Modular Kitchen Planning Checklist: 25 Questions to Answer Before You Book
Ammon Marketing
Authorized Kutchina Dealer · Ranchi
02 Jul 2026
~ read
TL;DR
- Most kitchen buyers regret decisions that were avoidable with 2 hours of planning before booking
- The three decisions you can't easily change after installation: layout, hob position, and countertop material
- Before signing, get the carcass material (BWP/HDHMR), hardware brand, and warranty terms in writing
- A free site visit from a professional kitchen designer is the best first step — not a showroom visit
Quick Answer: Before booking your modular kitchen, you need answers in five areas: space and measurements, layout and workflow, materials and finishes, appliances and accessories, and vendor terms (warranty, timeline, payment). The 25 questions below are everything you need to work through. Getting these answered before the first dealer visit saves significant time, avoids regretful decisions, and prevents mid-project changes.
Homeowners who feel most satisfied with their modular kitchen typically spent 2–4 hours on planning before their first dealer visit. Homeowners who feel disappointed typically rushed the decision — or trusted showroom photos over their own measurements and cooking habits. This checklist is your planning tool.
Section 1: Space and Measurements
| # | Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What are the exact dimensions of your kitchen (length × width × height)? | Determines which layouts fit and how many running feet of cabinet you can have |
| 2 | Where are the existing plumbing points (water inlet and drain for sink)? | Sink position is almost always fixed by plumbing — it determines the counter layout |
| 3 | Where is the gas point or LPG pipe connection? | Hob must be near gas connection — moving gas lines is expensive and needs approvals |
| 4 | Where are the electrical outlets — and can new ones be added? | Chimney, hob, microwave, and appliance sockets must be planned before installation |
| 5 | Are there windows, doors, or beams that limit wall use? | Every constraint affects cabinet placement — measure and note all of them |
Section 2: Layout and Workflow
| # | Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Which layout best fits your space — L-shaped, U-shaped, parallel, or straight? | Layout is the single most permanent decision — get this right before anything else |
| 7 | Will the kitchen be open, closed, or semi-open? | Open kitchen needs higher chimney suction; affects ventilation, smoke containment |
| 8 | How many people regularly cook simultaneously? | Multiple cooks need more counter space, wider aisle, and possibly more burners |
| 9 | What is your work triangle — distance between sink, stove, and fridge? | Ideal combined distance is 10–12 ft — plan all three positions before finalising layout |
| 10 | Do you want floor-to-ceiling wall cabinets or standard height? | Floor-to-ceiling adds 30–40% storage; must be decided before cabinet manufacturing |
Section 3: Materials and Finishes
| # | Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | What carcass material does the vendor use — BWP IS:710 plywood or HDHMR? | Carcass material determines the kitchen's 15–20 year lifespan; never accept particle board |
| 12 | What is the carcass thickness — is 18mm used throughout? | Under 18mm reduces structural integrity; ask for it in the written quotation |
| 13 | What shutter finish do you want — acrylic, laminate, PU paint, or membrane? | Each has different maintenance requirements and cost; see physical samples, not screen photos |
| 14 | What countertop material — granite, quartz, or marble? | Granite for heavy Indian cooking; quartz for low-maintenance; avoid marble near the hob |
| 15 | What backsplash material and grout type for behind the hob? | Specify epoxy grout; consider SS panel or large vitrified tile for the hob zone |
Section 4: Appliances and Accessories
| # | Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Gas hob or induction? How many burners? | Must be decided before layout finalisation — gas requires proximity to gas line |
| 17 | What chimney suction capacity do you need for your kitchen type? | Closed kitchen: 1,200 m³/hr min; open kitchen: 1,500 m³/hr min |
| 18 | What sink size and configuration — single or double bowl? | Single large bowl (24×18"+) for Indian cooking; specify 304 grade SS minimum |
| 19 | Which accessories are essential — corner carousel, tandem drawers, pull-outs? | Decide before order; some require specific cabinet configurations that can't be added later |
| 20 | What hardware brand for hinges and drawer runners? | Specify Blum or Hettich — branded hardware lasts significantly longer than generic |
Section 5: Vendor, Timeline, and Terms
| # | Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | What is the exact delivery and installation timeline from order confirmation? | Get a written delivery date — verbal promises are not enforceable |
| 22 | What is the payment schedule? | Fair structure: 30–40% on order, 50–60% on delivery, balance on handover — never 100% upfront |
| 23 | What warranty is provided — and what exactly does it cover? | Ask what the warranty covers (structure, hinges, shutters) and for how many years; get it in writing |
| 24 | Is a post-installation snag visit included, and what is the response time? | Minor issues arise after installation; confirm a snag visit is part of the contract |
| 25 | Does the vendor have a local service team in your city? | A Delhi-based vendor serving Ranchi via courier means no practical post-installation support |
What to look for in a kitchen quotation:
- Carcass material specified (BWP IS:710 or HDHMR) with thickness (18mm)
- Shutter material and finish type clearly named
- Hardware brand named (Blum / Hettich or equivalent)
- Countertop material and variety
- Itemised list of all accessories included
- Delivery date in writing
- Payment schedule as milestones, not lump sum
- Warranty coverage in writing — what is covered and for how long
If any of these are missing from the quotation, ask for them explicitly before signing. A professional vendor will provide all of these without hesitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I plan before booking a modular kitchen?
