Kraftmaid Cabinetry

Leo G

You shouldn't have to rack a cabinet to get it into square, it should be square all by itself.

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

jkfox624

Lol the last kraftmaid kitchen we installed the face frame on the ez reach and the next cabinet didnt line up real well. So i was doing the put your thumb on the one thats proud and your other fingers behind the shy one to try to convince them to line up. Helper didnt even get a chance to get the clamp rdy and the whole face frame came off the ez reach. Ended up on my ass with a face full of exploded particleboard. But typically they're good enough for the app they're used in. In a day you can take a dog turd kitchen and make it look nice for 10-15 yrs. Wouldnt use em in my house though.

skyhook

I used KM in this kitchen. I sprung for the "All Plywood Construction" and true to their word, no PB or MDF throughout. Went together perfect.

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chileab

Yes everything should be perfect in a perfect world. I don't live there. My point was that of all the cabinet brands I have installed for major retail stores, Kraftmaid was the one with the best record for not needing replacement cabinets.(due to finish or construction, etc.) It is not that I don't have some issues with any aspect of their (or any, national brand) construction - It is the brand I would have used if given a choice. I would probably go with Medallion these days.

I have only installed two sets of cabinets from custom shops - and there was a problem with both of them. Should I make of this that all their work was crap? No. I think not. Mistakes are made by all of us.

Leo G

I get upset when my cabinets are 1/32" out of square. 1/4" OOS would drive me insane, even it you could rack it back to square. Just shouldn't be. If you have a bazzilion dollars worth of machinery to mass produce cabinets, set the stuff up so it produces square cabinets.

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

macatawacab

Been a Kmaid dealer off and on since 85.

just installed a kitchen last week and have to get 4 new doors. hinges out of place on an EZ reach wall fold over and two doors had blemishes finished over of the corners. One was a gouge with a bad filler job on the corner from the factory, the other was a corner chunk missing but still factory finished over.

not what they used to be.

chileab

Yes - I know the feeling - After the 100th kitchen though I lowered my standards of what to expect of them - and increased my expectations of what to expect of myself - in being able to take whatever was thrown at me and make it look good.

Standards can change - and folks like you help keep those standards high for remodeling - keep up the good work. Around here it is a bit difficult - what with people expecting complete kitchen remodels for $8,000 to $12,000.00. But I do my best. Can't give invisible joints for butt joint prices.

BCConstruction

I have been looking for cabinets for a house i just bought and to my surprise the Shenandoah cabinets were the best combination of quality vs cost. I priced many brands and just as an example the kraftmaid version of the exact same kitchen was more than double the price for a lower spec cabinet. The Shenandoah's also come with a free upgrade of soft close, Premium finish and upto 30% off final price.

Roberts Ren

BC what part of VA are you in I can make you a deal if you havent already ordered :-)

BCConstruction

I'm in Roanoke Rob. Send me a PM and let me know what ya can do. I ain't ordered it yet just priced it. I also have there cabinet list quote so i can send that over for cabinet sizing and type.

Cheers

KG007

I'm too far away to help you, but price Armstrong. Probably better cabinet, allwood option is CHEAP and has specials on dovetails, etc. right now. If you want me to ballpark them send me a private message (I can't figure out how on here) and I'll give you a fax number.

Gus Dering

I'd love to see what kind of a remodel can happen for that type of coin. Seeings how a new fridge and stove will eat half that at least.

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WarnerConstInc.

Cheapest one I have done, 6 bases, 6 uppers with panels and a bunch of screwing around was about 10k. It looked good but, anything was better than what was there before.
I gave up on that kind of crap last year, unless you are a previous customer, then I bite my lip and charge the crap out of you!!

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BCConstruction

The range i looked at cost about $3500 for 10 cabinets and they all had soft close, premium finish, solid plywood sides, and things like pot and pan organizers pull out equipment baskets, pull out waste baskets and so on. That price also include the soapstone laminate with finished beveled edges. The Kraftmain version was about $8000 for the exact same setup.

KG007

Hey, you wouldn't believe what people around here expect us to do a kitchen for. One lady wanted a decent size kitchen totally re-done, including tearing out soffit, floor, counter, paint, electrical, everything including cherry cabinets for $3,000. She didn't expect us to do appliances for that - how nice of her.

I've actually put together a set-price package for an "average" kitchen of $13,995. Up to 12 cabinets, give them a choice of about 2 dozen styles, laminate counter, sink, faucet, up to 200 SF vinyl floor using Armstrong StrataMax, 4 appliances incl. smooth surface stove and ice maker, drywall patching, baseboard, casing replaced/repaired as needed, paint, new light fixtures. If everything goes well we make 20-30%. Most people want upgrades, so it might turn into a $20K job.

Still, amazes me when a huge percentage of people have their head explode when they think $13,995 is, quote WAY TOO HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!! unquote as they run away with their head on fire and their butt catching.

Leo G

Heck, $13K is about as low as I go just for cabinets installed, no countertop, appliances, maybe some molding if they ask nice.

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Custom Cabinets in Hartford County Connecticut

macatawacab

13K ??

How much is that per square foot

KG007

Wish I could take you along to tell prospects that! In our old location about 2/3 of the people would run screaming at the price. Moved the store in August to Lexington (just 13 miles from the town Iwas in) and only get about 1/4 who catch fire, probably another 25-40% who probably THINK that but don't say it, and the rest often go "oh, that's not too bad..."

