After handover, most builders have a maintenance period in which buyers can report minor defects. Cabinetry often features on these lists because it is used every day and moves with the house as it settles. Handling these items quickly and professionally protects your reputation and keeps costs down. Preventing them in the first place is even better.
Common cabinetry maintenance items
- Doors and drawers needing adjustment as the home settles.
- Soft-close mechanisms that need tuning.
- Silicone that has shrunk or cracked around benchtops, sinks and vanities.
- Minor movement in benchtop joins.
- Handles that have loosened with use.
- Marks or damage that may or may not have been present at handover.
Most of these are adjustment items rather than manufacturing faults, but buyers notice them all.
Why cabinetry needs adjustment after handover
New homes move slightly as materials dry out and the structure settles. Seasonal changes in temperature and humidity can also affect how doors and drawers sit. Hinges and runners are designed to be adjusted, so a small amount of post-handover adjustment is normal.
Prevention starts before handover
Quality install
Cabinets that are level, square and securely fixed at install are less likely to need significant attention later.
Final adjustment visit
A thorough adjustment visit after all trades have finished, and before practical completion, removes many items before the buyer moves in.
Clear handover documentation
Photograph the cabinetry at handover. Clear photos help resolve disputes about whether damage was pre-existing.
Buyer education
Care information in the handover pack helps buyers avoid damage and understand what normal adjustment looks like.
A clear reporting process
Make it easy for buyers to report issues and for you to pass them on:
- Ask for photos and a short description of each item.
- Group cabinetry items together rather than sending them one at a time.
- Send them to your supplier in a consistent format with the address, contact details and access arrangements.
- Agree target response times with your supplier.
Rectifying efficiently
Combining all cabinetry items for a home into a single visit saves time for everyone. Where parts are needed, such as a replacement door or drawer front, the supplier should confirm availability and lead time so you can keep the buyer informed.
Distinguishing defects from damage
Not every item is a defect. Impact damage, water damage from leaving surfaces wet, or heat marks on laminate may be outside warranty. Clear handover photos and care information make these conversations easier and more professional.
Warranty terms
Builders and suppliers should be clear on what each party is responsible for. Character Cabinets’ warranty terms are published on our warranty page. Make sure your site and customer service teams know where to find them.
Learning from maintenance data
Track cabinetry maintenance items by type and by home design. If the same issue keeps appearing, raise it with your supplier. It may point to a design detail, hardware choice or site condition that can be changed for future homes.
One team, one point of accountability
When the same business designs, manufactures and installs your cabinetry, the team attending maintenance items knows the job and the product. That makes rectification faster and more consistent. See how we work with builders on our For Builders page and our builder processes.
Frequently asked questions
Is door adjustment after handover a defect?
Some adjustment is normal as a new home settles. Hinges and runners are designed to be adjusted, and it is usually a quick fix.
How can we reduce cabinetry maintenance items?
Accurate installation, a thorough final adjustment visit, handover photos and clear care information all help.
Should cabinetry items be sent one at a time?
Grouping all cabinetry items for a home into one list allows a single, efficient visit.
What should buyers be told at handover?
Explain that some door and drawer adjustment is normal as a home settles, provide care information for each finish and benchtop, and tell them how to report items. Clear expectations make maintenance-period conversations easier.
Talk to Character Cabinets
If you are planning upcoming builds and want a cabinetry partner that designs, manufactures and installs in-house, talk to our team. Call 08 9234 3000 or contact us to discuss your next project or request a quote.