Want to know more about the best hardware styles of flat-panel cabinetry? Take a look at this Houzz.com article: [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4146060/list/Top-9-Hardware-Styles-for-Flat-Panel-Kitchen-Cabinets w=300]
Check out this Houzz.com article on new kitchen tables and islands in one: [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/238800/list/Take-a-Seat-at-the-New-Kitchen-Table-Island w=300]
Kohler has a site where you can take their sinks and faucets and change them out in a viewer to see the combinations of styles and colors together. This site also features all the colors of Silestone countertops. www.kohlerkitchenplanner.com
Learn more about contractors and contracts in this Houzz.com article: [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4393199/list/What-to-Look-for-in-a-Contractor-s-Contract w=300]
Cabinetry is a large, long lasting investment in your home. We all want value for our time and money and finding the right value for your project is a complex combination of numerous factors. Price is a trade off between competing factors. We recommend a process we call “Value Engineering”. This process works by integrating the design, engineering and budgeting process together. At STEVEN Cabinets we work directly with you or with your designer or architect during the design process. This gives you access to technical expertise, samples, photos and ideas upfront. Knowing your options and the costs of those options during the design phase helps you ”value engineer” your project .
Many people are disappointed if they wait until a design is “done” and then bid it, as they often miss the mark on budget and aren’t aware of all the possibilities or technical challenges. The Value Engineering process saves time, design costs, avoids disappointment and achieves the best possible outcome.
Below are some of the things to consider when making decisions that affect value.
Aesthetics - This includes style, finish, wood species and optional accessories. Is the installation seamless without gaps and fillers?
Quality- Do the slides and hinges close smoothly and softly? Is the joinery seamless and quality materials used in the right way? Is the finish lustrous and silky smooth to the touch? Is the finish catalyzed and UV resistant to minimize fading? What is the warranty?
Durability - Cabinets get dings and scratches and have moving parts that need to function smoothly through years of use. Check material thickness and joinery. What are the weight tolerances on the slides? Are the accessories solid metal and wood or lightweight plastic and wire? See our article “Cabinetry 101“ for what to look for in cabinetry construction.
Service –Is communication clear and documented so you understand what is included? What is the reputation for on time delivery and respect for your home during installation? Will the company be there to service the product and stand behind their warranty? Ask for past client references.
Options- Adding pull-outs, moldings, glass, glazing, etc. will make a huge difference in price. Some accessories add to conveniences, some to aesthetics.
Price- If you have a set budget, make sure to identify the priority of the above considerations up front. To achieve a different price, any of the above items can be altered. Remember, you typically get what you pay for. A price that seems too good to be true probably is not a value in the end. Large discrepancies in prices from different companies are usually an indicator of unclear specifications or trying to price a high quality product against a lower quality one.
We’d highly recommend checking out our “Tips on Estimates, Bids and Budgets” to help you further with getting started or contact one of our Project Managers for a no obligation initial review.
How do you get the best value when buying custom cabinetry? A good analogy is buying a new car. Everyone understands that cars come from different manufacturers at different prices with different levels of quality . No one asks for a blue cross-over with AWD from a Lexus dealer and thinks it will be the same price as from a Chevy dealer. Both have a car that fits that description, but everyone knows they are not the same and adding option packages can raise the price by 50% or more. This is true of other custom products like cabinetry. You can easily spend more on a new kitchen than a new car and you will want it to last for 20 years or more. Serious investigation is in order. Cabinets have a chassis, moving parts, accessories and finish. The detail and quality of each element adds to the price and the long term value. They will either appreciate or depreciate the value of your home over time.
Below are some tips to help you with the process.
TIP 1: Understand the choices. Custom and semi-custom are more indicators of available options rather than quality. There are high quality semi-custom manufacturers and poor quality custom manufacturers. Research who the “Lexus” dealers are and who the “Chevy” dealers are. Find out if they provide a range of products or just one level.
Tip 2: Establish a budget. Count the number of lineal feet of cabinets you are looking at. Custom prices can range from $250 to over $1000 per foot depending on the quality and level of detail. It will also vary depending on if you are buying direct or through a contractor or designer.
TIP 3: You would never spend the money for a new car without taking it for a test drive. It’s amazing how many people ask for bids on products they have never seen. Go to showrooms and open doors and drawers. Ask lots of questions. (see our Article on Cabinets 101 for what to ask) If the cabinetmaker doesn’t have a showroom, ask to see a jobsite.
TIP 4: Asking for an estimate at the beginning is like asking for a car’s base sticker price. Always ask for a range of what the options might be to see if it fits in a realistic budget.
TIP 5: Custom cabinetmakers who install their product only charge use tax on the materials. If they sell it to a contractor to install, you will be charged sales tax on the entire product including the manufacturing labor. The difference can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
TIP 6: If you are using a designer, architect or builder for your design and they don’t discuss budget along with the design options you are probably in for some surprises. There are wildly varying levels of expertise regarding cabinet design and budgets. (see our article on Value Engineering for help)
TIP 7: If you’ve done a design with a designer or builder, they will probably suggest bidding it. First, make sure their idea of a Lexus dealer is the same as yours. Second, make sure the details are very clear in the bid package as to the “accessories package” you are requesting. Otherwise, your bids may be like comparing a baseline Jeep to a fully loaded Mercedes.
Steven Cabinets is an official Glastender dealer! Glastender, Inc. is a Michigan-based commercial bar and home cocktail station manufacturer. They manufacture cocktail stations, sinks, stainless steel countertops, and more. You can see their full line and learn more at www.glastenderhome.com. As a dealer, we are able to provide you with all of your stainless steel countertop/cocktail station needs and work them directly into your project.
You can see our very own Glastender stainless steel countertop and cocktail station in our showroom:
