with you.

Yes. The initial consultation and the first estimate with a 3D design concept are free, and you are under no obligation to proceed. A fixed quote follows later, once you have settled on your layout and materials.

Either works, but we recommend the home visit for a first meeting. It lets the designer measure the site, see the light, and understand how the room connects to the rest of the house. The showroom is useful once you want to handle door samples, benchtop offcuts and hardware in person.

Nothing formal is required. A rough budget range, a few photos of your current space, and any images you have saved of layouts or finishes you like all help. If you know what frustrates you about the existing kitchen or storage, tell us. That tends to shape the design more than a wish list of features.

No. Most people come to us with a problem and a rough idea, not a plan. Working out the layout is our job. If you already have an architect’s drawings, bring them and we will design the cabinetry to suit.

Yes. If you are working with an architect, such as Sonder Architecture, or an interior designer, we can take their drawings and detail, manufacture and install the cabinetry. We are happy to be involved while the wider design is still being worked out.

Both. A full kitchen is common, but we also build single wardrobes, laundries, media units, home offices and one-off cabinetry pieces. If it is joinery for the home, ask us.

Yes. Alongside residential kitchens and cabinetry, we fit out shops, offices and other commercial spaces. See our commercial page or the shop re-fitting and offices page.

Yes. Our projects page shows completed kitchens, cabinetry and wardrobes, and our client reviews page collects what past clients have said. Ask during your consultation and we can point you to projects similar to yours.

Cabinetry for a full kitchen typically runs from about $8,000 for budget flat-pack up to $35,000 or more for bespoke work, with most Auckland family kitchens landing between $15,000 and $28,000 for the cabinetry alone. Benchtops, appliances and trades are on top of that. The detailed breakdown is in our guide to kitchen cabinet costs in NZ, or run the numbers with our kitchen cost calculator.

As a rough guide from our own quotes: budget flat-pack sits around $8,000 to $14,000, mid-range custom cabinetry (the most common choice for Auckland homes) between $15,000 and $24,000, upper-mid to premium around $25,000 to $35,000, and high-end bespoke $35,000 to $55,000 and up. Full context is in our kitchen cabinet cost guide.

It depends heavily on the material. Installed prices from our benchtop guide run roughly: laminate $120 to $440 per square metre, timber $350 to $900, engineered stone $720 to $2,000 (most Auckland kitchens sit here), granite $700 to $1,700, and porcelain or sintered stone $900 to $1,800. A benchtop-only replacement in a typical kitchen runs from about $4,000 at the laminate end to $14,000-plus in premium stone. See kitchen benchtop costs in NZ.

A custom wardrobe in Auckland runs roughly $2,500 to $15,000 and up. A built-in reach-in typically sits around $2,000 to $8,000, and a full walk-in $10,000 to $20,000, depending on size, board, hardware and internal fit-out. The full breakdown is in our guide to the cost of a custom wardrobe, or try the wardrobe cost calculator.

A laundry renovation in New Zealand typically costs $3,000 to $8,000 for a basic refresh and $8,000 to $15,000 for a mid-range fit-out. For cabinetry on its own, a basic run sits around $800 to $1,500 and mid-range $1,500 to $3,000. The component-by-component breakdown is in how much a laundry renovation costs in NZ.

Because most of the cost sits where you cannot see it. Carcass board quality, hinge and runner brand, benchtop material, the number of drawers versus doors, and how much is custom rather than standard all move the price. Two kitchens with the same floor plan can be quoted $15,000 apart and both be fair. We walk you through the drivers so you know what you are paying for.

Yes, and it helps if you tell us the figure early. Knowing your ceiling lets the designer make sensible calls on materials and layout rather than designing something we then have to cut back. A budget is not a limit on the design so much as the brief for it.

Yes. We have calculators for kitchens, custom wardrobes, benchtop replacement and laundry cabinetry, gathered on our tools page. They give you a ballpark before you commit to a consultation, not a formal quote.

