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6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Kitchen Cabinet Contractor

Purchasing new kitchen cabinets is a major investment. So you want to make sure the work is done right. But how can you be sure you’re hiring a good contractor to build and install your cabinets? By asking the right questions! Here are six questions to ask before choosing a kitchen cabinet contractor.

1. Can You Provide Your License Number?

Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there who make promises they don’t deliver. Asking for a contractor’s license number is a good way to weed them out. If a contractor won’t provide a license number, steer clear. They likely don’t have one at all.

On the other hand, a reputable contractor should be ready and willing to share their license number. Not only does this give you confidence that the contractor is legitimate, but it also gives you the ability to check whether there have been any recent complaints against the contractor, too. Just reach out to your state’s consumer affairs department to check that the contractor is in good standing.

2. Do You Have Insurance?

The second question you should always ask a potential contractor is whether they have insurance. The last thing you want is to make a pricey kitchen cabinet investment only to have something go wrong and learn your contractor isn’t insured. Asking about insurance potentially saves you from trouble later.

A good contractor should carry liability insurance, automobile insurance, and workman’s compensation insurance (if they have employees). This both protects your investment and shields you from liability for accidents, injuries, and public property damage. Never hire a contractor who is uninsured.

3. What’s Your Wait Time, and How Many Current Projects Do You Have?

It’s natural to be excited for your kitchen remodel to start. You want your new cabinets as soon as possible! But it’s not always a good sign if a contractor is available to work on your project right away. After all, a busy contractor is probably popular for a reason!

So ask about typical wait times and how many projects the contractor currently has going on. It’ll give you an idea of how in-demand the contractor’s services are. And you’ll have a better idea of how long you have to prepare for your kitchen renovation to begin.

4. How Does the Installation Process Work?

If you’ve never had new kitchen cabinets installed, you probably don’t know what the process involves. So ask the contractor how their process works. Be sure to ask about what you can expect, how long your kitchen will be unavailable, and how the contractor will keep in contact with you.

Understanding what to expect from the kitchen cabinet installation process allows you to plan around the work that’s going on. And it gives you a realistic idea of what to expect. And with everyone on the same page, the process is much more likely to progress smoothly.

5. Do You Offer a Warranty?

Installing new kitchen cabinets is a great way to improve both your home’s aesthetic and its resale value. So it’s typically a sound investment. But what happens when it’s not? Since kitchen cabinets cost a significant amount of money, you should always ask whether a contractor offers a warranty.

No one can protect against unforeseen accidents or misuse of your new cabinets. So if  your 10-year-old son and his friend ruin your cabinets with frequent water fights in the kitchen, that’s not covered. But your contractor should offer a warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship for a certain amount of time to protect your investment. Here at Edgewood Cabinetry, for example, we warranty our cabinets for five years if they fail under normal use due to defects in workmanship or materials.

Hiring a contractor to build and install new kitchen cabinets is a big decision. Asking these five questions will help you choose a reputable one.

Would you like to learn more about whether Edgewood Cabinetry is a good fit for you? We’re happy to answer your questions and give you a free quote. Just drop us a line, and we’ll be in touch soon!

 

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white kitchen design with island

5 FAQs About the Kitchen Cabinet and Design Installation Process

Thinking about getting new kitchen cabinets? You probably have tons of questions. And we have answers! Here are five of the most frequently asked questions about the kitchen cabinet and design installation process.

1. Will I Need a Permit?

The answer to this depends on where you live, but it’s possible. That’s because installing custom kitchen cabinets sometimes requires modifications to your electrical system. Additionally, you may need to modify your plumbing. And you may even want to move a wall. All of these processes require permits.

Don’t be intimidated, though! Permits and inspections serve to protect you from harm. And as a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor, we are happy to help you through the process. You can learn more about which projects typically require permits here. But remember, you should always check with your city before starting any home improvement project to be certain of your local requirements. Here’s additional information on which kitchen projects typically don’t require permits.

