1. Quality of design and visualization
Knowing you need more space is one thing. Finding it is another. Realizing you could have created a more efficient layout after the fact can be disappointing. It can sometimes be difficult to visualize what your final project will look like. Look for companies with 3-D design software so you can fully visualize your project and make all necessary changes before you order. Seeing how your clothes, shoes and other accessories fit in your new closet environment will help you make better design decisions and avoid bad surprises.
2. Style and color selection
Good closet companies offer a wide selection of colors, including a variety of wood-grain and textured finishes. Prices vary depending on the finish, but make sure you have options. Smaller closet companies may only have access to a few melamine finishes without the specific color you want.
You may also want to design your closet with accents, for example the main frame of the closet in white and the drawer fronts in a wood grain. If that’s the case, make sure the company can do that for you. Style will also be affected by the finish of the drawer fronts and doors: flat, beveled, shaker, raised panel, make sure you have enough of a selection to pick a style you like.
3. Other storage or organization needs: garage, laundry room, pantry
While considering a closet company, think about other work you may want done around the house, particularly if you’re just moving in or in the middle of a renovation: do you have cabinets in your laundry room? Is your pantry organized? Do you need to set up your garage for specific storage needs? Good closet companies usually have a complete offer which will save you the headache of looking for new vendors for each of your needs while helping lower your price.
4. Quality of materials / lifetime warranty
Most closet companies work with panels of particle board covered with melamine and with MDF panels for doors and drawers. However, there are different manufacturing processes and levels of quality. Look for companies that use a thermal fusion process to avoid the peel-off of lower-quality panels. Most importantly, check that the company you choose offers a lifetime warranty on all your wood products. And don’t forget to ask about the quality of the hardware. Good companies will use top-rated European hardware exclusively, including soft-closing and full-extension drawer slides, door hinges at a 105° angle and other top-rated features.
5. Workmanship and Insurance
While many of the items installed are standard, significant workmanship goes into the finishing of your closets: making sure the structure is solid and level, properly aligning drawers so they slide well, making wood cuts to retrofit custom spaces and connecting walls. This work requires experienced qualified workmanship, so make sure to ask companies about their experience and their personnel. Always make sure that the workers are protected in your home by requesting proof of liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1 million.
6. Lead time
Some of the largest closet companies can have a lead time of as much as 6-8 weeks. Depending on your needs, you may want a faster turnaround, so look to companies like Creaction Organize which offers the same quality product with a lead time of only about 3 weeks.
7. Price
Of course, price is a major factor when choosing your closet company. Luxury local companies and established national brands will often come at a premium, while companies with low overhead, like Creaction Organize, will offer the same quality materials at a savings of 15% to 20% compared to the leading national brands.
If you call us for an estimate, don’t forget to ask us how you can save more by combining projects.