The five stages
- Site measurementExact dimensions taken after plastering and tiling, including out-of-square walls, service positions and appliance locations. Measuring too early is the commonest cause of ill-fitting kitchens.
- Design & approvalLayout, elevations, appliance cut-outs and hardware schedule. You sign off drawings, not ideas.
- Factory fabricationBoards cut on a panel saw to tolerances a site carpenter cannot match, then edge-banded on all exposed faces to seal the core against moisture.
- Hardware fittingHinges, channels, baskets and lift mechanisms fitted and tested in the factory, under controlled conditions.
- Site installationUnits levelled and fixed, shutters aligned, countertop templated and installed, plumbing and appliances connected, final alignment.
Why factory-made beats site carpentry
| Factor | Factory modular | Site carpentry |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting accuracy | Panel saw, ±1 mm | Hand tools, ±3–5 mm |
| Edge sealing | Machine edge-banded all faces | Often unsealed on hidden edges |
| Dust & noise on site | Minimal — days | Extensive — weeks |
| Moisture resistance | Sealed core | Exposed edges absorb moisture |
| Timeline | 3 – 5 days on site | 3 – 5 weeks on site |
| Flexibility for odd spaces | Requires accurate measurement | Adjustable in real time |
Edge banding is the difference between a kitchen that lasts and one that swells. It is also the first thing a cheap quote removes from hidden edges.
Greenbox principal designer
Design and build under one accountable roof
Where it goes wrong
- Measuring before tiling is complete — everything shifts by the tile thickness.
- Choosing appliances after fabrication — cut-outs are already made.
- Unsealed edges on hidden faces, which is where moisture enters.
- Countertop ordered before base units are installed — templating must come after.
- Plumbing points that do not match the design, discovered on installation day.
Selected work by Greenbox Design Studio. Tap any image to enlarge.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a modular kitchen take to make?+
Three to five weeks in total: one to two weeks for design and approval, two to three weeks for factory fabrication, and three to five days for site installation. Countertop templating adds a few days because it happens after base units are fixed.
Is a modular kitchen better than site carpentry?+
Generally yes. Factory cutting is accurate to about a millimetre against three to five for hand tools, all edges are machine-sealed against moisture, and site time drops from weeks to days. Site carpentry retains an advantage only in very irregular spaces.
What is edge banding and why does it matter?+
A sealing strip applied to the cut edges of a board. Unsealed edges absorb moisture, which swells and delaminates the core — the most common failure in Indian kitchens. Cheap quotes often band only visible edges; all edges should be sealed.