No. A calculator gives you an indicative range so you know roughly whether you are looking at a $4,000 job or a $14,000 one. Your actual quote is fixed once we have measured the site and you have chosen your layout, materials and hardware. The two usually sit in the same ballpark.

Our quote covers what we design, manufacture and install. Items often quoted separately or by others include appliances, benchtop stone from the stonemason, plumbing and electrical work, tiling, flooring and painting. We flag these clearly so there are no surprises, and we coordinate the trades where it makes sense.

Yes. We offer up to 24 months interest-free through Q Mastercard and Q Card on qualifying renovation projects, with a minimum purchase of $985. Fees, lending criteria and terms apply, and a standard interest rate applies to any balance left at the end of the interest-free period. Full details and current terms are on our finance page.

The first estimate and 3D concept are free. Detailed design and documentation are part of the project once you decide to proceed. There is no separate design bill dropped on you later; it is built into how we quote the work.

Allow several weeks from signing off the design to a finished install. The bulk of that is manufacturing in our factory, plus lead times on your chosen materials and appliances. The on-site install itself is short; the calendar time is mostly making the cabinetry properly.

Cabinetry installation usually takes one to two days depending on the size of the job. Benchtops and splashbacks are templated after the cabinets are in, then installed around ten days later. Appliances are connected after that, then the project is signed off.

Stone and solid-surface benchtops are templated off the installed cabinets so they fit exactly, then fabricated to that template, which takes roughly ten days. Templating off the real cabinets rather than a drawing is what gives you tight, accurate joins.

After the consultation, the designer develops an estimate and a 3D concept and sends it through, usually within one to two days. It reflects your wish list and the conversation you had on site.

Within one working day of receiving your form. Call 09 837 3450 if you would rather talk straight away.

Manufacturing begins once we have your deposit and a final site measure. The design, quoting and material selection stages come first, and their length depends largely on how quickly decisions get made. The more settled you are on the look, the faster this part moves.

The usual culprits are late material or appliance lead times, changes to the design after manufacturing has started, and site work by other trades that runs behind. Structural changes that need building consent add their own timeline. We flag these risks early rather than at the end.

Often, yes, if you come to us with enough runway. The limiting factor is usually material lead times and the manufacturing queue, not the install. Tell us the date at the first meeting and we will tell you honestly whether it is realistic.

A standalone wardrobe or joinery piece is quicker than a full kitchen because there are fewer trades and usually no benchtop templating. Timing still depends on board and hardware lead times and the factory schedule. We give you a date range with your quote.

Only for part of it. Your existing kitchen typically stays in use until close to install. The disruptive window is the install itself and the gap before benchtops go in, when you will be without a bench and sometimes without a hob. We talk through a temporary setup so you can get by.

Yes. Once your deposit is in and the final measure is done, delivery and install are scheduled for a set day. The project manager coordinates that date with the electricians, plumbers and benchtop fabricators so the sequence runs in order.

We design it. Our in-house designers work through layout, storage, materials and finishes with you. If you already have an interior designer or architect, we work alongside them and detail the cabinetry to their scheme.

Yes. You get a 3D design with the first estimate, and 2D drawings and 3D renderings are developed as the design is finalised. You sign off on the look before anything is manufactured.

Custom. We do not believe one design fits every home. The layout, cabinetry sizes and internal fit-out are drawn for your space and how you use it. That is the point of building here rather than importing flat-pack.

It depends on the room’s shape, the doors and windows, and how many people cook at once. Galley, L-shaped, U-shaped and island layouts each suit different rooms. Rather than start from a shape, we start from how you move through the space and work back to the layout. Our kitchen designers’ guide covers the thinking.

Sometimes, and sometimes a peninsula is the smarter call. An island needs clear space around it to work, usually about a metre of walkway on each side. In a tighter room, forcing an island can make the kitchen worse. We will tell you honestly whether yours has the room.

