QUESTION FOR Kitchen Contractors

benseas

For the Pros..

Im a basement GC in VA.
1. What is the best way to get in to the kitchen remodeling business?
2. Where can I get a discount on the cabinets I buy??????
3. What is the best software to design the layout?
4. Do you really need a show room?
5. Do you tell the customer just buy your own cabinets from HD or Lowes?


Thanks for your input!!

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Lifestyle Solutions LLC
www.LSScontractor.com

KentWhitten

1. Contact as many local kitchen supply places as possible. Many sub out their installs.
2. You can buy RTA cabinets all over the internet....if you want to. You also have the option of building your boxes yourself and buying the doors, which works out nicely too.
3. This is subjective. many around here use 2020, but expect to pay a whopper of a price for it. I use something else. You can use AutoCAD LT if you want, but some people like the 3d stuff.
4. Not really, but it depends on the customer. If you tailor your business to people who don't really need the cabinets in front of them, then you're all set.
5. Hell no.

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Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

Stone Mountain

Please see
http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/i-need-help-25404/

That should help.

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DesPro

I see on your website kitchens and baths portfolio, that these are some of your specialties . Very nice work I might add .

That being said , it just puzzles me why you would ask these questions ?

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ChrWright

There are far too many builders/contractors who believe they have the ability to design. Some do... Most don't.

My advice to you would be to find a talented kitchen designer and establish a two way relationship of referrals. You may have to send a kitchen their way first to get the ball rolling.

If you work with a kitchen distributor, most don't charge for the design since they are providing the cabinets. (design fees are included in their markup)

I have installed kitchens from Lowes and kitchens from shops as far away as Italy. Your homeowners budget will drive what kind of cabinets you use and where you get them from. If it's the low end, I am completely comfortable in sending them to Lowes to view cabinets, species, colors, etc. Most of the kitchen folks at the home centers are "average" when it comes to putting together a kitchen design. You'll find a few here and there with moderate talent.

The least headache, lowest overhead model is to be the builder and let the designers/showrooms send you their clients. Kitchens are by far the most complex parts of a house to remodel--with an incredible number of decisions and details that blend together to create a quality finished product. It's best to specialize in what you do best--building things--and leave the design to those in that specialty.

There are exceptions to every rule certainly. I have designed more than a few kitchens--but it was only after having worked with a very talented designer for a number of years that I felt reasonably comfortable doing so.

If you truly wish to get into the design side, I would suggest taking classes from the NKBA, and attend a few of their trade shows. Achieving the status of a certified kitchen & bath designer won't necessarily mean you can design beautiful kitchens---but at least you'll know the rules and how they're supposed to be put together.

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Christopher Wright, CR: President @ WrightWorks, LLC/President @ Central Indiana NARI, Named to the 2010 REMODELING Big50
www.WrightWorks.net - Facebook - Twitter - Carmel Remodeling
Indianapolis Kitchen Remodeling Contractor - You Can Get There From Here

A.W.Davis

When I am talking with clients interested in a kitchen remodel I send them to a few local cabinet design centers where they can speak with the designers and pick out a cabinet design and finish. I will not submit an estimate until they have a cabinet design/layout made (this also lets me know they are serious about the remodel and arent wasting my time fishing for prices!) Also, I dont pay for the kitchen design and wont waste my time to draw anything for the homeowner as fas as the cabinet design is involved, thats between my designers at the cabinet design center and my client.

If you are wanting to get cabinet design software the 20/20 program is the best around in my opinion (and probably the most expensive)
http://www.2020technologies.com/frmP...s.aspx?id=2726

As far as purchasing cabinets, my clients purchase everything they need......I dont spend one cent on any cabinet material.

And lastly if you plan on doing upscale/high end kitchen remodels please do us a favor and dont ever ever send them to Lowes or Home Depot !!!

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A.W. Davis Construction Co.
http://www.awdavisconstruction.com/
Your friendly remodeling contractor

benseas

Thanks. We mostly do basement remodels but we have picked up other projects from our customers.

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Lifestyle Solutions LLC
www.LSScontractor.com

JackiTrades

I would not worry about a showroom these days.
What Davis said is true. Create a relationship with a few Designers/Cabinet makers and let them do the first part of the walking. Saves time and money, and you can stick to your end of it.

If the kitchen remodel is going to be mid to low end and they want cheap cabs, go to the contractor services at Menards. They will sign you as a contractor and help you and the HO with all the particulars. Menards here does that, and man is that helpful. Once that's done, the product gets ordered. I still double check the measurements and any thing that was not noticed though.

There is no amount of double measuring and eye viewing from the installers perspective that anyone else can compete with. You can see what may be a problem ahead of everyone else if you have installed cabs before, and allow for it ahead of time.

Example: I found a soffit built in a pantry cabinet, incorrect measurements for appliances and a slope in a wall that was more then 3" off where they wanted to change the existing layout. All of these things will usually only be noticed by the experienced installer. Extra costs and time not accounted for can really screw things up.