Your Squarefeet
Kitchen Remodeling Secrets
Kitchen Remodeling Secrets
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Who's Who in the
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling world.
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling world.
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Kitchen Cabinet Dealers / Showrooms
Kitchen and Bath dealers generally have Showrooms. These dealers typically carry 3-4 different cabinet lines, (although some cabinets lines may be exclusive to certain dealers). They may or may not employ their own installers, it is up to you to find out - it can make a world of difference to you.
They also typically have Designers on staff that are CKD's, (Certified Kitchen Designers), by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, (NKBA). Most CKD's will charge a Design Fee for their work, which considering the investment you are about to make in your home, is worth every penny.If you wind up purchasing both cabinetry, other products, and installations from a Kitchen and Bath Dealer/Showroom, they should handle your Contract under Home Improvement rules and licenses, and insurances. Upon Contract, Kitchen and Bath Dealers that provide installations will ask for a 33% deposit of the total contract, the maximum they can by law. This money basically protects them against the Owner defaulting on the Contract once the non-refundable order is placed to the kitchen cabinet company. On the other hand, if you only purchase materials such as cabinetry and/or countertops, they are not bound by Home Improvement rules about deposits, so you will want to check what their particular pay schedules are for just products. Most will ask for 50% down and 50% upon delivery.
Most Kitchen and Bath Dealer/Showrooms pride themselves on doing the entire Kitchen Remodeling Project. The reason is, it gives them total control. Good Designers are typically very possessive and particular by nature, and they naturally pair up with good Contractors who care equally about the quality work they do. This is probably the best scenario for a Kitchen Remodeling project.
There are also Design and Build companies that handle typical Kitchen Remodeling projects just the same as standard Kitchen and Bath Showrooms, but with an even bigger advantage on the construction end. They have the ability to do large renovations, modifications, or additions to the home, as well as provide the Design work.
Big Box Stores
These stores have a section for kitchen design and sales. The Kitchen layout service is typically free and the stock cabinets are inexpensive. There is no requirement that their "designers" are certified, that I know of. As a matter of fact, I don't believe they even refer to them as designers. You definitely get what you pay for. Since the stock sizes are very limited in the really inexpensive lines, you may have to sacrifice symmetry,design, and convenience.
The biggest downfall of the inexpensive lines is the drawer glides and the vinyl decal exposed ends. Generally, you cannot get full depth shelves in the base cabs, and the basic construction may be thinner particle boards and hardwoods. Just keep in mind how much use your kitchen is going to get over how many years you're going to be using this essential room. These places do sometimes carry semi-custom, but then they come up against the price points of Kitchen and Bath Dealers. You would do well to compare them to Kitchen and Bath Dealers/Showrooms if you are considering semi-custom cabinets.
The "Big Box" stores can ask for 100% of total cabinet costs up front. The law doesn't include them as Home Improvement Contractors since they don't have their own employees for installations. These places generally have a list of "jobbers", (installers), that they hire - therefore they are not bound by the Home Improvement Commission rules of deposits or other boundaries. As a bonus, since they are not directly installing anything, they don't have to be responsible to any home improvement governing agencies, regulations, or hold any licenses or insurances as do General Contractors on a job. If there is a problem with your Design, you do not have the NKBA to fall back on, or the Big Box itself since they are not referring to their sales associates as Designers. If there is a problem with your installations, you will have to deal with the Big Box plus the Jobber they have hired for a solution. Some other firms besides the Big Boxes use Jobbers.
The biggest downfall of the inexpensive lines is the drawer glides and the vinyl decal exposed ends. Generally, you cannot get full depth shelves in the base cabs, and the basic construction may be thinner particle boards and hardwoods. Just keep in mind how much use your kitchen is going to get over how many years you're going to be using this essential room. These places do sometimes carry semi-custom, but then they come up against the price points of Kitchen and Bath Dealers. You would do well to compare them to Kitchen and Bath Dealers/Showrooms if you are considering semi-custom cabinets.