2. How Long Will It Take?

When you opt for custom kitchen cabinets, you’re hiring a professional to make and install cabinets for your unique space. The time it takes to complete the project is highly variable and dependent on your exact circumstances. For example, more elaborate designs and unusual sizes take longer to make than stock cabinets do. Everything from the layout of your kitchen to the design you choose will impact the time it takes to complete your remodel.

What you can expect, however, is clear and continuing communication throughout the process. We want you to be 100% satisfied with your results, so we take the time to plan every detail. As a result, you receive well-planned and well-built cabinets that fit perfectly into your home. And doing things right the first time always saves you time in the end.

3. How Does The Design Process Work?

Typically, we begin the design process by working directly with you. After all, they’re your cabinets, and we want to ensure everything is exactly how you want it. So we’ll discuss options with you and help you establish a budget. And we’ll answer any questions you have throughout the process.

Finally, we’ll create exact samples of your cabinet doors for your approval. Then, once you have approved the final design, we’ll move ahead to the construction and installation process.

4. How Do I Know Which Species of Wood to Choose?

Rest assured that we will help you select the best species of wood for your needs. Since we build custom cabinets, we don’t place limits on the type of wood you can choose for your kitchen. So if there’s a species you love, bring it up! We’ll let you know if it will work for your intended purpose.

In general, however, close-grained hardwoods are the best species for your kitchen. That’s because they hold up well to all the environmental factors they will inevitably be exposed to. Cleaners, steam, and water, for example, all take a toll on cabinets. Close-grained hardwoods, like maple, cherry, and hickory, are better able to withstand these exposures than are softer woods.

5. Can I Choose Painted Cabinets to Save Money?

When it comes to custom cabinets, the final price will depend on the options you select, and that includes the finish. Generally speaking, it’s true that painted cabinets are cheaper than those with natural wood finishes. However, it’s important to remember that here at Edgewood Cabinetry, we make all our cabinets from high-grade wood and use specialized construction techniques. As such, it’s not always the case that painted cabinets are cheaper.

For instance, specialty paints and complex door designs are often more expensive than a simple door with a clear lacquer finish. Indeed, the style of door you choose, along with the type of finish, typically has more influence on the overall price than whether you choose paint versus wood. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t hurt to explore your options. We don’t charge for design consultation, so there’s no obstacle to finding a style you love that fits within your budget.

Do you have additional questions about our kitchen cabinet and design installation process? Get more information by reading our FAQ  or send us a message and we’ll be in touch soon!

 

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4 Things to Know Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets

New kitchen cabinets are a major investment. You want to know that your money is well-spent on cabinets you’ll continue to love for many years to come. That’s why it’s important to prepare before you purchase. Here are four things you should know before buying kitchen cabinets.

1. What’s Your Budget?

Quality kitchen cabinets aren’t cheap. In fact, new cabinets often make up 50% of the cost of remodeling a kitchen. But selecting well-made cabinets is a worthwhile investment. After all, you likely use your kitchen cabinets on a daily basis. And installing new cabinets dramatically changes the look of your kitchen, so it’s one of the best ways to upgrade your space.

However, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you know your budget going into the project. That way, when you start getting quotes, you’ll have realistic expectations and can also prioritize what you want most if you’re working with a limited budget. For example, you may decide to keep some custom features but go with a cheaper species of wood. Or maybe the style is most important to you, so you’re willing to sacrifice some custom upgrades.

2. What Style Do You Like?

Cabinets come in a wide variety of styles, and that’s especially true when you work with a custom cabinet company like Edgewood Cabinetry. Having some idea of what you’re looking for saves you time during the purchase process (although we’re always happy to help you decide!). Do you love the European aesthetic with lots of embellishments? You want traditional cabinets. Prefer a minimalist design instead? Modern or Shaker styles will likely suit you best. Or maybe you’re dreaming of a country kitchen, in which case country/rustic cabinets are a perfect fit.

You should also think about the type of wood you like, along with the color of paint or stain you prefer. For example, Edgewood Cabinetry offers many wood species, such as mahogany, maple, oak, cherry, hickory, and pine. We can finish your cabinets with stains and glazing if you want to highlight the natural wood-grain. Or we can color-match any color of paint to give your cabinets the perfect look.