Full-height cabinets, drawers instead of doors in the base units, pull-out corner systems, and a considered pantry usually do more than adding cabinets. Good storage is about fitting the internals to what you actually own. See our small kitchen design guide.

Yes. A butler’s pantry or scullery takes the mess and the appliances out of the main kitchen and is one of the more popular additions in Auckland renovations. It needs to be planned into the layout early. Our butler’s pantry ideas post is a good starting point.

Yes. Colour, door style, handle choice and benchtop can all be pitched to sit with your home’s era and the adjoining rooms, whether that is a villa, a mid-century place or a new build. Bring photos of the connecting spaces to the consultation.

That is normal, and it is easier to work out in person. Handling samples and looking at completed projects usually sharpens it faster than scrolling. The designer’s job is to translate a rough feel into specific door, colour and benchtop choices.

Yes, and it is better if you decide on appliances early. Ovens, fridges, dishwashers and rangehoods all set cabinet dimensions and clearances. Give us the models or the specs and we design the cabinetry around them so everything fits properly.

We plan cabinetry around where power, sinks and appliances need to be, and coordinate with the electricians and plumbers so the locations are right before install. Under-cabinet lighting and internal cabinet lighting are worth deciding on at the design stage rather than adding later.

The common options are melamine (such as Melteca), vinyl-wrap or thermoform, polyurethane (2-pot lacquer) and timber veneer. Each has a different look, price and wear behaviour. As a supply guide, melamine doors run roughly $60 to $110, polyurethane $140 to $200-plus, and timber veneer $160 to $240 and up. See our cabinet cost guide.

Melamine (Melteca) is a durable, cost-effective factory laminate. Vinyl-wrap and thermoform give a smooth painted look with routed profiles at a mid price. Polyurethane is a sprayed 2-pot lacquer with the smoothest premium finish, in matte or gloss. Our posts on thermoform doors and acrylic versus laminate go deeper.

Engineered stone is where most Auckland kitchens land for its durability and continuous look. Porcelain and sintered stone suit indoor-outdoor flows and heat tolerance, laminate is the value workhorse, and timber suits character homes. The trade-offs by material are laid out in our benchtop guide.

The rules around engineered stone have changed, and there are now good alternatives worth understanding before you choose. We cover the current options, including porcelain and sintered stone, in our post on engineered stone alternatives in NZ. We will talk you through what is compliant and practical for your kitchen at the design stage.

The carcass is the part you do not see but rely on daily, and moisture-resistant board matters in wet zones under sinks. The step up from standard to MR board across a kitchen is typically modest against the whole job, and worth it. We specify the board grade in your quote rather than leaving it vague.

We use Blum and Hettich hinges and runners, both of which carry lifetime warranties, and Blanco sinks. Hardware is where a kitchen either keeps feeling solid or starts to sag, so it is not the place to cut. See our guarantee page for the warranty detail.

Soft-close on drawers and doors is a common inclusion and one of the upgrades people notice daily. It is driven by the runner and hinge choice. Our post on soft-close kitchen drawers explains how they work and why the brand matters.

Yes. Handleless kitchens use either a routed finger-pull or a J-pull profile, or push-to-open hardware, for a clean uninterrupted front. It is a premium look with a few practical trade-offs worth knowing. See our post on the handleless kitchen.

Tile, glass, stone to match the benchtop, and full-height slab splashbacks are all options, each with a different look and clean-up. Our kitchen splashback ideas post runs through them.

Start with the fixed things you cannot change (floor, wall light, adjoining rooms) and choose cabinetry colour to sit with them, rather than in isolation. Two-tone schemes, where uppers and lowers differ, are a common way to add depth. Our kitchen colour tips post helps.

We use quality materials backed by their suppliers, including PrimePanels, Bestwood, Melteca and Laminex laminates and Caesarstone surfaces, with the manufacturer warranties that come with them. The full list of brands and their warranty terms is on our guarantee page.

In order: you get in touch; we consult at your home or showroom; you receive a free estimate and 3D concept; the design and materials are finalised into a detailed fixed quote; you pay a deposit; we do a final measure and manufacture; then we deliver, install and sign off with your warranties. The full description is on how we work with you.

