Frequently Asked Questions

Leading the way in all aspects of joinery, Think Kitchens is committed to bringing its customers the very latest in custom design using the most versatile 3D software available to show you your brand new kitchen before it is even built.

Think Kitchens will explain clearly the maze of products that are currently trending in the industry and advise you on the correct choice for your new kitchen. They install kitchens from north Brisbane to Ballina, NSW and as far west as Ipswich.

Think Kitchens only use master craftsmen for all projects and strive to give the absolute best service we can deliver. Both directors David and Simon are lifetime cabinet makers and really do care about what they build.

They are both hands on and work closely with our other tradies to guarantee that your new kitchen is hassle free and exactly what you were expecting.

Explaining costs in a kitchen

The price of a kitchen is made up from various components such as Cabinets, Bench Tops, Appliances and Sub Trades. Cabinets and bench tops prices will depend on the size of the kitchen and the type of finishes also the hardware systems such as drawers, lighting and pull out pantry’s etc.

One thing to consider most cabinet makers quote from the amount of boxes rather than by lineal metres so by having larger boxes it will reduce the price also drawer boxes are more expensive than plain door boxes. With the appliances there is brands and type of appliances to consider such as Miele to Blanco and ceramic cooktops to induction cooktops.

There are many variables I would always suggest to draw up your budget with all your breakdown costs before purchasing anything. The other thing that will add to the price of your kitchen are the Sub Trades such as Plumbers, electrical, tiling, plaster and painters these will be all different from job to job. It will always be better to get the cabinet maker to coordinate all the trades and then the customer to pay sub trades directly otherwise the cabinet maker will allow for the unforeseen.

At Think kitchens we will always give the client the choice between the two and advise you on estimated costs of your sub-trades. When talking about a small unit style kitchen with basic finishes I would expect the total price to run between $9,000.00 to $11,000.00.

When talking about high-end homes the sky's the limit although most will run from $50,000.00 to $100,000.00. If you’re looking at a Standard suburban home with a nice kitchen fitout I would expect to run around $20,000.00 to $25,000.00. Now these prices are for guidances only as there are so many variables it’s impossible to get accurate figures unless quoting from a plan.

Explaining soft close drawers systems

As most people these days have now heard of softclose drawers and the name BLUM but most people do not understand what type of softclose drawers that are available even in the BLUM brand(e.g. BLUMOTION).

There are 2 main types of soft close systems the cheapest one and most commonly used these days are metabox which is just a standard single wall metal side drawer nylon wheel runner with a plastic softclose system screwed to the underside of the drawer these do not fully extend.

The other is tandambox that are a ball bearing slider with double wall metal sides with the soft close system integrated into the bearing slider these do fully extend. There are brands in both types such as GRASS, HARN, TITUS and SMOOTH among others. Some of these are good systems, some not so good. Most will come with some sort of warranty.

Explaining Melamine doors

Melamine has come a long way in the last 30 years with several new factors such as substrate and edging and so on. The substrate on most melamine’s is now water resistant such as H.M.R (high moisture resistant) and M.R (moisture resistant).

Now HMR is with particle board (chipboard) and MR is with MDF(medium density fibre) also known as Craftwood. The reason for the two types of board is for the quality of the finish to the face with MDF being smoother it can be used with new finishes such as gloss or matt finishes thus give more flexibility.

Finishes available these days are vast including high gloss, gloss, sheen, matt, texture, ash grain, ravine, nuance and many more. With many  brands to choose from such as LAMINEX, POLYTEC, WILSONART, FORMICA just to name a few. The edging has also come a long way from the chipped corners on the doors most people have come to know, as the PVC and ABS 1mm and 2mm have come into play.

The differences between the two are that ABS is colour fast and the PVC will change colour in time. The thicker edging has eliminated the damages to the corners of doors and drawers and given the panels a softer look and feel. 1mm is widely used in residencies and 2mm in commercial applications.

Explaining stone bench tops

In the past 10 years stone has fast become the standard for new kitchen bench tops, with the arrival of engineered stone such as Caesarstone and Quantum quartz, stone prices have dropped dramatically.

Stone tops are far more durable than laminate bench tops and not much more expensive which has led to more new kitchen using stone than any other product. There is only few down falls using stone to other products such as turnaround time on installation and easily to break glasses and plates on such a hard surface.