The "Big Box" stores can ask for 100% of total cabinet costs up front. The law doesn't include them as Home Improvement Contractors since they don't have their own employees for installations. These places generally have a list of "jobbers", (installers), that they hire - therefore they are not bound by the Home Improvement Commission rules of deposits or other boundaries. As a bonus, since they are not directly installing anything, they don't have to be responsible to any home improvement governing agencies, regulations, or hold any licenses or insurances as do General Contractors on a job. If there is a problem with your Design, you do not have the NKBA to fall back on, or the Big Box itself since they are not referring to their sales associates as Designers. If there is a problem with your installations, you will have to deal with the Big Box plus the Jobber they have hired for a solution. Some other firms besides the Big Boxes use Jobbers.
Appliance & Plumbing Vendors
Some of the big plumbing vendors in the market, like Fergusen, now carry kitchen cabinet lines also. Some of these cabinet lines are produced by the plumbing manufacturers.
Some larger appliance vendors have also joined in on kitchen cabinet sales as well.
We always suggest you make sure you are dealing with a Certified Kitchen Designer or Certified Bath Designer.
Some of the big plumbing vendors in the market, like Fergusen, now carry kitchen cabinet lines also. Some of these cabinet lines are produced by the plumbing manufacturers.
Some larger appliance vendors have also joined in on kitchen cabinet sales as well.
We always suggest you make sure you are dealing with a Certified Kitchen Designer or Certified Bath Designer.
CKD - Certified Kitchen Designers
Individual Kitchen Designers, CKD, or small Kitchen Design firms may also sell cabinets in conjunction with their design skills. They usually are loyal to a particular custom cabinet line or a local cabinet maker. They should, of course, belong to the NKBA and adhere to the rules and regulations. They may recommend a Contractor for the Remodeling itself or work together with the Contractor as a Project Manager. Our opinion is it's always best to keep the Designer involved throughout the project to complete the vision.
Individual Kitchen Designers, CKD, or small Kitchen Design firms may also sell cabinets in conjunction with their design skills. They usually are loyal to a particular custom cabinet line or a local cabinet maker. They should, of course, belong to the NKBA and adhere to the rules and regulations. They may recommend a Contractor for the Remodeling itself or work together with the Contractor as a Project Manager. Our opinion is it's always best to keep the Designer involved throughout the project to complete the vision.
Interior Designers
There are a lot of great Interior Designers, but unless they are specifically trained with a CKD, Certified Kitchen Designer degree, from the NKBA they should refer you to a Kitchen Designer for that part of the design. The intricacies of Kitchen design are never ending. Every fraction of an inch counts in Kitchen Design, and if you're not totally familiar with the way cabinets are built, something like a full overlay door opening on a 45 corner can be a nightmare.
Beyond that, new products and how they perform as well as who are good manufacturers and installers are key to getting the most out of a Kitchen professional. Have your Interior Designer coordinate with your Kitchen Designer for Material Selections.
Beyond that, new products and how they perform as well as who are good manufacturers and installers are key to getting the most out of a Kitchen professional. Have your Interior Designer coordinate with your Kitchen Designer for Material Selections.
Hardware Stores & Lumber Yards
These stores have been carrying kitchen cabinets for years, particularly in rural areas.They usually carry the local cabinet company, but now many of the franchises carry the national stock brands. Service all depends on local management.
These stores have been carrying kitchen cabinets for years, particularly in rural areas.They usually carry the local cabinet company, but now many of the franchises carry the national stock brands. Service all depends on local management.
Carpenters/Handymen
The trusty carpenter who has done many things around your home- even built that beautiful basement. Now he wants you to trust him with the Kitchen. If you don't take any other advice from this website, just take this - HIRE A CKD DESIGNER. If you can , hire this Designer to do Project Management also. This is a big investment in your home, in the most used Room in your Home.
Yourself
Let's say you have decided that you can do it all, especially since you are replacing the cabinets with the same exact sizes, so you can't possibly do a bad design.
Stop a minute and take a second look. A good designer can review the same space and suggest different design solutions that may make the space work more efficiently or incorporate an unused space like the Dining Room into a more Open Plan concept. Whatever the solution, it is worth the Design investment for the potential of the Home.
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Stop a minute and take a second look. A good designer can review the same space and suggest different design solutions that may make the space work more efficiently or incorporate an unused space like the Dining Room into a more Open Plan concept. Whatever the solution, it is worth the Design investment for the potential of the Home.
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