The first estimate comes with your 3D concept. The detailed fixed quote is produced once you have finalised the design and chosen your materials, so it reflects the actual kitchen rather than a starting point. You approve that fixed quote before manufacturing.

Yes. You have a project manager who coordinates supply deliveries, timelines and the trades on site. Because design, manufacturing and installation are all in-house, there is one team accountable rather than a chain of subcontractors passing the job along.

A deposit is required before manufacturing begins, and the balance is structured across the project. The specific deposit and payment stages are set out in your quote so you can see the schedule before you commit. Ask your designer to walk you through it.

We liaise with the electricians and plumbers to confirm the correct locations on site, and the project manager coordinates their timing with the install. Depending on your project, these trades may be ours or yours; either way we make sure the sequence lines up.

Once your deposit is in, we do a final site visit to take accurate measurements of the actual space. Those measurements feed our machines, so the cabinetry is made to the real room rather than an early drawing. This is why the fit is tight at install.

Changes are much easier before manufacturing than after. Once cabinetry is in production, altering sizes, handle positions or drawer layouts can add cost and time. We lock the design deliberately at the quote stage so you are sure before we cut anything.

In our own Auckland factory, on automated machinery that cuts, edges and finishes the cabinetry to the design with minimal manual handling. Keeping manufacturing in-house is how we control both quality and the timeline. Our post on how custom kitchen cabinets are made shows the process.

Your cabinetry is delivered on the scheduled day and installed by our installers under the project manager, usually over one to two days. Benchtops and splashbacks are templated once the cabinets are in, then fitted about ten days later, and appliances are connected after that.

Once the cabinetry, benchtops and appliances are in and you are satisfied, the project is signed off and you receive all the warranties and guarantees for the work. That is the point at which the job is considered complete.

Removal of the old kitchen and site clean-up can be arranged as part of the project. Confirm what is included in your quote, as it can vary depending on whether other trades are involved and how the old materials are disposed of.

Both. We can supply and install the cabinetry as part of a wider renovation others are running, or manage the kitchen more fully. See our kitchen renovation Auckland page for how we approach a full kitchen.

Yes. Spending where it shows and holding back where it does not is the whole craft of a value kitchen. Sensible board, a well-chosen laminate door and good drawers can look far better than the price suggests. See our affordable kitchens page.

Yes. Small kitchens and apartments are their own discipline, where layout and storage matter more than square metres. We cover the constraints, including body-corporate and lift-access issues in apartments, in our posts on small kitchen design and apartment kitchen renovations.

Yes. We do a lot of kitchens across the North Shore. See our kitchen renovation North Shore page.

Modular kitchens are built from standard-sized boxes, which is quicker and cheaper but limits the fit. Custom cabinetry is made to your exact space and needs. We build custom in our own factory, which is why the cabinets fit the room rather than the room being worked around the boxes. Our post on modular versus custom kitchens compares them.

If your existing carcasses are sound and square, refacing (new doors and drawer fronts on the existing boxes) can refresh a kitchen for roughly $2,000 to $6,000 rather than $15,000 to $35,000 for a full replacement. It only makes sense if the underlying cabinets are in good shape, and we will tell you honestly whether yours qualify.

Kitchens tend to return more at resale than most renovation categories, which is why the difference between, say, a $15,000 and a $22,000 budget is worth thinking through against your plans for the house. We would rather help you spend the right amount than the most.

A few things carry most of the perceived quality: a continuous benchtop, full-height cabinetry, considered handles and a restrained colour scheme. Our post on how to achieve a high-end kitchen look covers the levers that matter most.

Common ones include too little bench space beside the hob and sink, forcing in an island that crowds the room, and under-planning storage. Our post on kitchen design mistakes runs through the ones we see most.

Yes, and they have particular demands: more storage, durable finishes, and a layout that lets more than one person work at once. A scullery or butler’s pantry often earns its place here. See our post on kitchen renovations for large families.

