This document provides information on measuring and identifying existing cabinets, different types of cabinets, cabinet components, and considerations for upgrading cabinets and other aspects of a kitchen remodel. Key points include identifying cabinet box construction, measuring cabinet sizes, noting special cabinetry, and gathering information to ensure an accurate replacement estimate. Upgrade options like new countertops, lighting, and appliances are discussed along with coordinating work with tradespeople.

1. Cabinet Training Class

2. Measuring and Identifying Cabinets
• Determine whether cabinets are boxes or
built-ins (stick built)
• Cabinets are made in widths that increase
in increments of 3", usually starting at 9"
and going up to 48"
• Measure from the outside edge of each
style (face frame) to determine box size
• Height of lower cabinets can vary but are
usually 34 1/2" tall
• Upper cabinets are most commonly 12"
deep and 30" tall. Newer kitchens are more
likely to have 36" or 42" uppers

3. Measuring and Identifying Cabinets
• Look for furniture grade sides, arched
door panels, and custom sizes.
• Determine material of cabinet boxes-
particle board, plywood or solid wood
• List lf. of fillers, crown, furniture base,
shoe, toe kick, corner trim, cove
molding and valances
• Get pictures of all cabinetry from
multiple angles (this is very important)

4. Measuring and Identifying Cabinets
• Make note of any special or
unconventional cabinetry or install
methods.
• Corner sink base cabinets require the
cabinet to be built completely on site
(more labor and materials)
• Upper cabinets used as base cabinets
will need a 2 x 4 base built and end
panels
• Pantry cabinets- shelving is not
included, these are an additional cost

5. Stick Built and Built-in Cabinets
• These are built on site and are not
separate boxes
• Usually are not able to be removed
without damaging them
• These are typically found in older
homes and trailers
• Custom made built-ins can be found
in high end homes

6. Utilize a Professional Kitchen Designer
• Always have the designer provide you with
an exact diagram and detailed component
list to reflect like kind and quality of existing
kitchen
• Make sure they include all cabinet details
• Use their price to check our estimate to see
if we are capturing all the costs involved
• Make note of the footprint if existing floor is
staying. Toe kick depth is not standardized
(may need additional materials for build out
like plywood and end panels)

7. Identify the Grade of Cabinets as Defined by
Xactimate
• Standard grade- Particleboard box construction with simulated wood
grain or white veneer and flush doors. Simulated wood grain veneer
or equivalent toe kicks. Hardware consists of semi-concealed hinges
and side mount drawer hardware.
• High grade- Particleboard box construction with simulated wood grain
veneer or white melamine on interior. Square raised panel doors,
drawer fronts and face frames of hardwood construction. Wood ply
toe kicks. Hardware consists of concealed hinges and side mount
drawer hardware.

8. Identify the Grade of Cabinets as Defined by
Xactimate
• Premium grade- High end raised panel door design with furniture-
grade veneered end panels and drawer bottoms, white melamine
interiors, dove-tailed maple or solid red oak drawer assemblies, wood
ply or solid wood toe kicks, concealed hinges and slide out lower
cabinet shelves.
• Deluxe grade- Deluxe grade cabinets, may have unique or custom
features, concealed hinges and high grade sliders etc., and wood ply
or solid wood toe kicks. Wood is of material like oak, maple, cherry,
walnut, hickory or equal.

