To request a useful custom cabinet quote, provide at least the project location, project type and current stage, the rooms and cabinetry included, photographs or drawings, approximate dimensions, your main requirements and the target schedule.

You do not need a professional field measure, final cabinet design, complete material selections or production drawings before the first inquiry.

The simplest way to think about it is:

You do not need to make every decision before contacting a cabinet maker. You only need enough information to explain the project location, the cabinetry scope, the drawings or measurements you already have, and your expected schedule.

The more complete the information, the more useful the initial Project Quotation can be. When essential details are missing, the quotation must rely on more assumptions and may require additional follow-up.

Preparing this information is not asking a homeowner to do a cabinet designer’s job. It gives the cabinetry company enough context to understand the project and make the first review productive.

Three Levels of Information for a First Cabinet Quote

Information level	What it includes	Why it matters
Required to begin	Project location, type and stage; cabinetry scope; photos, drawings or approximate dimensions; basic requirements; anticipated timing	Allows the cabinet maker to identify the project and begin a preliminary review
Helpful when available	Material and style direction, appliance information, budget range, requested inclusions and special requirements	Reduces assumptions and makes the preliminary pricing more relevant
Not required for the first inquiry	Professional field measurement, final design, complete material and hardware selections, every appliance model, fabrication dimensions and production drawings	These details can be completed during the design and technical stages after the project is confirmed

You should not delay an initial inquiry because the final drawings are incomplete. At the same time, one inspiration photo and the sentence “I need a new kitchen” are not enough to support a meaningful quotation.

1. Project Location

Provide the project city or full address.

Location helps the cabinetry company understand:

• whether the project is within its service area;
• site-measurement, delivery and installation logistics;
• whether the property is a detached home, condominium, high-rise residence or another building type;
• possible access, parking, elevator, strata or permitted-work-hour restrictions.

The city is usually sufficient for a first inquiry. A complete address and site contact can be supplied when an on-site visit needs to be arranged.

2. Project Type and Current Stage

Identify whether the work is for:

• a new custom home;
• a home renovation;
• a partial renovation or single cabinetry addition;
• a professional project managed by an interior designer, builder or developer.

Then describe the current stage. For example:

• early budgeting;
• architectural or interior design drawings available;
• new-build construction underway;
• renovation demolition not started, approaching or complete;
• cabinetry companies currently being compared;
• a target installation date already established.

The same cabinetry scope can require a different next step depending on the project stage. Stating the current status prevents preliminary pricing, field measurement and manufacturing schedules from being treated as the same milestone.

3. Rooms and Cabinetry Included

Avoid describing the project only as “some cabinets” or “a kitchen quote.” List the complete scope as clearly as possible. It may include:

• kitchen cabinetry and an island;
• a pantry or secondary kitchen;
• bathroom vanities;
• walk-in closets or other wardrobes;
• entry cabinetry, mudroom storage or laundry cabinetry;
• media walls, bookcases, wine storage or other built-ins;
• wall panelling and other architectural millwork.

For a whole-home project, organize the list by floor or room. Different spaces may require different construction, hardware, installation conditions and functions even when the same finish is used throughout.

Also state which services you expect the quotation to cover, such as design, manufacturing, delivery and installation. If countertops or related work need to be coordinated, mention that at the beginning as well.

4. Drawings, Photographs and Approximate Dimensions

You do not need every type of document, but provide at least one clear source that helps the cabinet maker understand the space.

If Drawings Are Available

Send the relevant:

• architectural floor plans;
• interior design plans and elevations;
• millwork or cabinetry drawings;
• construction drawings from the builder;
• hand sketches that identify the cabinetry areas.

If the drawing package is extensive, identify the rooms and pages that require pricing. Do not expect the cabinetry company to guess which parts of a large construction set are included.

If You Do Not Have Drawings Yet

Send:

• one wide photograph of each relevant wall;
• photographs of windows, doors, columns, sloped ceilings or other unusual conditions;
• approximate room width, length and height;
• approximate dimensions of the main wall sections and openings;
• a simple hand-drawn layout, if possible.