In practice we use them interchangeably for built cabinets: kitchens, wardrobes, laundries, media units and the like. Joinery is the broader trade term for made-to-measure timber and board work. Either way, it is what we design and manufacture in our Auckland factory.

Laundries, wardrobes, media walls, home offices, entryways, bathroom vanities and garage storage among others. If a room needs made-to-measure storage, we can build it. See our posts on media walls, home office cabinetry and bathroom vanities.

Yes. A built-in media wall hides cabling and ties the living room together in a way a bought unit rarely does. It needs to be planned around power, screen size and ventilation. Our media wall design post covers the considerations.

Yes. Built-in desks, shelving and storage make a small office work far harder than freestanding furniture. See our post on home office cabinetry.

Yes. A custom vanity lets you fit the exact width, basin and storage your bathroom needs, with moisture-resistant materials for the wet environment. See our custom bathroom vanity page.

Yes. A well-planned laundry hides the machines, adds bench space for folding and finds storage for the awkward household items. We cover layouts in our laundry design and small laundry ideas posts, and costs in our laundry cost guide.

Yes. Custom garage storage, from wall systems to full cabinetry, turns a cluttered garage into usable space. Our post on garage storage ideas covers the options.

Yes. Floating shelves are a common request in kitchens and living rooms. Done properly they need concealed fixings sized to the load. See our post on floating shelves.

Flat-pack is standard boxes shipped for assembly. Our cabinetry is cut, edged and finished to your specific design on automated machinery in our factory, then installed by our team. The difference shows up in fit, finish and how it holds up. See how custom kitchen cabinets are made.

Sometimes, though matching an older finish exactly can be difficult, as board colours and profiles change over time. Bring a sample or a door and we will tell you honestly how close we can get before you commit.

Built-in reach-in wardrobes, walk-in wardrobes, freestanding units and full dressing rooms. The right one depends on your room and how much you store. See our wardrobes page and our post on wardrobe design ideas.

A reach-in fits one wall or recess and you access it from the front, typically costing $2,000 to $8,000 in Auckland. A walk-in fits out two or more walls of a room you step into, so it sits higher, usually $10,000 to $20,000-plus. The jump is mostly material and labour. See the cost of a custom wardrobe.

A walk-in wardrobe in Auckland typically costs $10,000 to $20,000 and up, with smaller walk-ins starting lower. The figure depends on the run length, the board and hardware, and how much drawer and shelving fit-out you include. Details are in our wardrobe cost guide.

Yes. Small and awkward spaces are exactly where custom earns its keep, because a made-to-measure fit-out uses corners and odd heights that standard units waste. See our post on custom wardrobe and storage for small spaces.

The internal fit-out is where a wardrobe earns its price: hanging rails at the right heights, drawers, shelves, shoe racks and pull-outs, planned around what you actually own. A wardrobe stops being storage and starts being part of the room when the internals are right. See wardrobe systems.

Hinged, sliding and mirrored doors are the main options, plus open (doorless) fit-outs for walk-ins. Sliding doors suit tight rooms where a hinged door would foul the bed. Our post on wardrobe doors compares them.

Yes. A freestanding or standalone unit suits rented spaces or rooms where you do not want to build in, and typically costs less than a built-in, around $1,500 to $6,000 depending on size. See our post on freestanding wardrobes.

A built-in usually makes better use of the space and adds more to the room, while a freestanding unit costs less up front and can move with you. If you own the home and plan to stay, built-in tends to win on value. We will talk through which suits your situation.

Yes. Wardrobe doors, colour and handles can be specified to match a headboard wall, bedside units or the rest of the room’s joinery, so it reads as part of the room rather than a bolt-on.

Yes. Entryway and hallway storage, linen cupboards, under-stair joinery and mudroom fit-outs all fall under our storage work. If there is a space that needs organising, bring it to the consultation.

Our own installers, overseen by the project manager, not subcontractors we have never met. Keeping installation in-house is part of how we stand behind the finished result.

Wipe up spills promptly, use a board rather than cutting directly on the surface, and avoid putting hot pans straight down on some materials. Care varies by benchtop type, so we hand over the specific manufacturer guidance for your surface at sign-off.

A soft cloth and mild cleaner is enough for most finishes; harsh abrasives and heavy water pooling on joins are what to avoid. Different door finishes have slightly different care, and we walk you through yours when the project is signed off.

Tell us. Our workmanship and installation warranty is a full-satisfaction guarantee, and because the whole job is in-house, there is one team to call rather than a finger-pointing exercise between suppliers. Details are on the guarantee page.

Doors and drawers can drift slightly out of alignment as a house settles, and quality hinges and runners are adjustable for exactly this. Minor adjustment is normal and part of aftercare. Get in touch if something needs tweaking.

Appliances such as the hob and oven are installed and connected as part of the install sequence, after the benchtops are in. Electrical and gas connection is done by the appropriate licensed trades.

Installing cabinetry sometimes reveals or requires minor making-good of walls and floors, especially in an older home where the previous kitchen hid imperfections. We flag likely making-good during design so it is planned for, not discovered on the day.

Materials carry their manufacturer warranties, and our installation is covered by our workmanship guarantee. If something arrives or fails faulty within warranty, we deal with the supplier and sort the replacement. The brand-by-brand warranty terms are on our guarantee page.

You can use most of the kitchen once cabinets and benchtops are in and appliances connected. There is a short window between cabinet install and benchtop fitting (around ten days) when the bench and sometimes the hob are out of action. We help you plan a temporary setup for that gap.

Yes. You leave with your warranties and guarantees, and we are here for adjustments, questions and warranty matters after sign-off. Get in touch whenever you need us.

Two things: manufacturer warranties on specific items such as surfaces, hardware, sinks and appliances; and our own workmanship and installation warranty, which is a full-satisfaction guarantee on the work we do. The full breakdown is on our guarantee page.

Yes. The guarantee on your kitchen is transferable to the new owners if you sell, which is a genuine selling point at resale. See the guarantee page for the terms.

Blum and Hettich hardware carry lifetime warranties, as do Blanco sinks. These are manufacturer warranties, subject to their terms. The full list is on our guarantee page.

As a guide, Caesarstone and Laminex carry 10-year warranties, PrimePanels and Melteca laminates 7 years, and Bestwood laminates 5 years, each under the manufacturer’s terms. Electrical workmanship is warranted for 12 months. The current terms are on our guarantee page.

Our installation work carries a 5-year installation warranty alongside the full-satisfaction workmanship guarantee, with electrical workmanship covered for 12 months. Manufacturer warranties on the materials sit on top of that. See the guarantee page for specifics.

Up to 24 months interest-free through Q Mastercard and Q Card on qualifying full-price renovation projects, with a minimum purchase of $985. It lets you start the project now and pay over time. Full terms are on our finance page.

It is interest-free for the term if you meet the conditions, but fees apply: an establishment or advance fee and an annual account fee, and a standard interest rate (currently 27.99% pa) applies to any balance still owing at the end of the interest-free period. Paying only the minimum will not clear the balance in time. Read the full terms on our finance page.

The interest-free offer is available to Auckland clients on qualifying renovation projects, subject to Q Card and Q Mastercard lending criteria. Talk to our team about qualifying and any current extended-finance deals. Terms are on the finance page.

Straight cabinetry replacements usually do not, but work that moves plumbing or structural walls, or alters the building, can trigger the need for consent. Consent, restricted building work and code questions should be confirmed with Auckland Council or a Licensed Building Practitioner. We will flag when your project looks likely to need it so you can check before committing.

Our workmanship guarantee is a full-satisfaction commitment, and because design, manufacturing and installation are all under one roof, there is one team accountable for putting it right. Raise it with your project manager and we will sort it. See our guarantee page.