| As a custom cabinet maker, designer and installer, | | | | When I am dealing directly with the homeowner, I am |
| working for I have installed both my own custom | | | | able to get an idea of their wants, needs and function. |
| cabinetry and cabinets from contractors who | | | | Having designed, built and installed many a kitchen, I |
| purchased through home stores or direct from the | | | | have a great sense of what is practical and what will |
| manufacturers. | | | | just not work. I feel, that before you can design a |
| I have found that over 90% of my prefabricated | | | | kitchen, you need to have installed a few kitchens. |
| installations are flawed with either damaged, | | | | When I design a kitchen, I try to use all the space |
| misordered or incomplete ordered cabinets. In the | | | | available without compromising the ease of use. |
| prefab world there are large manufacturers who are | | | | Because my cabinetry is custom, I don't use fillers. My |
| supplying hundreds of kitchens a month. When there is | | | | cabinet uppers are at the ceiling without any space |
| a problem with an order, the customer usually waits | | | | beteween, voids or 6" fillers. True custom cabinetry is |
| and waits about six weeks before the order is | | | | always built to your specifications and not the some |
| corrected with a new shipment. In the meantime | | | | manufacturers suggested specs. |
| everything related to the kitchen install is on hold, such | | | | In building my custom cabinetry, I am able hand select |
| as; countertops, back splash, plumbing etc. Many | | | | straight and choice hardwood lumber to achive long |
| homeowners start to get frustrated at this point and | | | | lasting beauty. I use a strong 3/4" prefinished birch |
| begin to lose confidence in their contractor. | | | | plywood for my boxes with a 1/4" ply matching back. |
| Contractors who buy prefabricated cabinets don't | | | | My face frames are attached using wood glue |
| want you to know about these possible problems. | | | | (there's a reason it's "wood" glue and not "hot" |
| So why do contractors continue to buy these | | | | glue) and pocket hole jointery. I also make my toe |
| prefabs? Cost is the number one reason. I used to | | | | kicks separate from the cabinets, so they can |
| build custom cabinets for a large remodeling | | | | be leveled and plumbed with ease (granite installers |
| contractor, who, to save money started buying | | | | love us for this). When possible, I build several |
| prefabs. When I say "Save Money", I mean for the | | | | cabinets as one cabinet, rather than build separate |
| contractor. The contractor would mark these cabinets | | | | cabinets. This looks so much cleaner, without all the |
| up so high, that they were making a great profit and | | | | joint seams. I also install my cabinetry prefinished with |
| charging over custom prices. I have to admit, when | | | | a custom sprayed conversion varnish finish (top of the |
| these kitchens were finally done (months later) they | | | | line for wood finishes). With many finishes to choose |
| looked nice but the final cost, wow. | | | | from, you'll find the colors to fit your style. The choices |
| However, I installed these cabinets for them. I saw first | | | | we offer along with design advice gives our |
| hand how they were built and the materials used. | | | | customers confidence in their decisions. |
| These companies who I will not name, used materials | | | | I can incorporate turned legs, fluted columns and |
| like, 1/2" particle board with a simulated wood vinyl | | | | arches to bring out the beauty of a custom designed |
| veneer and 1/8" hardboard backs. The solid wood | | | | kitchen and make your vision a reality. It's your kitchen, |
| used, sometimes was so warped, you could make | | | | your living space and your home. Why would you turn |
| rocking chairs with it. They almost all, use hot glue and | | | | it over to a manufacturer to decide what you can or |
| corrugated staples to attach the face frame. We had | | | | can't have. Don't be limited with prefabricated |
| to be careful installing these delicate cabinets. Drop | | | | cabinetry. Let us design your kitchen to it's fullest |
| one, and they would most likely collapse. I think, that is | | | | potential. There's no better feeling than knowing you |
| why a complete shipment of these prefabs would | | | | got your monies worth! |
| always have one or two show up with some damage. | | | | I work with general contractors, who have the |
| Now, I know that these big manufacturers don't hand | | | | best reputations in the contracting community.This |
| select materials for there cabinets. They use what | | | | would not only save you money, but bring your |
| ever is in their lumber stock. They have to be price | | | | project together in a timely manner. I also work |
| effective, so materials and craftmanship play a big role | | | | independently. Visit our website to get some Ideas of |
| in their manufacturing process. Get them built as fast | | | | wood choice, finish or design. All the cabinets on our |
| as you can, with minimal cost, and deal with defects | | | | site can be incorporated into any kitchen. |
| later (much later). | | | | Through our website you can email us directly to get |
| Enough about the prefabricated, let me tell you a little | | | | advice or a free estimate. |
| bit about custom cabinetry. As I said in the beginning of | | | | Don't let prefabs turn your dream into a nightmare! |
| this article I am a custom builder and designer as well. | | | | |