All stone whether engendered or natural of all brands have different grading to price, low range to high range. When using natural stone it is recommended to select your slabs personally from the supplier and also recommended to seal the natural granite or marble. Natural products tend to discolour and not resist stains.

Stone is available in different thicknesses most common is the 20mm all 40mm tops are 2 pieces of 20mm joined together and then polished. There is also 12mm and 30mm in some colours. Stone is also great for feature splash backs and bar panels. One anther thing to consider is that engineered stone can be mitre cut and will be stronger on large over hangs.

Explaining two pac doors (polyurethane doors) (2pac)

2pac doors have been around for many years and regarded as a high end finish. 2pac gets its name from the paint its self as the paint comes in 2 parts 1x paint 1x hardener.

The paint dries over a couple of hours letting the paint flow to a flat finish. Some of the advantages of 2pac is that you can rout patterns in the panels and edges also there is no limits to colours as any colour can be easily matched to suit.

Common finishes are full gloss100%, semi-gloss 60% and satin 30% there are also not so common finishes such as stipple and metallic.

Explaining your new kitchen program
  • First consultation  (meeting at your residence measuring and talking about your needs and wants)
  • Second consultation (meeting at our office to show the 1st 3D model discussing price and finishes)
  • Check measure (meeting at your residence finalizing plans and explaining the process in detail)
  • Organizing installation (Phone call confirming installation date)
  • Installation (removing your existing kitchen and installing the new kitchen templating for bench tops.
  • Bench top installation ( approximately 4 days after kitchen installation plumbing and electrical on same day)
  • Splash backs and paint if applicable.
Explaining DIY disasters

It is a common belief that DIY will be less expensive when regarding kitchens. I find in our experience that it is normally a myth.

We have priced many kitchens up against the big DIY warehouses and have found that once they have charged there customers for things that we regard to be included in our price such as measuring, delivery,  installation repairs ect that we are most likely to be less expensive as the big giants.

Also taking into account for warranty and B.S.A insurances to give you complete piece of mind for the next 7 Years, why would you risk not using a quality custom cabinet maker?

Explaining glass splashbacks

Glass splashbacks are a great way to finish of any modern kitchen with their seamless look and easiness of cleaning, the main down fall is the price as they are not one of the cheapest splashbacks on the market. I get asked why they are so expensive after all it is only glass. Well there are few reasons for this such as

  •  Toughening: Glass must be toughened so it can resist heat behind cooktops.
  •  Hole drilling: Holes for power points and light switches are time consuming.
  •  Painting: The Use of high quality paints such as automotive paints also glass will need a clear primer.
  •  Templating: Once your bench tops are installed the glass must be templated to your exact wall size.
  •  Glass quality: Glass must be star fire or diamond grade otherwise a green tinge will appear in the paint.

Also if there are any errors with sizing the whole piece will be discarded and the process will start over from scratch. With the expense aside glass can be any custom colour that you choose. Although please take into account for slight shading from colour selected.

Explaining StyleLite doors and panels

Stylelite is a new player in the kitchen industry and has a great look that really goes well with the modern square design kitchens of our time. If you are looking for a high gloss sleek look maybe Stylelite is for you. Stylelite is made from a M.D.F MR substrate and is laminated both sides with 1mm colour acrylic.

On the face side it also has a laminated 1mm clear protected film. It is then cut as any melamine panel and edged in ABS 1mm to match. With the Stylelite giving a full gloss mirror finish it really comes into its own.

It is currently available in 16 solid colours and 6 wood grain finishes. Price wise it is on par with 2Pac panels and is regarded as a mid to high end finish.

Explaining Veneer doors and panels

Veneer panels come in a vast array of colours and patterns depending on the specie of timber and the cut of the veneer. To make the veneer the timber is sliced to around 1mm thickness then laid on the board in either book matched or random patterned sequence then pressed under extreme pressure using 2pac epoxy glues.

Some species of timber are kept in stock, although I would prefer to order our veneer custom to ensure there is only minimal colour differentiation. Once the veneer is cut and edged it is then fine sanded and coated with a high quality UV resistant spray lacquer in either full gloss or satin.

Traditionally wood grains would be used vertically although now it is highly fashionable to use in a horizontal position. The correct use of veneers as an accent colour in a Kitchen really can bring out a quality great finish. Veneer panelling is a little expensive and is considered a high end finish.

Before and After

Our concept 3D rendering of a kitchen

Our concept 3D rendering of a kitchen

The final kitchen itself

The final kitchen itself

before-after-01_webres