9. Items to Look For
• Glass door cabinets
• Dove tailed drawers
• Double sided cabinets
• Height of upper cabinets
• Roll out trays
• Raised end panels
• Full over lay doors
• Plumbing, electrical in soffits
• Soft Closers
• Real wood veneer end panels
• Upper cabinets converted into lowers
• Non standard sized cabinets
• Under cabinet lighting
• Built in oven cabinets
• Thermofoil wrapped doors

10. Possible Cabinet Components
• Dove tailed drawers
• Soft closers
• Roll out trays
• Crown molding
• Furniture base
• Outside corner molding
• Corbel
• Light rails (lower trim)
• Lazy Susan
• Pulls and Knobs
• Shoe molding
• Scribe molding
• Soffit and Valances
• Raised end panels
• Screen molding
• Fold out trays
• Glass doors
• Lazy Daisy

11. Glass Door Cabinets
• Interior of cabinet is finished to
match the exterior
• Style of glass will effect the price
• Glass will usually need to be
installed on site

12. Double Sided Cabinets
• Usually used on a peninsula
• Double sided cabinets are double the
price of a one sided cabinet

13. Oven Cabinets
• Cabinets are made with undersized
openings so they can be cut on site to
fit multiple size ovens
• A platform needs to built in the bottom
of the cabinet for the oven to sit on
• Additional labor and materials are
needed

14. Farm Sinks
• These are sinks that have a front face
or apron
• These are very heavy and require 2x4
supports to be installed inside the sink
base cabinet
• The cabinet front must be cut for the
sink
• Some sinks come with templates but
handmade sinks do not. This is
because each sink may vary in shape
and size. A template will have to be
made on site by the installer

15. Cabinet Upgrades
Making changes to existing layout, upgrading appliances and cabinetry

18. Meet With All of Your Trades On Site
Plumbers, Electricians and Mechanical Contractors
Before any drywall repairs are done, rough mechanicals should be done

19. Plumbing
• Have your plumber make you aware of
any updates that may need to be
made
• Provide them with a kitchen layout
• Supply them with the specs of any new
appliances
• Some ice makers may require
installation of a floor drain

20. Electrical
• Have your electrician make you aware
of any needed code upgrades. These
may be needed even if the kitchen
layout is staying the same
• Make sure they are provided with a
cabinet layout
• Let them know about under cabinet
lighting

21. Mechanical
Components
• Provide them with a cabinet layout
• Make sure they are given the specs for
any new appliances that will be used
• Have them inform you of any code
upgrades that are needed

22. • Have the customer pick out hood fan prior to
kitchen install
• Many newer fans require and 8" or larger duct
for venting
• Many existing ducts are between 4" and 6"
• Make up air may be needed
• Make sure your mechanical contractor looks at
this to make sure these changes can be made
and to let you know the additonal costs
Hood Fans

23. Soffit Removal
• Soffits are an outdated look that
most people will want removed when
remodeling their kitchen
• May contain hidden plumbing,
electrical and mechanical that will
need to be moved
• Drywall will need to be tied in and
possibly some blocking

24. Ikea Style Cabinets
• Try to keep customers from going
with these
• Labor cost is more than double of
standard cabinets
• Picking up materials alone is costly
• Some of these have open bottoms
and will require the flooring to be
installed prior to the cabinets

25. Bathroom Vanities
• Assist homeowners with vanity
selection
• Plumbing location needs to be
considered
• Furniture style vanities are not a
good option when going from wall to
wall

26. Rebuilding Cabinets/Cabinet Repair
Xactimate Line Items
• CAB LAB- 8 hrs for 1 cabinet and 3 to 4 hrs per
additional cabinet
• 32 sq. ft. of CAB PLY per cabinet
• PNT LOWS based on the footage of cabinet being
rebuilt
• CAB LOW detach and reset based on length of
cabinet affected
• CAB PLYTK based on length of cabinet
• FRM LAB- 1 hr each way for pick up and delivery
• CPS TRCV 1 each way for pick up and delivery

27. New Laminate Tops
• Adding beveled edges to tops is an
upgrade. The materials cost more
and they are more labor intensive
• Make homeowner aware of laminate
pricing. Premium grade laminates
cost more and may only be available
in limited sizes causing more waste
• Wood edging will require staining
and finishing

28. Granite Countertops and Installation
• Adhesive- for countertop and lf. of
backsplash
• Caulking for backsplash
• Cut out for sink
• Holes for faucet
• Buff & Polish
• Edge treatment