KENYA · GUIDE 0414 · EDITION 4.2
Kitchen cabinet refacing in Kenya: Operations and Quality Checks
Deliver the agreed result consistently
Inspect existing cabinet boxes and hardware before proposing new fronts, distinguishing cosmetic refacing from failed carcasses, plumbing issues or changes requiring a fuller kitchen refurbishment.
The operating sequence for this offer is:
- Inspect cabinet carcasses, hinges and water damage, then record which parts can be retained and which require separate replacement.
- Approve door dimensions, finish sample and hardware compatibility; record the exact fronts and surfaces included in the refacing price.
- Check door operation and alignment with the owner, record excluded carcass defects and retain finish and hardware references.
Put acceptance into the job record
Doors open correctly and finish matches the approved sample; damaged carcasses remain excluded.
Have the customer operate refaced doors and drawers, checking clearances and the approved finish against samples while recording any retained cabinet limitation at handover.
Inspect at the point where a correction is still possible, then again at handover. Record rejected or incomplete output separately from accepted output. A completed task is not automatically an accepted task, and an invoice does not establish that the customer received the right result.
Measure real capacity
Time preparation, the main operation, transport, cleaning, approvals and correction as applicable. The slowest stage determines how much you can promise. Where two orders need the same person, space or equipment at the same time, resolve the conflict before confirming both deadlines. An additional enquiry should not erase a commitment already made.
| Operating checkpoint | Evidence for this business |
|---|---|
| Before starting | Inspect existing cabinet boxes and hardware before proposing new fronts, distinguishing cosmetic refacing from failed carcasses, plumbing issues or changes requiring a fuller kitchen refurbishment. |
| During delivery | Approve door dimensions, finish sample and hardware compatibility; record the exact fronts and surfaces included in the refacing price. |
| At acceptance | Have the customer operate refaced doors and drawers, checking clearances and the approved finish against samples while recording any retained cabinet limitation at handover. |
| At the pilot review | Record carcass condition, door measurements, hardware choices and operating corrections, then use the pilot to identify kitchens genuinely suitable for refacing before advertising savings. |
Keep a correction and escalation rule
When inputs, access, specifications or customer instructions change, pause the affected work and confirm the effect on time and cost. Do not quietly lower the acceptance standard to avoid a delayed delivery. Keep rework caused by your error distinct from a customer-requested change of scope and agree the remedy clearly.
New fronts look attractive but retained hinges and warped boxes prevent proper closing, exposing a survey that prioritised appearance over the condition of existing cabinetry.
Retain the minimum records needed to investigate a complaint without disclosing unrelated personal information. Use measured delivery and actual acceptance as the basis for expanding capacity, rather than the maximum theoretical output of a tool or production line.
Operating control points for this exact offer
| Sequence | Work method | Release checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tag four doors and photograph hinge positions, gaps, moisture swelling and carcass condition before removal. | Reject unsuitable substrate or damaged hardware from the cosmetic refacing scope. |
| 2 | Approve actual laminate décor and edge sample, pattern direction and treatment of reverse faces with the cabinetmaker. | Face-only square metres do not establish the full sheet and balancing requirement. |
| 3 | Specify compatible board, laminate, adhesive and pressing/preparation process using actual manufacturer instructions. | Do not use a generic contact glue or film on an unassessed existing surface. |
| 4 | Cabinetmaker completes supported refacing and edge finishing, keeping door identifiers and original hardware records. | No exposed sharp laminate, loose edges or adhesive damage is concealed at the hinge side. |
| 5 | Refit through competent adjustment and inspect four doors for even gaps, normal closure and handle alignment. | Provide cleaning/cure limitations and document unchanged carcass defects and retained hardware condition. |
Do not substitute a tick for an observation: record the count, measurement, approved sample or evidence reference used at each checkpoint. Mark unresolved work as held and identify who can approve the recheck.
Diagnose a failure before repeating it
| Observed symptom to investigate | Check the cause | Proposed response |
|---|---|---|
| New surface curls at an edge | Review substrate, bonding, balancing and process records with the cabinetmaker. | Do not conceal with a wider trim; obtain supported corrective work. |
| Door rubs after refitting | Compare tagged position, hinge pattern, added thickness and gap record. | Competently adjust or reassess compatibility before shaving material. |
| Swelling reappears near sink | Compare pre-existing moisture and substrate condition with the original exclusion. | Investigate water source and board suitability; another cosmetic layer is not a repair. |
These are diagnostic prompts, not proof of the cause in a real incident. Separate suspect output, record any correction and repeat the relevant acceptance check. Link rejected units, rework time, replacement materials, customer credits and collection delays to the actual job result.