5 Questions to Ask Before Paying a Deposit on a Kitchen Set and Other Custom Interiors

The deposit is usually the point at which the design is locked and production is scheduled. After that, changing materials or hardware becomes much harder, and some vendors charge extra for it. That is why the best time to ask questions is before you pay, not after the cabinets are installed.

This guide draws on Metric’s 32 years of experience building kitchen sets, wardrobes, and cabinets for homes across Indonesia. Use this list to evaluate any vendor, including us.

In short: before paying a deposit on a kitchen set, get written answers to five questions: (1) the length and scope of the warranty, (2) the hardware brand and model, (3) the type of board and its resistance to termites and moisture, (4) where the kitchen set is produced and the production schedule, and (5) the after-sales service.

1. The length and scope of the warranty
2. The hardware brand and model
3. The type of board and its resistance to termites and moisture
4. Where the kitchen set is produced and the production schedule
5. The after-sales service

1. How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?

Short answer: kitchen set warranties on the market typically range from 1 to 3 years. The length alone is not enough. Make sure you know which components are covered, what is excluded, and how to file a claim.

A warranty is a vendor’s written promise about the durability of their work. The longer and clearer its terms, the more confidence the vendor has in the materials and workmanship they offer.

Questions to ask:

• How many years is the warranty, and does it start from the handover date or the production date?
• Which components are covered: the board, the finish, the hardware, or the installation?
• What types of damage are not covered?
• How do I file a claim, and how soon will the team arrive after I report a problem?
• Are the warranty terms written in the contract or in a warranty certificate?

The Metric standard: every Metric kitchen set is covered by a 3-year warranty, and our team will explain the terms in writing before you pay your deposit.

2. What brand of hardware is used?

Short answer: hardware such as hinges, drawer slides, and opening systems moves the most, so poor quality shows up there first. Ask for the specific brand and model, and make sure both are written into the quotation.

Have you ever opened a drawer that felt heavy, or heard a cabinet door slam shut? Almost every time, the hardware is the cause. It is small, but it is the part you touch dozens of times every day.

Questions to ask:

• What brand and model of hinges and drawer slides are used?
• Are they soft-close, and do the drawers extend fully?
• Are the brand and model written in the quotation or the bill of quantities (RAB)?
• Can I try them in person at a showroom?

The Metric standard: Metric uses European-made Blum, Hettich, and Häfele hardware as standard, not as an optional upgrade. You can try them yourself at any of our 11 showrooms.

3. Is the material resistant to termites and moisture?

Short answer: the kitchen is the most humid room in the house, especially around the sink. Ask what core board the cabinet body is made of, not just what the outer surface is, including its resistance to moisture and termites and how the panel edges are sealed.

The outer layer, such as HPL or lacquer, determines how the cabinet looks. But the board underneath determines how long it lasts. Panel edges that are not tightly sealed also let moisture in.

Questions to ask:

• What board is used for the cabinet body, particularly for the cabinet under the sink?
• Is the board moisture-resistant and termite-proof?
• How are the panel edges sealed?
• What maintenance is recommended to keep the cabinets in good condition?

The Metric standard: Metric uses termite-proof, moisture-resistant boards (UPVC and HMR) with European-quality HPL finishes. Panel edges are sealed using a specialized PUR hot-melt edgebanding machine that seals out moisture.

4. Where is it produced, and how long does the process take?

Short answer: ask who produces it, where, on what schedule, and how quality is checked before installation. A realistic, written schedule is worth more than a promise of speed.

Every kitchen set is made to the dimensions and design of your home, so a clear process matters as much as the final result.

Questions to ask:

• Is it produced in the vendor’s own factory or by a third party, and where is it located?
• How long do production and installation take, and what could cause delays?
• Is quality inspected before the items are delivered?
• Are the final working drawings approved in writing before production begins?

The Metric standard: Metric produces in two company-owned factories in Bekasi and Surabaya, using German-technology machinery and an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality system. Quality is checked at every stage. Production typically takes about 3 months; for a whole house (around 4 units), it can take up to 5 months, and installation takes about 1 week.

5. What services are available after installation?

Short answer: a warranty covers defects, while after-sales service covers needs beyond that, such as adjustments, additions, or modifications to your cabinets. Ask about the two separately.

A home’s needs change. Five years from now, you may want to add cabinets or reorganize the pantry. A vendor you can still reach at that point is as valuable as the cabinets themselves.

Questions to ask:

• Who do I contact if there is a problem, and through which channel?
• Is the after-sales team part of the vendor, or outsourced?
• Can the cabinets be extended or modified several years later?
• Which services are paid once the warranty period has ended?

The Metric standard: Metric has its own after-sales team for additions, modifications, and repairs, with a clear work schedule. Mr. Sucipto in Medan, for example, has entrusted his home’s interiors to Metric for 10 years.

Summary: Your Pre-Deposit Checklist

A good vendor will answer all five questions clearly and be willing to put the answers in writing. If any answer is still vague, hold off on paying the deposit until everything is clear.

Want to see for yourself how Metric answers these five questions? Visit one of our 11 showrooms or schedule a consultation with one of our Marketing Design Specialists. Bring this list, and try every drawer and hinge yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions