Remodeling your kitchen? What can you expect?

Rendering provided by custom cabinet company

If you are remodeling a kitchen and you are using custom or semi-custom cabinetry, expect to leave a deposit with your design firm when you order. They may also require a retainer prior to ordering,  so they can assist in designing and pricing your kitchen. Retainers are generally fully applied toward the initial payment. There are two popular formats followed by most companies. They are 50/40/10 and 40/50/10. What does that mean to you? It means that you will be expected to leave a 50% deposit when ordering, a 40% payment when the cabinetry is delivered, and 10% on completion or substantial completion. The term "substantial completion" is something you should understand. Many companies will expect the final payment on substantial completion. This means that the project is substantially complete, possibly missing a knob or a piece of molding. It is unfair to hold back thousands of dollars for a small item. However, if the company is not reliable, this payment system can cause undue heartache for the consumer. Since the company has received virtually all of their funds, there is no monetary incentive for them to return. This is why it is important for you to make sure you are dealing with a company with a good reputation. 

How can you determine if the company has a good reputation?

The first place to look is their relationship with NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). Members are supposed to keep to the standards of the NKBA. Secondly, look at your local BBB for advice. Most importantly, talk to your friends. If you know of someone who has had a kitchen remodel, ask them about their experience. Lastly, use your "gut" feelings! If you feel uncomfortable at all during the initial presentation, do not go forward.

What should you expect before you make a buying decision?

 Your designer should be able to give you a clear vision of what he or she can do for you as well as a price range for the project. Giving the designer a budget is the best way for you to lead your designer toward the best products and design for you.

What you should NOT expect before making a buying decision.

You should not expect to receive drawings. Sadly, the kitchen industry has lagged behind many of the professional industries, such as architects. You would never expect an architect to produce drawings prior to engaging him or her in the form of payment. If your designer is a good designer, he or she should not be expected to work for free. You should also not expect someone to come to your home without some sort of compensation. The free trip just might be an indication of a company not being sure of themselves. 

What do you need to know in order to make a buying decision?

Interestingly enough, making a buying decision is easy if you have the answers to all the questions required to make that decision. Often, designers fail to offer all the answers. This is why it can be frustrating for you, the consumer, to make an educated choice. Here is what you should look for.

1. Does the company have a good reputation?

   
   

   If you do not know about the company, do some research. Look at their online testimonials. The company is the most important factor in deciding where to make your investment. For example, if the company has a reputation for delays, or worse yet does not follow up on details, do you want to invest with them? The best designer working for a company with a bad reputation can be a disaster. If there is a catastrophic problem, can the company back up the designer? If there is an expensive problem, can the company afford to make things right? Here are just a few potential problems that we have seen over the years.

   
   

        a. Cabinet color or style ordered wrong by the designer

   
   

        b. Cabinet manufacturer makes the cabinetry in the wrong color or style by mistake

   
   

        c. Designer measures wrong and some cabinetry does not fit

   
   

        d. Designer does not order enough molding to finish the job

   
   

        e. Designer does not take care to assure that all appliances will fit properly

   
   

   These are just a few of the potential problems that can arise. Make sure the company you deal with can afford, and will be willing, to make things right in the event of an expensive problem.

2. Does the designer have the capability of doing the project properly?

   
   

   The designer should have some schooling. Ask to see credentials. Look at their portfolio. They should have before and after photos of projects they have managed. Also ask for referrals. Most importantly, ask for at least one referral where there were problems. The character of a company is measured by what they do when there is a problem.

3. Does the company have products you like?

   
   

   Before going too far, make sure the company has products you like. If there is nothing available in the style or price range you are comfortable with, don't waste your time or theirs

4. Will the project fit your budget?

   
   

   Don't be bashful. The biggest waste of time is when consumers hide their budget. If you give your budget to a reputable firm, you can be assured that you will receive the best value for your investment. If you have no idea what to budget, ask! Your designer should be able to give you reliable price range estimates on your project on the first meeting. This ability is the sign of a seasoned pro!

A true functional kitchen is much more difficult to design. The designer must get to know you and your family habits. The designer must know if you are right or left handed, the type of cooking you do, how you shop, how many will be in the kitchen, and so forth. The designer must take inventory of the types of things you will store in your kitchen as well as the "style" of entertaining. This is not a fast process, but it is well worth the time spent. A good designer is not easy to find. When you find one, don't get cheap and try and find a less expensive solution. You will save money and value in the long run with a good designer.

Not all certified designers are qualified. It is your responsibility to ask the right questions in order to make sure you are working with someone who is capable of producing the perfect kitchen for you.

It is critical to choose a good designer, and as I mentioned, the NKBA is a great resource. (I have no affiliation with the NKBA.)

 A seasoned professional should be able to give you an accurate price range for your project on your first visit if...

1. You have a set of floor plans for your new construction project 2. You have plans for your remodeling project.

If a designer is worth his or her salt, he or she should be able to give you a fairly accurate price range based on the different offerings they have available to you.

Lastly, do not be afraid of giving your designer your budget. A good designer cannot work with you without a budget. Once you give your designer a budget, he or she should be able to steer you in the direction of the products and design that will complement your budget.

Think about it for a minute... Would you go to an architect to have a house plan drawn up without telling him or her a budget range for the house? Of course not. The same is true with designing a kitchen The same kitchen can be designed in price ranges that would amaze you. If you don't trust your designer enough to give a budget range, one of two things is wrong. Either you have not spent enough time with the designer for him or her to earn your trust, or they are not trustworthy based on your evaluation. Either way, trust is critical.

Sometimes, we have NO idea what a budget range could be. I recall having someone over to build a custom piece of furniture not long ago. Based on my significant knowledge of the cabinetry industry, I had a rough idea of what the item would cost. It was about double what I had anticipated. Why?? The work was all done locally - not in a factory. A factory has a huge advantage of scale of production to lower labor and material costs. If you are unsure, ask your designer to give you rough budget ranges to think about.

The scoop on cabinetry

Cabinetry today is better than ever. The quality of the finishes is superb. The hardware is exceptional. For the most part, it is safe to select cabinetry based on the style and price range you are comfortable with. Years ago, it was very important to pay attention to the brand of cabinetry. Finish qualities and hardware systems varied greatly. That is not the case today. The luxury end cabinet lines are often overbuilt, and you pay for unimportant features. Think about the features offered and convert them into benefits for you.

Custom verses Stock cabinetry or Semi custom cabinetry

Custom cabinetry is generally a luxury. Keep in mind, the cost is significant, and a good designer can often give you a similar look with semi-custom cabinetry. Stock cabinetry will be the least expensive, as it is generally warehoused. Your designer should assist you in selecting the right type of cabinetry for you.

This is what I have discovered over the past 10 years or so. The Semi Custom cabinetry lines are built as well (for the most part) as the factory made custom cabinets. I believe this is where you get the most bang for the buck. If you can find a style and finish you like in a semi-custom cabinet, that is what I would recommend.

IMPORTANT:

I feel we should have a short discussion on locally made custom cabinetry. Some local shops do not have the ability to provide a catalytic or conversion varnish. In my opinion, that type of topcoat is critical. An accidental swipe with a mild solvent on locally made cabinetry may remove the finish if it is not a catalytic or conversion varnish. Catalytic or conversion varnishes are solvent proof. Do check, if you are considering local cabinetry, to see what kind of finish they use. Also, consider where you live. Yes, where you live can impact the quality of the cabinetry. If you live in a high humidity area, the raw wood might expand after the cabinetry is built, or it might shrink if you keep the air conditioning on. It is important that the local fabricator make sure they are using the proper amount of care with regard to moisture content in the wood.