1. Why shoud I use a kitchen designer?

2. Do you act as the project contractor?

3. Do you build the cabinets yourself?

4. What kinds of cabinets do you supply?

5. How can I find a good Lake Tahoe area contractor?

6. How do you compare to the big, home-improvement stores?

7. How does factory cabinetry compare to shop-made cabinets?

8. How much will my new kitchen cost?

9. How much could a total remodeling project cost?

10. What should I consider before deciding to do the work myself?

1. Why should I use a kitchen designer?

  Kitchen design is an expertise that even experienced architects and home builders routinely out source. Why? It's like trying to build a 1000-piece picture puzzle with a supply of 50,000 pieces. To be successful, It means following a very complex, exacting and intricate process.

  Add to the staggering number of choices available today, the requirements of the NKBA's (National Kitchen and Bath Association) 31 rules of kitchen design, and I've found that many clients simply get overwhelmed and very frustrated.

  Although there are hundreds of Kitchen Designers who have learned the basic industry standards, many don't have the experience to address the subtleties inherent in your lifestyle and desires. Even good designers, and custom cabinet makers, may not take the time to listen to your preferences but guide you toward a stock kitchen.

  Finally, good kitchen design must be a collaborative effort between you and the designer. You may be able to install the cabinetry yourself, (See FAQ above.) but you'll save time and money if you seek professional advice on your design. At the very least, if you are a do-it-yourselfer, look up the Rules at NKBA.com and apply them to your project.

  If you get frustrated and need help, please give me a call. I'd love to help you make the kitchen of your dreams a reality. To end up with a gorgeous "kitchen that works," is my dream for you!

2. Do you act as the contractor for the project?

  In practical terms, I function as the coordinator for most projects. I design the kitchen, bath or office, supply the cabinets, provide installation plans and on-site consultations.

  I'll advise and provide referrals for countertops, appliances, flooring, plumbing and lighting. For the actual tear-out, rebuild and cabinet installation, I can refer you to one of my contractor associates or work with your contractor. Without exception, the builders and installers I've worked with are very impressed with the quality of my cabinets and with the level of professional service, be it pre-construction, installation or follow-up.

3. Do you build the cabinets yourself?

  No, I am not a cabinetmaker, but you could consider me your link to many excellent cabinetmakers. On a daily basis, I collaborate with the engineers and production staff who are the experts. My time is spent in perfecting consultation, design and installation, not in fabrication.

  I've evaluated the quality, construction and customer service of many cabinet manufacturers over the past twenty years. After a rigorous comparison, I have selected five of the best companies as my suppliers. They can provide anything from the most basic stock cabinets, to custom cabinets for the most sophisticated projects.

4. What kinds of cabinetry do you supply?

  Anything and everything is the short answer.

  I spec and supply a variety of stock, semi-custom and custom factory-made cabinetry. I've worked for years with a small number of dependable manufacturers. Several are versatile, family-run operations that have grown over the years into major suppliers, DeWils & Hertco.

  I also work with another larger Iowa firm that specializes in high-end custom pieces, Omega.

  Two other firms that I use are national companies with regional facilities. Their economy-of-scale capacity produces a high-quality cabinet at a competitive price (Kemper, Aristocraft). I also consult with two local custom cabinetmakers when they are the best choice to meet your desires.

  NOTE: Competition among styles and species is keen in the cabinet business. The standard woods are oak, maple, alder, hickory, cherry and thermofoil laminates. Other species are available, along with innumerable combinations of door and finish styles.
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5. How can I find a good Lake Tahoe area contractor?

  Even though the local South Lake Tahoe phone book lists four pages of Building Contractors, I found that if you call ten, only five will call you back, two will show up and one will bid the job. It's even harder to find a contractor when you consider the good contractors stay busy solely on referrals and don't bother to advertise.

  So what is a successful strategy to find a reliable contractor?

  First, contact your Tahoe friends and neighbors who've gone through a remodel project and ask them for recommendations. Then, check with contractor sales departments in local lumber yards. Try to get a half-dozen names on your list. Or, call us, and we'll provide you with a referral to someone who handles your type of job and has an opening in their schedule.

The requirements for the contractors that I work with are:

• Their infrastructure and finish work is excellent.
• They return calls and show up on schedule.
• Their integrity is impeccable. 

6. How do you compare to the big, home-improvement stores?

  The only comparison that can be easily made is on price, and even on this basis things may not be what they seem. These generalist mega-stores tend to quote cabinets only and may ignore adding the essentials such as trim strips and molding that will be needed to complete the job. The customer must have the knowledge necessary to ask for these extras. Then, you can accurately compare prices between possible vendors.

