What tools and vehicle setup should a cabinet installation business already have?
Expect a working set of levels, saws, drills, clamps, lasers and lifting aids, plus a van or truck set up to carry cabinets safely. Check that it all works, is owned by the business and matches what the crew needs. Gaps and worn items become your first purchases.
Ask for a tool list and then see the tools. Check precision tools, such as levels and lasers, for accuracy, and look at saws, drills and clamps for wear. Ask how many full kits the business has, and whether each installer owns personal tools that would leave with them.
Look at how the vehicle is set up. Cabinets need protected racks, padding, secured loads and room for panels. See whether shelving keeps hardware organized. Ask about age, mileage, service records and any lease or loan on each vehicle, and ask your lawyer to confirm title.
Consider lifting and handling gear, such as panel carts, jacks and straps, since these protect both product and backs. Ask what safety equipment is supplied. Finally, estimate what you would need to replace in the first season and budget for it. An equipment appraiser can help with condition, and a lender may ask for the list. Your accountant can show how these items appear in the books. Ask also about spare parts, blades, fasteners and consumables, and how they are restocked. A well-run shop has a simple system, and a poor one often shows up as missed time on site while someone drives to buy a missing part. Look at the shop and storage space too, because tools kept dry and sorted usually last longer.
Key takeaways
- Get a tool list and test the precision tools.
- Check vehicle racks, condition and any lease or loan.
- Find out which tools belong to installers personally.
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Due diligence
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
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