Client-supplied measurements do not need to be fabrication-ready, but they should be clear and include the unit of measurement. Do not guess an unknown dimension simply to complete the page. Mark it as “to be field verified.”

After the client selects Urban Vista and pays the deposit, we arrange a professional site measure. Dimensions submitted with the first inquiry support project review and preliminary pricing; they do not replace verified production dimensions.

5. Functional Requirements and Problems to Solve

Custom cabinetry pricing depends on more than the length of the walls. It also depends on what the cabinetry must do.

Describe:

• the main problems with the existing space;
• whether the current layout should remain or change;
• storage priorities and everyday use;
• tall cabinetry, islands, hidden appliances or panel-ready appliances;
• waste sorting, pull-outs, lift systems, integrated lighting or specialty hardware;
• accessibility, children’s use, aging-in-place or other ergonomic requirements.

Label non-negotiable features as must-haves. Inspiration images can communicate an aesthetic or functional direction, but they do not replace a description of the required scope.

6. Style, Materials and Hardware Direction

You do not need to finish every selection before the first inquiry. However, every quotation must be based on some assumptions about materials and construction.

If you already have preferences, describe:

• flat-panel, Shaker, inset or another door style;
• painted, wood-grain, wood veneer, laminate or another surface direction;
• plywood-box or other cabinet-construction requirements;
• hardware brands, internal accessories or specialty mechanisms;
• relationships to flooring, countertops, wall panelling and other finishes.

If these selections are undecided, say so. The cabinetry company can use a reasonable base specification for preliminary pricing and identify the main assumptions in the Project Quotation.

Materials, finishing processes, cabinet construction and functional hardware can materially affect price. Identifying required premium or specialty items early makes the first quotation more relevant.

7. Appliances and Cabinet-Integrated Equipment

If the cabinetry must be designed around appliances or equipment, provide confirmed information for items such as:

• refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers;
• cooktops, ranges and wall ovens;
• dishwashers;
• microwaves, steam ovens and built-in coffee machines;
• washers, dryers or other equipment enclosed by cabinetry;
• panel-ready appliances and their specification sheets.

If the exact model has not been selected, provide the anticipated appliance type and size. Final models and specifications still need to be confirmed before detailed design and production.

Appliance information helps identify cabinet quantities, openings, appliance panels, hardware, ventilation and installation interfaces. Missing appliance specifications do not prevent a first inquiry, but they can limit the precision of preliminary pricing.

8. Project Schedule

State:

• when demolition or construction is expected to begin;
• when the cabinetry should be installed;
• any move-in, handover or other fixed date;
• whether the project is waiting for architectural drawings, interior design drawings, permits or other construction conditions;
• whether the general contractor has been selected.

“As soon as possible” is not a date that can be used to plan a project. If the schedule is still developing, provide a useful range such as “demolition planned for the fall” or “targeting completion before year-end.”

Schedule information does not remove the time required for measurement, design, approval and manufacturing. It helps both parties assess whether the current target is realistic.

9. Budget Range: Helpful, but Not Required for the First Inquiry

You are not required to provide an exact budget during the first inquiry. Urban Vista can prepare a preliminary Project Quotation from the available project information.

If you have a comfortable budget range, sharing it can help establish:

• whether the intended scope and budget are broadly aligned;
• which material and functional directions are realistic;
• whether the project should be completed in phases;
• which elements are essential and which remain flexible.

A budget is not an instruction telling the supplier what to charge. It is context for assessing whether the design objectives, scope and project expectations are compatible. If you do not yet have a budget, say that you would like to understand a realistic price based on the current requirements.

Different Clients Can Submit Different Levels of Detail

For a Homeowner Without Professional Drawings

A useful starting package usually includes:

1. project city and property type;
2. new build, renovation or partial addition;
3. list of rooms requiring custom cabinetry;
4. site photographs and approximate dimensions;
5. main functional requirements and inspiration images;
6. approximate construction or installation timing.

For an Interior Designer, Builder or Developer With Project Documents

Provide the relevant:

• floor plans and cabinetry elevations;
• millwork scope or cabinet schedule;
• material, door and hardware specifications;
• appliance schedule and specification sheets;
• current design and construction stage;
• exact scope expected from Urban Vista;
• quotation deadline and target installation date.