  Yes, these suppliers are good at having thousands of products for instant purchase, but when it comes to the complicated, service-oriented aspects of room construction and cabinet installation, they're too big to provide the high-level of customer care you deserve.

7. How does factory cabinetry compare to shop-made cabinets?

  I'm totally confident that "modular" cabinetry that I use is as good, if not better, than the custom ones. Why? The typical custom-shop cabinet uses an MDF (particle board) cabinet box verses the solid plywood offered by my suppliers. Drawers from my vendors are typically of solid wood dovetail construction, whereas custom shops often use a multi-laminate, plywood edge-nailed design.

  But, it's in the finish where the big difference lies. The smaller custom shops offer a great looking lacquer or polyurethane, but unfortunately neither of these stand the test of time. The catalyzed-conversion varnish used by my suppliers, provide at least a 10-year, if not a lifetime, warranty. Moreover, the sophisticated, multi-step glazes and accents available from these modern facilities simply can't be duplicated at a local shop.

  Additionally, when comparing creativity, design skills and training, I offer superior integrated kitchen concept designs compared to vendors whose primary experience is in woodworking and cabinet assembly.

  Frankly, I'm amazed when I hear that clients of other kitchen and cabinetry vendors have spent tens of thousands of dollars and not received any advanced plans or have been furnished with plans that ignore industry-standard, design concepts.

  Over the past 20 years, I've attended numerous NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) and professional design classes. A decade of experience with the professional 20-20 CAD software allows me to help you visualize in detail all design options well before any cabinetry is ever built.

  My experience with the design and construction of hundreds of residential and commercial projects has taught me how to create beautiful interiors. Finally, as a busy professional and mom, I appreciate the value of beautiful "kitchens that work!"

8. How much will my new kitchen cost?

  The price of kitchens, baths or offices varies according to:

• The number of cabinets required for the size of the room.
• Construction quality of the cabinetry itself (drawer guides & box, case materials, etc.)
• The specie of wood, the type of finish and the door style.

  Of course, the number of bells and whistles you desire will also affect the price. Installation costs vary according to the complexity of the design and the sophistication of the finished look that you wish to achieve.

9. How much could a total remodeling project cost?

  That's a complex question indeed. To determine this, some subquestions need to be addressed. They are:

• Are you adding square footage?
• Is reengineering required by wall removal or replacement?
• Are you raising the roof and adding a second story?

  Building costs used to be around $100 per square foot, but nowadays $200/ft is a better estimate. And, many of our upscale new Tahoe homes, with their granite, log and rock work range from $400 to $600/ft.

  Whether you have a new construction or a remodel, be forewarned that money often runs tight by the time finish materials and cabinetry is ordered. Many pros recommend adding a one-third budget reserve to your original budget estimate.

  Remodeling costs are affected by the amount of tear down; the design, engineering and addition of rooms; movement of walls, plumbing and electrical changes, etc. Many contractors won't provide a bid price for remodels because they can't predict what they'll find when they open up the walls. They'll only take the job on a time and materials basis. But as a contractor friend says, "Anything can be done, it's only a matter of time and money!"

10. What should I consider before deciding to do the work myself?

  It's possible and quite gratifying to do many parts of a remodel yourself, but when you want the finish to look really good, a good cabinet installer is worth their weight in gold. Although, I've seen DIY'ers accomplish great things, it's the exception and not the rule.

  And unfortunately, it's also possible to do it yourself and spend as much money as a professional would have charged in the first place.

  Take the following quiz to determine if you are good candidate for doing the job yourself:

• Are you experienced in the construction trades?
• Do you have the appropriate common and special tools or are willing to buy more if needed?
• Do you have enough available time to complete a lengthy project?
• Do you know the materials you'll need, and can you find them at a fair price?
• Is your budget realistic? (Use $150 to $300 per square foot as a rough estimate)
• Can your family cope with added stress of a remodel? In addition to all the choices you will need to make, measurements to double check and materials to procure, it's pretty stressful coping with a living space that's torn up week after week.

  A good candidate will answer, "YES!" to all the above questions.

  Or, you might consider the owner-builder option. An owner-builder locates, schedules and pays the various tradesmen directly. What's critical here is your network. Are you cold-calling from the Yellow Pages and not getting called back, or do you already know and trust folks you call upon to do the work? This is where paying a little more for a reputable contractor pays off by having the job done professionally and in a timely manner.

  I hope the above information will help you plan a successful approach to your dream project. —Jill Berg, Jill's Classic Cabinetry.