Our Cabinet Installation Process in Clanton, Alabama

We believe you deserve a clear answer to every question before you commit to a single thing. This page walks through exactly how a McRae Cabinet and Design project works — from the first conversation to the day we hand you a finished kitchen or bathroom and call the job done.

6 Steps From Consultation to Completed Installation

Step 1 — Free In-Home or Showroom Consultation

Every McRae project starts here — and it costs you nothing. We offer free consultations either at your home or at our showroom at 816 Center Avenue, Clanton.

In-home consultations let us see your actual space, take measurements, and assess any existing conditions that affect the cabinet design.

Showroom visits give you the chance to see door styles and finishes in person before we discuss your project in detail.

During this first conversation we cover: what you’re trying to accomplish, your timeline, your budget range, and which type of cabinet — stock, semi-custom, or custom — makes the most sense for your project. There’s no obligation and no pressure. The goal is to give you enough information to make a confident decision about whether to move forward.

What to bring: Measurements of your space if available, any design inspiration photos, and your questions. We’ll handle the rest.

Step 2 — Cabinet Selection at Our Clanton Showroom

Our showroom at 816 Center Avenue, Clanton carries door samples and finish options from every brand we stock — Jarlin, JSI Cabinetry, Northpoint, Ridgewood, Vision, Eurocraft, ProSelect, KCD, and Integrity Cabinets. This step is where your project starts to take real shape.

We walk you through the brands and lines that fit your project type, budget, and design direction. You compare door profiles, finish colors, and hardware options in person — not from a screen. This is one of the most important steps in the process because finishes and textures look and feel different in person than they do in photographs, and a decision made in the showroom is a decision made with confidence.

For custom cabinet projects, this step also includes preliminary material selection for the fabrication process.

How long does this take: Most selection appointments take 1–2 hours. For larger or more complex projects, a second visit is sometimes needed to finalize choices.

Step 3 — Design Layout and Estimate

With selections made, our team creates a detailed cabinet layout plan specific to your space. For kitchens, this includes a full cabinet configuration drawing showing base cabinets, wall cabinets, tall cabinets, and any specialty pieces — optimized for storage, workflow, and visual balance. For bathrooms, it covers vanity placement, sizing, and any storage configurations.

Once the layout is finalized, we provide a complete written estimate covering cabinets, hardware, and installation. Everything is itemized — you see exactly what you’re paying for and why.

Nothing moves to the next step until you have reviewed and approved both the design layout and the written estimate in full. This is not a formality — it’s the most important protection we build into every project. Changes are easy at this stage. They become expensive and complicated after an order is placed.

Turnaround time: Design layouts and estimates are typically delivered within 3–5 business days of your selection appointment.

Step 4 — Order, Fabrication, and Delivery

Once you approve the design and estimate, we place the order and take over all coordination from that point forward. You have a single point of contact at McRae Cabinet and Design — not a manufacturer’s customer service line or a logistics coordinator you’ve never met.

We monitor fabrication progress, manage lead times, and coordinate delivery to your project site. For custom builds, we stay in contact with the fabrication team to ensure specifications are being followed correctly before the cabinets ship.

We communicate proactively — you’ll know the expected delivery window well in advance and we’ll confirm installation scheduling as soon as delivery is confirmed.

Lead time by cabinet type:
In-Stock: 3–7 business days / Semi-Custom: 2–6 weeks / Custom: 6–12 weeks

Step 5 — Professional Cabinet Installation

Our installation team arrives on the scheduled date, works clean, and treats your home with respect throughout the process. Cabinet installation includes all placement, leveling, securing, and finishing work — every cabinet is set to exact specification, with doors adjusted, drawer hardware aligned, and trim and filler pieces fitted cleanly.

We coordinate directly with your countertop contractor, appliance delivery team, and any other trades involved in your project. Cabinet installation happens in the right sequence so your project doesn’t stall waiting for one trade to catch up to another.

Most kitchen cabinet installations are completed in 1–3 days. Bathroom installations typically take 1–2 days. We clean up at the end of every workday — your home should look presentable even while work is in progress.

Do I need to be home? We recommend being available at the start and end of each installation day. You don’t need to supervise — our team works independently and communicates any questions directly with you.

Step 6 — Final Walkthrough and Your Approval

The job is not done until you say it’s done. That’s not a slogan — it’s the standard we hold ourselves to on every project, every time.

Before we pack up tools and call a project complete, we conduct a full walkthrough with you covering every door, drawer, finish detail, alignment, and trim piece. If anything doesn’t meet the standard we agreed to at the design stage, we address it before leaving.

Your signature on the completion walkthrough is what closes a McRae project — not our timeline or our convenience. The finished result should match exactly what was agreed to in the design and estimate, and you are the judge of whether it does.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER INSTALLATION

What to Expect After Installation

New cabinet installations go through a brief settling-in period. Here’s what’s normal and what to do if something needs attention.

Door and drawer adjustments: Cabinet hinges and drawer slides are adjustable — small alignment changes in the first few weeks of use are normal as the hardware settles. Most adjustments take less than five minutes with a screwdriver. If you’re not comfortable making them yourself, contact us and we’ll address it.

Soft-close hardware: Soft-close hinges and drawer slides need to be used gently for the first few weeks. Forcing them open or shut can affect the mechanism during break-in. After 2–4 weeks of normal use, the hardware performs at full function.

Finish care: Most cabinet finishes can be cleaned with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals, and excessive moisture near seams and joints. We’ll provide specific care guidance for your finish type during the final walkthrough.

Questions after installation: We’re always reachable at 205-955-4847. If something needs attention after installation, contact us directly — we stand behind our work.

faq

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Cabinet Process

How long does the full cabinet process take from start to finish in Clanton, AL?

Total timeline depends on your cabinet type. In-stock projects can move from consultation to installed in 1–2 weeks. Semi-custom projects typically run 4–8 weeks total. Custom projects take 8–14 weeks from design approval through completed installation. We provide a specific timeline during your free estimate — and we hold to it.

Do I need to be home during cabinet installation?

We recommend being available at the start and end of each installation day. You don't need to be present throughout — our team works independently and communicates any questions directly with you. We confirm your preferred communication method before installation begins.

What if I need to make changes after the cabinet order is placed?

Changes after an order is placed are difficult to accommodate depending on how far into production the cabinets are. This is exactly why we take the design review and written estimate process seriously before placing any order. If a change is needed after ordering, contact us immediately — we will do everything possible to accommodate it within the manufacturer's constraints.

Do you handle countertop installation as well as cabinets?

McRae Cabinet and Design specializes in cabinet work. We coordinate directly with your countertop contractor to ensure proper sequencing — cabinets install before countertops, and we communicate with your countertop team to keep the project on schedule. Through our parent company Recon Reconstruction, full-scope remodeling services are available if you need a broader project managed under one roof.

How disruptive is cabinet installation to my home?

Cabinet installation is contained to the room being worked on. Our team keeps the rest of your home clear throughout the process. Kitchen installations typically take 1–3 days. Bathroom installations usually take 1–2 days. We clean up at the end of every workday and do a full cleanup at project completion before the final walkthrough.

Ready to Start? Schedule Your Free Consultation in Clanton, Alabama

Step 1 is always free and always without obligation. McRae Cabinet and Design serves homeowners and builders throughout Clanton and Central Alabama — and every project starts with the same conversation: what do you need, what are you working with, and what’s the right path to get there. Schedule your free consultation today and let’s find out what your space could look like.