Having more documents does not mean sending an unlabelled drawing package. Identify the pricing areas, drawing revision and any information that is still pending.

What Happens After Urban Vista Receives the Information?

Urban Vista first reviews the information supplied to understand the project scope. If an important detail is missing and affects pricing, we contact the client for clarification.

We then prepare a Project Quotation based on the information available at that time. Before a formal site measure and detailed design are completed, the quotation relies on the dimensions, drawings, photographs, material direction and project requirements provided by the client.

If the client completes the comparison process and selects Urban Vista, paying the deposit starts the professional site-measurement and detailed-design stage. The Project Quotation may be revised if the verified site conditions, dimensions, materials, design or final Scope of Work change.

The important distinction is:

A preliminary Project Quotation is a formal price proposal based on the current information. It does not mean unverified dimensions, unfinished designs and unconfirmed scope can never change.

Quick Checklist Before Requesting a Custom Cabinet Quote

Before submitting the inquiry, check whether you have included:

• project city or address;
• new build, renovation or partial addition;
• current design or construction stage;
• rooms and cabinetry included;
• drawings, site photographs or approximate dimensions;
• main functional requirements and must-have features;
• style, material and hardware direction, if known;
• appliance models or anticipated sizes, when relevant;
• services expected in the quotation;
• anticipated construction, demolition or installation timing;
• budget range, if you choose to provide it;
• information that is still pending.

This checklist is not a barrier to contacting us. If some decisions remain open, submit the information you have and clearly identify what still needs to be confirmed.

Request a Custom Cabinet Project Quotation From Urban Vista

Urban Vista Cabinets Inc. works with homeowners, interior designers, builders and developers on custom kitchens, whole-home cabinetry, bathroom vanities, walk-in closets, built-ins and architectural millwork across Greater Vancouver.

If you know your project will require custom cabinetry, submit the information currently available. We can identify what is sufficient for a preliminary Project Quotation and which details still need clarification.

For homeowners:
Submit a Private Residential Custom Cabinetry Inquiry

For interior designers, builders, developers and other trade professionals:
Submit Drawings and Project Information Through Professionals & Trade

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a custom cabinet quote without professional drawings?

Yes. Site photographs, approximate dimensions, a hand sketch, a list of rooms and the main project requirements can usually support an initial review. Professional field measurement and detailed design can follow after the client selects Urban Vista and pays the deposit.

Do I need exact measurements for the first quote?

No. The measurements should be clear, reasonably useful and include the unit, but they do not need to be fabrication-ready. Mark uncertain dimensions as “to be field verified” rather than guessing. Urban Vista arranges a professional site measure after the project is formally confirmed.

Can I get a quote by sending only inspiration photos?

Inspiration images can show style and functional direction, but they do not define the project scope. Also provide the project location, rooms included, site photographs or drawings, approximate dimensions and anticipated timing.

Do I have to provide a budget for the first inquiry?

No. Urban Vista can prepare preliminary pricing from the available project information. A voluntary budget range can help determine whether the scope, materials and functional expectations are broadly aligned.

What is the difference between a preliminary Project Quotation and the final price?

A Project Quotation is prepared from the scope and information confirmed when it is issued. If the later field measure, design, materials or Scope of Work change, the quotation may be revised. The final price is established after all details that affect pricing are confirmed.

Does Urban Vista measure the site before providing the first quote?

The initial quotation is normally prepared from the drawings, photographs, dimensions and requirements provided by the client. After the client selects Urban Vista and pays the deposit, we arrange the professional field measure and detailed design.

Do new builds and renovations require the same quote information?

The core information is similar, but the project stages differ. A new build will usually include architectural or interior design drawings and the current construction stage. A renovation inquiry may include existing-condition photographs, approximate dimensions, intended changes and the demolition schedule.

Can I request a quote before selecting every appliance?

Yes. Provide the anticipated appliance types and sizes. Final model numbers and specifications must be confirmed before detailed design and production, especially for panel-ready and built-in appliances.