Before booking, work through five areas: (1) Space — measure your kitchen precisely, note plumbing, gas, and electrical points, (2) Layout — decide which layout fits your space and cooking habits, (3) Materials — choose carcass board, shutter finish, and countertop material, (4) Appliances — decide hob type, chimney capacity, sink configuration, and accessories, (5) Vendor terms — confirm warranty, timeline, payment schedule, and local service availability in writing.
How do I take kitchen measurements for modular kitchen?
Measure all four walls from corner to corner in millimetres (not feet, for accuracy). Note: all window positions (width and height from floor), all door positions (width and swing direction), existing plumbing points (mark on a sketch), gas point position, electrical outlet positions. Measure ceiling height. Note any beams, pillars, or ducts that protrude into the kitchen space. Bring this sketch — not just numbers — to the dealer. Better yet, book a free site visit so a professional measures for you.
What questions should I ask a modular kitchen dealer?
Six most important questions: (1) What carcass material do you use — BWP IS:710 or HDHMR? (2) What hardware brand — Blum or Hettich? (3) What is the exact installation timeline? (4) What warranty do you provide, and what does it cover in writing? (5) Is there a local service team in my city for post-installation support? (6) What is the payment schedule? If a dealer avoids specifics on materials or warranty, that itself is information.
How long does it take to plan a modular kitchen?
Allow 2–4 weeks from first contact to order confirmation if you are thorough. Week 1: site visit and initial 3D design. Week 2: design review and revision. Week 3: material selection (see physical samples, not just screen colours). Week 4: quotation review, terms check, order confirmation. Rushing this process is the most common cause of mid-project regrets — changes after manufacturing starts are expensive and cause delays.
What is the most important decision in modular kitchen planning?
Layout is the most important and most permanent decision. Once base cabinets are installed, changing the layout means demolishing and rebuilding. All other decisions (colour, finish, accessories) are either adjustable or replaceable over the kitchen's life. Get the layout — and specifically the work triangle between sink, stove, and fridge — right before anything else. The hob and sink positions are the anchors everything else is planned around.
What should be included in modular kitchen warranty?
A strong warranty should cover: (1) Carcass structure (cabinet box) — minimum 5 years against warping, swelling, or delamination, (2) Shutter panels — against delamination of the finish from the board, (3) Hinges and drawer runners — minimum 2–5 years against mechanism failure, (4) Internal accessories (carousel, tandem boxes) — 1–2 years. Ammon Marketing provides 10-year warranty on Kutchina modular kitchen components. Always get the warranty scope in writing, not just a verbal assurance.
How do I compare modular kitchen quotes from different vendors?
Compare like-for-like: (1) Same carcass material and thickness, (2) Same or equivalent shutter finish, (3) Same or equivalent hardware brand, (4) Same accessories list, (5) Same countertop material and variety. A ₹50,000 difference between two quotes often reflects a difference in carcass board (BWP vs particle board) or hardware (Blum vs generic) — not just margin. Ask both vendors to match materials before comparing final prices.
Should I visit a showroom or get a site visit first?
Site visit first — always. A showroom visit shows you finished kitchens in large, well-lit spaces that look very different from your actual kitchen. A site visit gives the designer your real dimensions, real constraints, and real lighting conditions to design around. The 3D design you receive after a site visit will show your actual kitchen — not a generic showroom layout. Ammon Marketing in Ranchi offers free site visits with no obligation — this is the right starting point.
Key Takeaways
- Work through all 25 questions before your first dealer visit — 2 hours of planning prevents years of regret
- The three irreversible decisions: layout, hob/sink position, and carcass material — get all three right before signing
- Always book a site visit before a showroom visit — a design based on your actual kitchen dimensions is worth far more than a showroom display
- Get carcass material (BWP/HDHMR), hardware brand, warranty scope, timeline, and payment schedule in writing in the quotation
- A dealer who can answer all 25 questions clearly and in writing is a dealer worth trusting with a 15-year investment
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Ammon Marketing Editorial Team
Authorized Kutchina Dealer · Ranchi · Est. 2014
Our guides are written by Ranchi-based kitchen designers and appliance experts with 10+ years of on-the-ground experience. Every recommendation is based on real projects completed in Jharkhand homes — not generic advice from outside the region.
