Cabinets breaking in under a year? 4 questions to ask before you sign for carpentry

Kitchen cabinets breaking in under a year. It is happening in Singapore homes right now.

This week, another homeowner shared their story: hinges coming off the doors, missing inner shelves, and panels that could not hold the weight of everyday use. They paid tens of thousands of dollars, and as they put it, that is money that is not easy to earn.

Carpentry is one of the biggest line items in most HDB and condo renovations, and it is the part you touch every single day. Before you sign, ask these four questions. A good contractor will answer them clearly and put the answers in writing.

1. What board or panel is being used, and what load can it take?

Ask for the board or panel material to be named on the quotation, not just "carpentry" with a length. Then ask what it is meant to carry. Kitchen cabinets hold pots, appliances and heavy groceries; wardrobes hold stacks of clothes; shelves hold books. If the answer is vague, ask how the shelves are supported and what happens if you load them fully.

2. What hinges and runners are being used, and which brand are they?

Hinges and drawer runners are the moving parts, and they are usually the first things to fail. Ask for the brand and type to be written into the quote, whether doors and drawers are soft-close, and how easy it is to get replacement parts later. "Standard hinges" is not an answer you can hold anyone to.

3. Is the warranty in writing, and what does it actually cover?

A warranty you cannot read is not a warranty. Ask for it in writing and check: how long it lasts, whether it covers workmanship, hardware, or both, what would void it, and how you make a claim. Compare it line by line across quotes, not just the headline number of years.

4. Can you see a finished project that is more than a year old?

New carpentry always looks good on handover day. Problems like loose hinges, sagging shelves or swollen panels show up after months of daily use. Ask to see or hear from a project that has been lived in for over a year. It tells you far more than a fresh photo.

The expensive cheap cabinet

A cheaper cabinet that fails in a year is the most expensive one you will buy. You pay once for the carpentry, then again for repairs, and you live with the inconvenience in between.

For more on reading a quote, see our guide to renovation quotation red flags. If the carpentry is for your kitchen, our HDB kitchen renovation guide covers layout and storage decisions. And if you are shortlisting firms, here is what CaseTrust renovation accreditation means.

About Blackwoods Interior

• Name: Blackwoods Interior (Blackwoods Interior Pte. Ltd.)

• UEN: 201909521M

• CaseTrust: accredited for Renovation Businesses, valid to 28 April 2028

• WhatsApp: 8754 3212 (Mon to Sat, 10am to 7pm SGT)

• Email: Hello@bwi.sg

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