Frequently Asked Questions

Do your offer free quotes?

Yes. If you are in the Greater Melbourne area, we would be happy to provide you with a free design, measure and quote.
Just contact us here or call us on (03) 9793 8233.

We’ll send one of our design representatives to measure your space and design your wardrobe or cabinetry.

What type of cabinets do you do?

We design and install cabinetry for your home’s living spaces – the bedroom, living room, study and garage. This includes built in wardrobes, walk-in robes, wall units, bookshelves, desks, home office cabinets, and garage storage.

We offer a full range of design options from classic to contemporary and across a range of price points.

We do not do kitchen or bathroom cabinets so that we can focus on creating great storage solutions for the rest of your home.

Where is my order manufactured?

We manufacture every one of our custom wardrobes, walk in robes, bookshelves, and wall units right here in Melbourne. We have operated from our current Dandenong South factory for almost 10 years.

Our experienced team uses only the highest quality materials from the best Australian and European suppliers. The laminates used are made in Australia from certified, responsibly sourced Australian timber.

How much do your wardrobes and cabinetry cost?

All our work is custom so there is no standard costs for our wardrobes or cabinetry. The cost depends on:

  • The size of your order (larger wardrobes use more materials and are more expensive)
  • The materials you choose (different laminates have different costs)
  • The style you choose (coloured finishes are generally more expensive than white)
  • Other things such as whether we need to remove your existing wardrobe, replace a bulkhead, or cut around existing power outlets

Fortunately, we are able to offer highly competitive pricing:

  • We install in over 1,000 Melbourne homes each year. This volume allows us to negotiate supplier discounts that we pass on to you through better pricing
  • We offer a full range of materials, styles, finishes so there is something to suit all budgets
  • Our design reps are experts at achieving a design you will love at the right price point for you
  • Getting a design, measure, and quote from us is free

Contact us here or call us on (03) 9793 8233 to schedule a free appointment with one of our design reps.

When can I get my new wardrobe or cabinetry installed?

We begin processing your order as soon as we receive your deposit. We typically install your order 3 to 5 weeks after we receive your deposit.

Orders that include two pack painting or specially ordered materials may take slightly longer.

If your order is urgent, please let your design rep know or call the office on (03) 9793 8233.

Do your products come with a warranty?

Yes. Our work comes with a lifetime guarantee on workmanship and a 10 year warranty on parts. See our Quality Guarantee page for more information

Do you have a showroom?

Yes. You can find our showroom at 19 Johnston Ct, Dandenong South.

Feel free to visit during our opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. No appointment required.

Our showroom has a range of styles of doors, laminates, handles, shoe racks, hanging space, and more so you can make informed choices. This is a great way to see different wardrobe solutions, decide what suits your style, and gather design ideas.

Can you help prepare the space where my new wardrobe or cabinetry will go?

Yes. If there is an existing wardrobe or cabinetry in the space, we can generally remove it as part of our service.

Occasionally there is structural work, plastering, or some electrical work required, for which you will need to engage a separate tradesperson. When providing your quote, our design reps explain any work required and connect you with the right professionals.

How do I accept my quote?

To accept your quote just contact your design rep or call us on (03) 9793 8233.

We will then send through an invoice for your deposit so we can begin making your order. Once your order is almost ready, we follow up to schedule installation. Your invoice balance is due upon installation.

Can I get my cabinetry hand painted?

Yes. A popular and cost effective alternative to two pack painting is to have your custom cabinetry hand painted.

We can install your cabinetry using raw (not laminated) MDF board. You can then paint the cabinetry yourself or have professionals paint it for you.

We highly recommend Purpaint (call Daniel on 0418 547 260). We have worked with Purpaint for many years and they are as committed to high customer service and beautiful cabinetry as we are! Once you have scheduled your installation, simply call Purpaint and they will arrange for painting to occur shortly after.

Can I supply my own handles?

Yes. For hinged doors, you can supply the handles or knobs on the day of installation and we will install them at no extra charge.

To see the range of handles and knobs that we keep in stock, please see the WT Hardware catalogue.

What payments do you accept?

We accept bank transfers or Visa / Mastercard payments.

To pay via card, call our office on (03) 9793 8233

Does the wardrobe or new carpet go first?

It is generally recommended to install the wardrobe first and then the carpet. This ensures a clean edge around the wardrobe and makes changing the carpet in future easier with none laid underneath the wardrobe. Having said that, its no problem at all to install your new wardrobe on top of your existing carpet!

What about timber or floating flooring?

For timber or floating flooring, it is best to install the flooring first. This allows the wardrobe to sit on top of the flooring, providing a clean edge and no need for the layer to put beading against the edge to hide expansion joints.

Do you remove my existing cabinetry?

Yes, we offer wardrobe removal if required. Our team will carefully dismantle and remove your old wardrobe before installing your new one. If it is a large removal, we will generally come two days before installation of your new wardrobe so that we can confirm measurements of the space and amend your new custom wardrobe, otherwise we will do it on the day. There can be some damage to plaster walls and paint as a result of removal – this can either be patched and painted by you after installation, or you can opt for a full carcass wardrobe to hide the walls. We love the look and longevity of a full carcass wardrobe but it is more expensive – discuss your options during your design visit!

What do we do about powerpoints?

You should discuss your specific case with your design rep. If there are powerpoints within the area where the cabinetry will be installed, we can often pull them through and secure them to the new cabinetry if there is sufficient slack in the cord. Alternatively, you will need to organise an electrician to disconnect or remove it – this is a simple job but if you need a recommendation of a good one we can provide one!

What stage of my build should I engage with you?

We can only attend your house once the plaster is up so we can measure up the space and provide real advice and an accurate quote. We can however provide rough estimates over the phone – if you send through your plans and design thoughts to info@almara.com.au, one of our design reps will give you a call to go through the process and provide an indicative cost.

How do you manage around a cornice or skirt?

Our experienced installers are skilled at working around cornices and there are several options. Normally, for full carcass cabinets, we will cut around the cornice, while for standard exposed back and sides wardrobes we will create a small cutout for the board to slide into and gap fill around it. Both of these solutions result in a sturdy installation and clean finish.

What type of drawer runners do you use?

We make thousands of drawers each year so we’ve tried a few runners over the years and have found the Hettich Quaddro soft close undermount runners to be the best quality available. An undermount runner like this allows for a full melamine drawer box, which in our view is more appropriate for a wardrobe than the metal sided runners often found in kitchens. We can also offer runners without soft-close if you are more budget-conscious, but we personally think it is money well spend to finish off your high-quality custom cabinetry in the way it deserves!

What suppliers do you use for your board?

Most importantly, we will never use cheap imported board or products that are not made from certified, responsibly sourced wood. We are a sustainable Australian manufacturer and support suppliers with the same focus wherever possible. Our main suppliers are Polytec and Laminex, who are two manufacturers that meet these standards and offer wide and high quality ranges. There are many smaller producers that produce some excellent quality laminates or veneers that we can also specify if you have found a finish that you love or are matching to existing cabinetry.