3. How Much Do You Want to Customize?

You’ll need to decide whether you want stock,  semi-custom, or fully custom cabinets. Stock cabinets are the cheapest option since they come in standard sizes. However, you should beware of purchasing stock cabinets on price alone. Many stock cabinets are made of particleboard or plywood covered in veneer and are not built to last. At Edgewood Cabinetry, our stock cabinets are always built from natural wood and are of the same superior quality as our custom cabinets. They’re simply made in standard sizes and don’t come with custom features.

Semi-custom cabinets are cheaper than fully-custom cabinets but still allow you to add some custom features. You can modify accents or add accessories, within the confines of standard stock cabinet sizes. If you’d like a few custom features but don’t have the budget to invest in fully custom cabinets, semi-custom cabinets are the way to go.

Finally, custom cabinets give you an unlimited range of options. You can customize every detail and add as many features as you like. Plus, custom cabinets are built to fit your space, so they don’t leave awkward gaps. And they allow you to maximize space by transforming every available inch into usable storage. The sky is the limit when it comes to custom cabinet options, so this is the choice to make your dream kitchen come to life.

4. What Options Do You Love?

Think about how you use your space and which features you need. Custom options and accessories always raise the price of your cabinets, but it’s a worthwhile investment to increase the beauty and utility of your kitchen. For example, you can add lazy Susans, drawer inserts, cabinet organizes, spice racks, pull-outs, and more. Decide what features are most important to you and which are nice-to-haves. That way, you’re prepared to make decisions when you begin getting quotes.

Ready to get started on your new kitchen cabinets? Contact us here. We’re happy to help.

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Edgewood Cabinetry custom cabinets

The 3 Big Questions To Ask Yourself Before Installing Kitchen Cabinets

Are you looking to take the plunge of installing kitchen cabinets? You got seemingly endless choices and design styles, but this makes your kitchen remodeling venture an overwhelming experience. Before the enthusiasm gets the better of you, it’s good to ask yourself some simple questions to put together your expectations and figure out what you want.

Function and Design

Cabinets are often termed as workhorses of your kitchen and are rightly so because they give your space both structure and flow. Cabinets are an essential part of any kitchen design. They have to be durable and well crafted. Above all, with a spectacular kitchen cabinet design, you can make your space look unique and integrate well with the overall décor. Custom cabinets can bring that design to any kitchen. Here are some questions to narrow down your choices.

What Style is Best?

Whether you’re after a country style, rustic, contemporary, or love the shaker style, it’s all your personal preference. Your kitchen cabinet has to go along the type of kitchen you envision. So, jot down three or four options that you think will work as per the budget and space available in your kitchen. Remember to consider the overall style of your home so that the kitchen does not conflict with it.

Which Cabinet Style Requires Minimum Maintenance?

The kitchen is the busiest area in the house and presents the most significant cleaning challenge with food stains, dirt, and splatters on every surface. This challenge includes the cabinets, and you can deal with this with practical, easy-to-maintain cabinets. Cabinet finishes that stain or show dirt easily should be avoided.

Regardless of the style of cabinet you prefer, you always have to keep in mind your family’s lifestyle and requirements. You can’t go with fancy kitchen cabinets with young children and a busy family in your house. Instead, you have to look for easy-to-maintain cabinets that have got minimal details, flush ends, and dark stain cabinets.

What Type of Hardware?

Kitchen cabinets are a hefty investment, and one must not run after the trendy and glossy styles. Look for a clean and streamlined style that remains timeless, and then you won’t have to fresh every few years. Think of kitchens from the 60s and 70s that look so dated. What makes them look dated? Keep the items that are expensive to replace more classic in style. Go trendy with wall colors and accessories. The hardware, including cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, can drastically update the look of your kitchen. The bottom Line

Edgewood Cabinetry

Finding the right kitchen cabinet without a workable approach may seem perplexing. But you can narrow down your choices with the requirements and inputs you have in your mind. You’re investing your hard-earned money, and you deserve to get the best experience. Edgewood Cabinetry can create custom cabinets that are right for your style. Let us help you with the selection process. Meet with one of our designers and get the kitchen you’ll love for years—Call 919-339-7300 to schedule an appointment.