STILL not getting many to close because people just don't want to part with serious bucks.

Typically, we use Armstrong StrataMax vinyl ($12.99/SY retail), fiberock underlayment, 3/4 x 3/4 quarter round painted or oak and stained. WilsonArt laminate top in a standard or premium color (HD is an upgrade) with self-edge. (Beveled, etc., is an upgrade.) Good quality stainless sink, my fabricator often throws that in. We template the top, so it is custom. Anything else is an upgrade on the sink. Delta faucet like Palo or Saxony in chrome or stainless. Semi-flush ceiling light and maybe a pendant over the sink, often in nickel. Electrician usually has to put in a couple plugs, including 1-2 GFI's, and maybe a switch or two. Usually have to replace a piece or two of base, or just change all the base is easier. Painting is really a pretty big expense. I have a great paint crew, but he ain't cheap! Use Coronado paint, have a promotional deal with the store next door. Drywall patching is the paint crew unless have something more, then get in my drywall crew, which is relatively cheap. The paint is top end.

Appliance package in black or white, lady at H H Gregg has put together a free-standing stove, smooth surface, fridge with icemaker, dishwasher, usually an over-the-stove self-venting microwave. Most appliances are Fridgidaire, usually about two steps up from the builder minimum crap, so people who are excited about this kind of remodel really like it, feel they are getting good value, not the "cheap crap minimum." Total cost for appliances with sales tax is around $1,350 +/-. (Same with the vinyl/lights/faucets being a couple steps up - doesn't cost much more and performs/looks worlds better than builder grade gabarge.) Stainless appliances are an upgrade. Larger fridge, etc., is an upgrade. I make maybe 5% on appliances, just do that to offer a "complete package." They are actually a thorn in my side. Same with the faucets, except I make 20-25%. Plumbers can be expensive, so anything other than just re-hooking up the sink and D/W is extra, and I add 20-25%.

Offer maybe two dozen cabinet styles. Max of 12 cabinets at the package price, more cabinets are extra. Basic cabinets, including a lazy susan, but no roll-out shelves or waste basket bases or anything like that without an upcharge. Usually include a diagional wall cabinet instead of blind corners, which I hate. Try to point them to Armstrong, which I really like for low-mid range. Anything in thermofoil (which I hate), "plantation hardwood" (which I like and are a really good buy for the money), alder, oak, or birch. That's 10 styles, but 50 combinations or style/species/color. Also have 6 styles in a knock-down (best knock-downs I could find, but still knock-downs), a builder line, and two brands where we can do the lower priced cabinets. I try to not even go to these other brands, customer service is a giant PIA and not as good quality cabinet for the money.

Unless someone is picking the most expensive of everything and trying to get over on me I upgrade them to the allwood option without telling them about it. Adds maybe 3-5% to the cost of cabinets, but well worth it.

I thought this was a great value and I'd be swamped with prospects. Apparently, the people who could most take advantage of this don't understand what a good value it is and still don't want to spend the money. Did just finish one makeover today, started with this package when we first met, is going to wind up about $21K with them picking and paying for their own appliances on top of that. The lady picked pink for the paint color - not a little pink, but Pepto-Bismo. The job went great, they are fantastic people, and she is "tickled pink!"

Pretty much proves I have no idea what people are really thinking or want, but if I can have a serious conversation with a person who really wants to do a job they usually trust us and it can lead to good business. Good luck to everyone digging for clients. I have had some people get interested in kitchens because of seeing the promotion, but immediately make it clear they want more. So you never know!

Gencon

Wow, some huge price differences once you go south of the 49th!

I do the tear out and rebuild for a local kitchen instal company who deals with Kraftmaid out of Winnepeg, Manitoba. I like to be around for the install incase I need to adjust something. I do about 8-10 kitchens a year for over 3 years now.
As far as square cabinets goes, I have never seen a problem. The only issues I see is there seem to be a lot of dings and dents in the finished surfaces. Customers have to wait 6 weeks for new pieces.

Pretty well every kitchen gets a granite counter top and I end up reflooring the kitchen, foyer, powder room, hall etc, with new porcelain tiles on Ditra, new appliances, and plumbing, a bunch of potlights and some LED under cabinet lighting. Havent seen one come in at less than $45,000. Cabinets are usually around $20-25k, counter about 5.

We do a wide range of areas, so it not always a high end thing. People expect to pay that for a new kitchen, especially if its a remodel with walls moving around.

Mind you, we pay $11.97 for an 8x4 sheet of 1/2" drywall, plus taxes at most places, including Home Despot.

LivinTheDream

Boy, am I glad you piped up! I was beginning to think I was in Never Never land here in Portland or something. Pricing up here in the PNW (in the metro area) is more like your area.

We tell our clients at the initial interview that to gut and replace everything in a kitchen is a $50,000 plus proposition... perhaps less if no walls are coming down, appiances and plumbing aren't relocating, and if they choose vinyl floors and laminate counters. Most around here are looking for granite or engineered stone counters and hardwood or tile floors. Because so many kitchens are open to a family room (which gets updated at the same time), our typical kitchen job is in the $70,000 to $80,000 range. And that's independent of the cost of developing the design and construction docs.