1. Define the kitchen scope
Record the client, project address, drawing issue and rooms included. Confirm whether the quote is based on architectural drawings, joinery drawings, site measurements or a concept. List the elevations and identify islands, butler's pantries, appliance walls and other connected areas.
Separate what you supply from what others supply. Benchtops, appliances, handles, splashbacks, plumbing, electrical work, demolition, painting and making good are common boundary items, but the correct inclusion depends on the project. State the basis rather than relying on a standard assumption that may not apply.
If the drawings conflict or a selection is missing, record a question, assumption or provisional allowance before completing the price.
2. Break the kitchen into quote items
Work elevation by elevation. Count base, upper and tall cabinets, then capture widths, heights and depths where shown. Identify drawer cabinets, corner solutions, sink cabinets, appliance housings, open units and custom shapes.
Add the elements commonly missed when only cabinet boxes are counted: end panels, island backs, waterfall panels, fillers, scribes, kickers, bulkheads, shadow lines, open shelves, decorative battens and finished interiors. Check whether exposed surfaces require a different substrate or finish.
Record appliances even when excluded from supply. Model and installation type affect openings, panels, ventilation, clearances, drawers and hardware. If models are not confirmed, state the allowance or configuration used.
3. Price materials, finishes and hardware
Cabinet construction
Define carcass material, thickness, colour, edge treatment, backing and shelf construction. Apply waste or sheet-utilisation assumptions consistently and review unusual depths or heights.
Doors and visible panels
Separate laminate, decorative board, painted, timber veneer and other finish systems because material and labour vary. Include preparation, edging, polishing or outsourced finishing where applicable. Confirm grain direction and matching requirements where they affect yield.
Hardware and accessories
Count hinges, runners, lift mechanisms, handles, bins, organisers, hanging rails and specialist fittings. Avoid a single hardware allowance when the selected items materially change cost. Check supplier rate dates before issue.
4. Calculate labour, delivery and overhead
Estimate direct labour for drafting, machining, edging, assembly, finishing, packing, delivery and installation. Add project management and supervision where they are project costs. Allow for site access, stairs, parking, travel, protection and staged installation when known.
Overhead is not the same as direct labour. Rent, software, insurance, vehicles, administration, machinery ownership and other business costs need a consistent recovery method. Whether your business recovers them through hourly rates, cabinet rates or a project allocation, keep the method visible enough to review.
Contingency should respond to real uncertainty, not conceal an incomplete scope. Use explicit allowances for unresolved selections or access conditions where practical.
5. Review markup, margin and profitability
Markup and gross margin are different calculations. If cost is $10,000 and the sell price is $12,500, the markup on cost is 25%, while the gross margin on selling price is 20%. Use the measure your business has chosen consistently and verify spreadsheet formulas.
Before finalising, review material, hardware, labour, subcontract, delivery and overhead totals. Check GST treatment, rounding, minimum charges and any discount. Compare the selling price with the scope and risk rather than adjusting the total without understanding which cost changed.
Gross margin percentage = (selling price − cost) ÷ selling price × 100. This is a general calculation, not accounting advice; confirm the costing method appropriate for your business.
6. Present a quote that can be understood
Use a clear project title and room breakdown. Describe the cabinetry, visible finishes and major hardware without exposing every internal costing line. List inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, provisional allowances, installation basis, lead-time basis, payment terms, variation process and quote expiry where applicable.
Review spelling, drawing references and totals. Make sure an estimator or responsible team member checks the final scope. Keep the version issued to the client and record later revisions rather than silently replacing it.
Pre-issue checklist
- Every kitchen elevation is represented.
- Panels, fillers, scribes and kickers are counted.
- Appliance models or allowances are recorded.
- Finishes and hardware have a pricing basis.
- Drafting, delivery and installation are considered.
- Overhead and margin are reviewed separately.
- Assumptions and exclusions are visible.
- The drawing revision and quote version are stated.
Common questions
Can I quote a kitchen from a floor plan alone?
You can prepare an early allowance, but a final scope normally needs elevations, dimensions, finishes, appliance information and construction details. Clearly label the basis and missing information.
Should every cabinet appear as a client-facing line item?
Not necessarily. The internal estimate can remain cabinet-level while the client quote presents a readable room or scope summary. Keep enough detail to define what is included.
What causes kitchen quote revisions?
Common causes include drawing changes, appliance selections, finish changes, site dimensions, added cabinetry, hardware upgrades and clarified installation scope. Record each revision and its pricing basis.
Build the quote in one structured workflow
JOINA supports manual and drawing-assisted quote preparation with editable rooms, cabinetry and pricing inputs.
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