It is a common belief that a refrigerator, range, dishwasher or other major appliances can be a last-minute purchase for a new home, remodel or moving into an existing home. However, we find customers are most satisfied when they plan for the appliances early in the process. With supply chain issues affecting all industries these days, early planning for appliances is more important than ever.
Why is it beneficial?
If you are looking for built-in appliances, especially products with a custom panel installed to integrate with the kitchen, planning ahead is a MUST! Since built-in products are customized, we aren’t able to stock them in our warehouse. The process doesn’t start until your order is taken so they are going to take additional time to come from the manufacturer. This all takes time that you may not have once you’re ready to move in. The very best way to ensure you get what you want, when you want it, is to plan ahead.
If you simply want freestanding and slide-in appliances, you would be right to think that we’d have a tremendous variety of those in stock. That would be a quick purchase if you were moving into a previously completed home. You’d come to us with your measurements for appliance openings and hook-up requirements and those would help us direct you to the appliances that will work for what you have. But when you’re building your home, you can choose the appliances that you want and have the appliance openings, electrical, plumbing and ventilation constructed to fit those specific appliances. Before you have those spaces completely built, here are some important things to consider:
- Size – If you want more storage capacity in a refrigerator or laundry, then bigger appliances require a bigger cutout or hole to fit in your cabinetry.
- Style – Some appliances stick out slightly from the surrounding cabinetry, the industry calls that installing “proud.” If you ran a piece of paper along the neighboring cabinet, it would probably bunch up a little when it reached the appliance, because it sticks out a bit. Some appliances install “flush” against the surrounding cabinetry. So, you could run a piece of paper along the neighboring cabinets, and it would not get stuck at the appliance, because the doors are even with the cabinetry. Your cabinets require different dimensions for a “proud” install than a “flush” install.
- Hookups – Some appliances require a normal two prong outlet; some require a special bigger three-prong outlet. Even the third prong can face different directions for different appliances. Some appliances obviously require a water, gas or liquid propane connection, and builders need to install those connections in a specific location for the appliance to fit.
- Color Finish – Many manufacturers decided to catch up with a backlog of demand by focusing on products ordered the most. Most homes choose stainless steel appliances, so you may need to wait longer for black, white or other appliance finishes.
- Stock – We can only install what the manufacturers produce and ship, so if you need to install an appliance by a certain date, the best way to guarantee its availability is to choose products in stock at our warehouse. Luckily, we have strategically stocked up to give you many options.
How early should I plan?
You’d be wise to contact one of our Sales Professionals before you begin to build your next home or start your next remodel. They are the appliance experts who can help you navigate all of the important steps in the process early enough so that you aren’t left waiting for what you want or settling for what’s available once your project is complete.