I would pay the going rate for a local company to do the work. The forum is full is kitchen install issue with local well known companies. What do you think would happen if this person is not able to fulfill the duties? What would your recourse be? Have you looked at Home Depot or a local lumber heard as an option? IKEA cabinets are really easy to install but if you are not handy and don't have a kitchen installer who would do the work, I would look at other options.

Although price is important it is not always the best thing to base your decisions on.

Good luck!

This is my other option. I don't want using these cabinets to prevent me from getting quality kitchen contractor/gc who don't want to be bothered w/ ikea. (I've been running into the problem. My project is small as it is, and we're getting into busy scheduling season. Would prefer only one contract group. Looked at 3rd party ikea partners; they can do cabs but all the other things in kitchen to be done, either they can't/don't do or are really overpriced for things outside ikea cabs. So I am looking at breaking project into 2.

I'd be interested in hearing others who hire strangers which I know I am not the only one.

What about IKEA's installers? When I was thinking of going w/ IKEA, I think they told me the price was something like $100/cabinet, regardless of cabinet type or size, and that included assembly & installation.

I checked out the all the local IKEA installers I could find here. For one reason or another, I discounted them. This internet contractor says he's an independent IKEA installer (like the others), just from a different state. It's not all about the pricing, i just didn't like some of them.

I'd ask for references and check them out.

Yes I'm awaiting references and his business privilege license photo

I'm all about references. Good luck with the project.

Payment in full upon satisfactory completion only. If he's any good he'll take that deal. I do it all the time.

Herbflavor sums up my thoughts exactly.

Thanks for responses. Yes I checked out IKEA-referred companies. Just.wasn't.impressed.at.all. There are independent IKEA installers, which this internet guy is. He gave me some info which when googled, turned up all types of good info. He's on angieslist in Burbank, CA but I only pay for local access so I can't see those reviews. Thanks Joseph, its a 3day install. A deposit on day 2 with balance due when completed. Seemed reasonable (no money upfront).

Younare not a good candidate for Ikea. Do something else.

Why would you say that Sophie?

Paid labor is the largest component to any job. IKEA is designed for DIYers to assemble and hang themselves. Increasing the labor component to account for the additional time for assembly and hacks for IKEA doesn't give good return on the dollar. Buy already assembled cabinetry, reduce labor time, and reduce the labor costs and achieve better return for the dollar invested. Especially if you are not enthusiastic about the previously interviewed contractors. You can upgrade to a GC to handle it all, sure, but they won't be nearly as cheap as a IKEA installer. You will end up spending a lot more on labor than you think you will if you keep going down this path.

Thanks for your comments Sophie. I have respected many of your previous posts. Going with IKEA cabs was not for the DIY factor or really even the cost. It was because of the longevity of ikea's cabinet line. Since it's a budget rental, I'm only doing one wall of cabinets. In 6-7 or even 10-15 years from now, should I wish to add more cabinets to another wall to make it a 2-wall built-in galley kitchen, the ikea cabinet line will still be available. If the property value skyrockets to unheard pricing, I can always go with more upscale door and drawer fronts. (I have a non-ikea GC who will do my kitchen. An ikea installer would just assemble and do a simple install if I could work them into the schedule). Using ikea in a rental property, I'll probably get the chance to check out their 25yr warranty.

As a long time designer, which cabinet lines would you suggest that is affordable today and will still meet my needs in 10 years?

You can count on one hand how often I've disagreed with the Sophinator, but add this one to the list. IKEA cabinets assemble incredibly quickly for an experienced crew. I've installed both and unboxing manufactured cabinets is no picnic. Every door, shelf, and drawer has to be removed to install them, so you're actually working backwards a bit.

For those that suggested using IKEA's referral/partner contractor. I met with the IKEA partner contractor and was not impressed. I still did my usual due diligence. When their own Facebook page has 1 star reviews..ouch!