Ours was 40% at contract, 60% after install. I have no idea what is typical.

We are going HD route so we are paying up front (on there credit card with a 12 month deferal so I feel we still have leverage). Having said that cabinet company may require payment on delivery of the balance so this is understandable but I would expect the KD to be there to inspect the product and verify the order is correct before releasing the balance to the fabricator (s\he should be insisting on this - why would s\he want to pay for incorrect or damaged merchandise?). I wouldn't pay the KD for the install until I saw it, maybe 25% up front at most. Do you think the KD is paying for the labour up front? Seems unlikely. KD sounds cash strapped. Have you met your installer and seen his\her work? If not I suggest you take that step. Some GC's (and KD's) take the clients money and stiff the subs - make sure the installer and KD have a history and a good relationship. 5% hold back for deficiencies seems small - not much leverage in 5%.

Trying to look at it from KD's side as well, if KD is reputable and has a long relationship with the installer then I might consider a mimimum 25% (of install) hold back. Offer to produce a bank draft\money order that you can show a the beginning but won't turn over until things are 90% complete - disreputable clients are probably as common as disreputabe KD's so you can appreciate their desire to get paid up front.

It should all be spelled out in your contract. We paid 50% down and will pay 40% upon receipt of delivery (and inspection by KD)and 10% when the installation is "substantially complete". In my case, the 10% holdback roughly covers the cost of installation.

ours was 50% down and 50% at install. I felt very comfortable with the cabinet maker but it I had not, I think I would definitely asked for a 10% hold til the last bit was tweaked. Even a month after installation we are still "tweaking" and waiting for two or three small things . I know these are coming in the next week but would hate to have things still owed if I wasn't working with such an honest person.

ours was 1/3 down, 1/3 after first week, and 1/3 after completion.

Ours was 1/3 at order, 1/3 at cabinet & appliance delivery, and 1/3 at completion.

Check your local laws, some states stipulate the most a contractor/KD can ask for and when.

I'm a KD. If someone buy cabinets but installs their own or hires their own installer, it's balance on delivery.

If my company does the install. The cabinets and all delivered materials are due upon delivery. Half of the install is due on they day we start and the balance due upon completion. If there is a punchlist, then they can withhold a bit...usually 5-10% of the install cost or whatever we negotiate seems fair.

Buehl, where do I check the local law? It sounds like a good idea

Kompy,

Thanks for your input as a KD. I have a question about "The cabinets and all delivered materials are due upon delivery". Do you expect the customer to inspect all the cabinets before paying or do you expect them to hand over the check before the cabinets are unpacked? This is the first time for us and these cabinets literally are the most expensive purchase after our house, so I am nervous about paying that much money for "something in the box" so to speak. I thought it would be fair to inspect each cabinet and refuse something if there is any damage or a wrong item and withhold that specific amount. I have an appointment with the KD tomorrow and will discuss this but would like to know if I am being unreasonable and it is just something that is not done

Ours was 50% to order, 40% to install and a final 10% when job was 100% complete. Seemed very fair to me.

Mine was 60% down, balance after completion to my satisfaction. This is direct from cab company (they did the install.)

Mine were 50% down and 50% on delivery. They're just supplying the cabinets and don't do the install itself. So similar situation as to what someone above was saying about paying the final balance on delivery if they are satisfactory since the installers aren't affiliated with the cabinet company. The cabinet company does guarantee the cabinets for a period of time after as well should any defects show up. I don't remember off hand how long.

we paid half deposit and half after *everything* was installed (including all the little molding strips and fillers and pull-outs).

but our cabinet purchase was through our contractor, so it was all rolled into our payment schedule. might be different if you're dealing with a separate cabinet company.