Top-12 Questions to Ask Your Custom Closet Company

By Closet Factory Richmond

Just like buying a car, when it comes to purchasing a custom closet, there are standard features and there are upgrades. When choosing a custom closet company, there are several factors to take into consideration besides price. Since a custom closet system is an investment in your home, it’s important to choose a company that is going to design a closet to fit your needs and one that will offer you a variety of design options to fit your décor. It’s also important to choose a company known as the experts in their industry and that also has a reputation for delivering what they promise.

Custom closet companies generally offer a free design consultation where a closet designer will visit your home. The designer will take inventory of your clothing and shoes and collaborate with you to design a closet around your storage needs and the space you have. Some companies will do a free design for your closet and give you an estimate on the cost. Others will just give you an approximate quote or a rough design.

If your closet design is large and complex, the designer may schedule another meeting with you to show you the final design. It’s best to have all the decision-makers in that meeting, so everyone can decide whether to purchase the closet. Depending on the complexity of the design, from the time you order the closet, it generally takes several weeks for the company to make the sections and schedule an installation.

Here’s a checklist of questions to ask when considering a custom closet company:

1. Do you use furniture grade particleboard or industrial grade? Industrial grade is thicker, holds screws better and is a higher quality.
2. Are your closets wall hung or floor-based? Floor based gives you more style options, so if you want a more elaborate design it may be a better fit since it supports deeper sections and different types of base treatments such as mouldings or continuous base.
3. How deep are your shelves? It’s good to have the option of deep shelves like 14” or 16” for bulky clothing like sweaters and sweatshirts.
4. How are your drawers constructed? Do you use full extension glides? Full extension glides give drawers the best support.
5. What finishes do you offer? What colors do you have for melamine (laminate) material? Is the melamine cold processed or thermal-fused? Thermal-fused melamine is preferable because it wears better.
6. Do you use metal or plastic hardware? Metal is better because it is more durable and longer lasting. How is the hardware fastened? Can I provide my own? Some companies allow you to provide your own hardware and will install it at no charge.
7. What kind of clothing rods do you offer? Oval or round shaped metal rods are preferable over wooden ones since hangers glide easier on them and wood can scratch.
8. What accessories do you have and what do they cost? Accessories like valet rods, belt and tie racks, jewelry trays and laundry baskets are an extra charge.
9. What kind of embellishments do you offer and how much are these upgrades? Depending on the look of your closet system, you may want various add-ons like moulding, trim, glass doors or decorative elements.
10. Do you have a factory onsite or do you get parts from a distribution center? Some companies buy shelves, panels and drawers already cut while other companies manufacture the pieces at their local factory.
11. What does your installation include? What do I need to do to prepare? If something needs to be replaced during installation can you make another piece immediately or do you have to wait for the piece while the company orders it?
12. What kind of warranty do you offer and for how long? Does it only apply to me or will it cover the future owners if I sell my home?

If you have a question that you don’t see here, let us know and we’ll add it to the list!