Hiring a cabinet maker is a significant investment, so it pays to do your homework before signing anything. By reviewing their previous work, checking references, and understanding what quality looks like, you can feel confident you're choosing the right person for the job.
Ask to See a Portfolio
Any reputable cabinet maker should have a portfolio of completed projects — either in print, on their website, or via a social media page. When reviewing it, look for:
- A variety of project types (kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, wardrobes, built-ins)
- Consistent finish quality across different jobs
- Work that matches the style and complexity of what you're after
- Clear, well-lit photos that show joinery detail, not just wide-angle room shots
If a tradesperson can't show you any previous work, that's a red flag. Even someone newer to the trade should be able to show you training projects or work completed under supervision.
Visit a Completed Job in Person
Photos can be flattering. If possible, ask whether you can visit a completed project in person — with the previous client's permission, of course. This lets you:
- Run your hands along the surfaces to check for smoothness and consistency
- Open and close doors and drawers to test alignment and hardware operation
- Look at inside edges, corners, and less visible areas where shortcuts are sometimes taken
- Check that gaps between panels and walls are even and well-finished
A confident, experienced cabinet maker will usually be happy to arrange this. It's a normal part of the vetting process.
Request References and Actually Call Them
Ask for two or three references from recent clients — ideally from jobs similar to yours in scope and style. When you call, consider asking:
- Was the work completed on time and within budget?
- How did the tradesperson handle any issues or changes during the job?
- Are you happy with the quality of the finished cabinetry?
- Would you hire them again?
Don't just collect reference names — actually follow through and make the calls. A quick five-minute conversation can tell you a great deal.
Check Online Reviews and Listings
Search the cabinet maker's business name online and look for reviews on Google, Facebook, or trade listing sites like tradedirectory.co.nz. Look for patterns across multiple reviews rather than focusing on a single outlier. A business with consistently positive feedback over time is a good sign.
Be cautious of businesses with no online presence at all, or those with only a handful of very recent reviews.
Understand What Quality Cabinetry Looks Like
Knowing what to look for helps you assess a portfolio more critically. Key quality indicators include:
| Feature | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Door and drawer alignment | Even gaps, no sagging or binding |
| Finish quality | Smooth, consistent paint or veneer with no runs or blotches |
| Joinery | Tight, clean joins with no visible gaps or filler |
| Hardware | Soft-close hinges and drawer runners operating smoothly |
| Internal fit-out | Shelves level, edges banded or finished neatly |
| Wall and ceiling scribing | Panels fitted tightly to uneven surfaces without large gaps |
If you're unsure what to look for, BRANZ publishes guidance on building and finishing standards that can help you understand what good workmanship looks like.
Ask About Materials and Suppliers
A quality cabinet maker will be transparent about the materials they use. Ask whether they use moisture-resistant board in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms — this is important in New Zealand's variable climate. Ask about their preferred suppliers and whether they use locally sourced or NZ-stocked materials.
Well-known NZ trade suppliers like PlaceMakers and Mitre 10 stock a range of sheet materials and hardware, and a tradesperson familiar with these suppliers is likely working with readily available, quality-tested products.
Check Their Business Credentials
Cabinet making is not a licensed trade in the same way that electrical or plumbing work is, but that doesn't mean credentials don't matter. Look for:
- Membership of a trade association such as the Joinery Industry Training Organisation or similar industry body
- A registered business with a GST number (ask for a proper quote on letterhead)
- Evidence of public liability insurance — ask directly if they're covered
- Any relevant qualifications or apprenticeship completion certificates
For work that involves building consent — such as structural alterations to accommodate new cabinetry — you may need a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) involved. Always check with your local council if you're unsure whether consent is required.
When to Call a Professional
Cabinet making itself is not restricted trade work, so homeowners can technically install flat-pack cabinetry themselves. However, for custom-built or fitted cabinetry — especially in kitchens and bathrooms — it's strongly recommended to use a qualified cabinet maker or joiner. If your project involves electrical work (such as under-cabinet lighting or rangehood wiring), this must be carried out by a registered electrician under the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). Similarly, any plumbing connections must be done by a licensed plumber registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB).
You can find qualified, reviewed cabinet makers in your area right here on tradedirectory.co.nz.
