Cabinetry installation is a hand-off point between many trades. Plasterers and painters need to be finished, plumbers and electricians are waiting to fit off, and tilers may need cabinets in place for splashbacks. When the sequence breaks down, crews arrive at sites that aren’t ready, or finished cabinets get damaged by trades working around them. Good coordination keeps everyone moving.
Before install: services rough-in
The cabinetry layout should be final before plumbing and electrical rough-in. Check:
- Sink, dishwasher and vanity waste positions against the cabinet drawings.
- Power points for appliances, including integrated and under-bench items.
- Lighting positions for overhead cabinets, rangehoods and feature lighting.
- Gas points for cooktops.
Getting these right means cabinets can be installed without cutting around misplaced services.
Plaster and paint
Cabinetry areas should be plastered and at least sealed before install. Many builders prefer final paint before cabinetry to avoid cutting in around cabinets later. Agree the approach with your supplier so expectations are clear.
Flooring
Decide whether cabinets go on the slab or on finished flooring, and make sure the program reflects that. If floor coverings go in after cabinets, confirm kickboard and panel heights allow for the finished floor level.
Install day readiness checklist
- Site clean, dry and secure.
- Clear access for deliveries and handling.
- Power available on site.
- No other trades working in cabinetry rooms.
- Latest approved drawings and variations on site.
- Appliance specifications confirmed, with any appliances delivered if needed for fit.
After install: benchtops and splashbacks
Benchtops
Stone tops typically need templating once cabinets are installed. Laminated benchtops can often go in with the cabinets. Book templating or install as soon as cabinets are in.
Splashbacks and tiling
Tilers need cabinets and benchtops installed and fixed. Agree who is responsible for protecting benchtops during tiling.
Fit-off
Plumbers and electricians fit off after benchtops. Ask them to take care with cabinet interiors and to report any damage immediately rather than at practical completion.
Protecting finished cabinetry
Cabinets are vulnerable once installed. Use protective coverings on benchtops and doors where other trades are still working, and keep tools and materials off finished surfaces. Damage found at handover is much harder to attribute and resolve.
Final adjustments
Once trades are finished, the cabinetry team should return to adjust doors and drawers, fit remaining panels and handles, and touch up minor marks. Schedule this visit before the practical completion inspection.
Clear communication lines
Make sure your supplier knows who the site supervisor is and how to reach them, and that the supervisor has a direct contact at the supplier. Quick answers prevent small questions from becoming delays. Because our design, manufacturing and installation teams are in-house, builders deal with one team throughout; see our builder processes.
Building trust across trades
Good install coordination is built on reliability. When cabinetry turns up on the scheduled day and is installed accurately, every trade after it benefits. Find out more about working with us on our For Builders page.
Frequently asked questions
Who protects cabinetry after installation?
Agree this on every job. Many builders make the following trades responsible for protecting finished cabinetry and benchtops in their work areas.
Should cabinetry go in before or after flooring?
Either can work. What matters is that the decision is made in the specification and the kickboard and panel heights allow for the finished floor level.
What if a trade damages installed cabinets?
Report it immediately with photos so it can be assessed and repaired before practical completion.
How far ahead should install dates be confirmed?
Confirm the date when the program is set, then reconfirm site readiness a few days before. If the site won’t be ready, tell your supplier as early as possible so the crew can be reallocated rather than making a wasted trip.
Who should be the point of contact on site?
The site supervisor should have a direct contact at the cabinetry supplier, and the supplier should know exactly who to call about access, readiness or problems. Clear contacts keep small questions from becoming delays.
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.