By now, your cabinets should be successfully installed according to your design plan.

You’re probably wondering, “What next?”

At Deslaurier, we believe our clients deserve to be informed about the steps and protocols involved in post-installation. From your Inspection Report to completion of Service Work. (All service work required for original design completion is included with zero additional processing fees!)

With so many moving parts, In this article, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of post-installation procedures, ensuring that our clients are never left wondering what happens next.

Post-Installation

Once the installation coordinator has finalized the installation, the post-installation process can begin. While we make every effort to complete the project on the initial install, often there are final adjustments and touch ups needed to make it just right.

The first step in making these final adjustments, is to schedule an appointment with one of our Inspectors. Inspection dates will have been sent approximately 1 week before delivery and installation. 

If you are in the middle of a renovation with a firm deadline, don’t worry! Other contractors will still be able to work on your home between finalized installation and your scheduled inspection. 

Take some time to review the installation of your cabinets and if you notice anything that you want to discuss with the Inspector, attach a piece of coloured painters tape or a sticky note to mark the area. You can make a list of these items and go through them with your inspector during your appointment.

Inspection

Your inspection will take place roughly 3-5 days after scheduling your appointment. 

The inspector will have all necessary information to ensure that the installation is in agreement with your design.

The Inspector will thoroughly review every cabinet and catalogue any issues or missing items that need to be addressed. 

During this appointment, feel free to discuss any concerns that you have marked with tape or a sticky note. The Inspector will add any items requiring attention to their Inspection Report.

Inspection Report

Following the inspection, the assessment is documented in an Inspection Report.

An inspection report details any and all service work that is still required to be completed by Deslaurier. 

This report will issue a detailed description and reason for each specific service task that is required. It will also provide a rough estimate for how long each item will take to be completed once our service specialists are on-site. 

Clients will be sent an electronic copy of this Inspection Report. Once received, assess this report to confirm all service work required is listed. If anything is missing, contact the CSR who sent you the copy of your inspection report.

Service Work 

While all of the outstanding service work is important, it is helpful to divide it into two separate categories: High Priority Items and Regular Service Items.

High Priority Items 

High Priority Items are things that will prevent substantial completion of your home. 

This is classified as anything that will inhibit another contractor or trade (a plumber or electrician, for example) from completing their job.

These items will be addressed in roughly 5-10 business days from the day of inspection. Only stocked materials that can be produced internally, such as coverboards, panels, buildup for countertops or cabinets are available to meet the 5-10 day timeline.

Items that aren’t internally available will not be considered high priority, as any manufacturing delays or extensive lead times fall beyond the 5-10 day window. 

Regular Service Items

Regular Service Items are classified as anything that would not prevent substantial completion of work performed by another contractor.

These items are generally cosmetic in nature. They can include, but are not limited to, door replacement, handle replacement, decorative trim, and touch-ups. 

Barring any unforeseen issues or manufacturing delays, Regular Service Items should be addressed within  5-6 weeks from the day of inspection.

Your Service Work Appointment

Once the required materials and orders are available, it is time to complete your service work!

When all necessary materials are prepared and your service work is ready to be addressed, a CSR will be in contact to schedule an appointment with you (designated as an AM or PM arrival). 

Reading your previous inspection report will provide you with an estimate of how long your needed service work will take.

It is not required that you are present for the service work, but you are more than welcome to be home!

What to Expect On Service Work Day

Clients will be contacted via email 48 hours prior to their service work appointment. They will also receive an automated phone call as a reminder. 

On the day of the appointment. they will also receive a phone call from our service work technician before attending the service call.

On the day of your scheduled service work appointment, many of the same expectations from installation day will occur. 

The same safety concerns as outlined for Installation Day should be implemented and respected. Depending on the type of service work required, various electric tools and saws will once again be on-site. 

While our service work specialists will not necessitate as much workspace as was needed on installation day, they may still need the 84 square feet of covered area to set up their saws if any cuts are required to be made.

What Happens After Service Work?

After service work is completed, a Service Technician will examine and confirm the alterations.

If it is determined that further service is required, the process will start again with a new report, following the same process and timelines.

If you have any questions regarding the Deslaurier service process, contact: 1-800-267-8815 (select option 4)

FAQs

Still have inquiries that weren’t answered above? Let's examine some common questions and concerns we receive from clients.

What Is Deslaurier’s Warranty Policy?

Despite our best efforts to reduce any damage, it is a construction site - and things may happen that result in damage. 

Deslaurier provides extensive warranties, and it is crucial for any homeowner to understand what items and scenarios are qualified under warranty. 

Check out this article for an in-depth analysis of the Deslaurier Warranty Policy. It also provides numerous examples of what would and would not be covered under warranty. 

What is the policy on service work cancellations? 

Of course, cancellations are never ideal, but if you require cancellation please provide us with as much warning as possible. 

Once your service work appointment has been cancelled, you will be able to schedule yourself into our next availability.

If you do try and reschedule, it is important to know that depending on our volume of scheduled service appointments, you could be subject to significant delays and a long waiting period.

Door Joints Cracking

Because natural wood is a live product, some natural occurrences in cabinets are not considered material or workmanship defects. 

Natural wood will inherently “breathe” due to changes in temperature or humidity, by expanding or contracting. This can result in hairline cracks in joints, especially on painted 5-piece doors. This is a natural occurrence and does not result in service work being needed.

Reference our article on Stained vs. Painted Cabinets for more information on what to expect for different cabinet door finishes.

Touch-Ups and Wear and Tear

Every Deslaurier custom kitchen comes with a small “touch-up kit” for clients to use. These kits come with colour-matched materials to adequately touch-up any slight scratches on your cabinets as a result of accidents or extensive daily use.

That being said, certain colours and finishes may require professionals to precisely touch-up your doors by airbrushing. This service is not covered by warranty and the process will cost roughly $130.00/hr (3 hour minimum). 

Doors Adjustments

Door adjustments are a common and natural occurrence for cabinet owners. Doors will loosen and become misaligned from daily use. Learning  how to adjust them when needed will come in handy down the road.

Doors should be adjusted seasonally due to expanding and contracting from changing temperatures and humidity. This process won’t take long and will only require a screwdriver. 

Thankfully for you, we have an article all to teach you all about how to adjust your kitchen cabinet doors! 

Additions

If you are looking to make any changes or add accessories to your original design plan, please contact your design specialist: Design Services 

Discover Deslaurier 

At Deslaurier, we know purchasing custom kitchen cabinetry is one of the biggest investments you'll make for your home. That's why we believe in full transparency with our step-by-step post-installation process to ensure our clients will always know what comes next, or where to turn if they have any questions about their new kitchen design. 

Deslaurier is an industry leader in custom cabinet design and eco-friendly manufacturing. We aim to deliver high quality products and exceptional service that always exceeds the unique expectations of our customers. With over 60+ years of experience, our design experts will turn your dreams into a reality.