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7 Tips For An Efficient Kitchen Installation

7 Tips For An Efficient Kitchen Installation

No one wants a complicated kitchen installation. However, it’s easy to draw out the process for weeks, leaving you without a usable kitchen. The good news is it doesn’t have to take this long. It just takes some planning to ensure the process goes smoothly from start to finish. In most cases, the planning should take longer than the kitchen installation itself. This is a sign you’re doing it right and you’ll likely enjoy your kitchen even more without having to deal with installation stress.

1. Plan What You Want Before You Start

7 Tips For An Efficient Kitchen InstallationNothing sets a kitchen installation back worse than having to make changes throughout the process. For instance, you might suddenly want to change the layout or want larger appliances. This means all the work done so far has to be re-done to accommodate the changes.

Create a clear plan of exactly what you want. This includes your kitchen layout (which determines how everything will fit), appliance sizes, kitchen purpose and more. You’ll even need to plan out whether new wiring is necessary to fit a new layout, such as adding outlets to an island or moving your stove to the other side of the room.

2. Organize What You Need To Do

A common mistake is trying to do everything at once. For example, you might tear down your old cabinets the same day you hire someone to build new ones. This leaves you without cabinets until your new ones are finished.

Look at everything that needs to be done. Stagger the process so there’s a smooth flow. For example, if you want custom cabinets built, it’s a good idea to start here. Then, while the cabinets are being built, you can pick out new appliances.

The week before your cabinets are ready to be installed, consider what else needs to be done. If you’re remodeling your entire kitchen, you might need to have your floors redone and the walls painted. Schedule both of these to be done during that week. You’ll also want to hire an electrician for any major re-wiring that may need to be done before your cabinets are installed. Of course, you can save time and money on your kitchen remodel by skipping certain things. Instead of having to wait around, you only end up without a kitchen for about a week. That’s much easier to deal with.

3. Determine Appliance Spaces

what-to-consider-before-replacing-your-kitchen-cupboardsAlways determine how much space you’ll need for appliances before measuring for cabinets. Wanting that extra-large refrigerator after you’ve decided on cabinets that definitely won’t leave space for that will lead to a more complex kitchen installation.

Pick out the appliances you want first. If your kitchen can only support a certain type of layout, you’ll want to pick your cabinets first and then pick appliances that fit those spaces. This is usually a common issue when using stock cabinets as they don’t come in custom sizes.

4. Opt For Custom Cabinets

For an efficient kitchen installation, opt for custom cabinets. You won’t have the usual trouble that comes with trying to make things fit. After all, custom cabinets are designed to fit your space, not vice versa. Plus, you can get the appliances you want. Just make sure you give the cabinet builder your appliance dimensions and the kitchen layout to avoid any issues.

5. Clean Out Space

While you don’t have to take down your cabinets yourself, clean out your kitchen as much as possible before anyone arrives to work on it. This applies even if you’re doing everything yourself. Trying to constantly move things in and out of cabinets, move around chairs and stacking things in the corner just gets frustrating. Instead, make the kitchen installation easier by moving everything that’s not a major appliance or cabinet out of the kitchen.

6. Let Professionals Handle The Installation

In most cases, it’s easier and more efficient to let professionals handle the installation of your cabinets and even appliances. First, it’s easier on you as you’re not having to lift and tug heavy appliances and cabinets. Second, they’re less likely to make a mistake.

All it takes is a single measuring mistake to make you start over. For instance, you might measure 5″ from the window and start your upper cabinets when you should have measured 4″. That simple mistake might leave you without room for your refrigerator and having to take your upper cabinets down.

7. Install Cabinets First

Finally, install your cabinets first. Obviously, flooring and walls technically come first, but it’s easier to install cabinets before appliances. There’s more room to move around and the appliances aren’t getting scratched or dented.

Ready for a more efficient kitchen installation? Start with custom cabinets from the cabinetry pros at Edgewood Cabinetry.

Image: Creatv Eight

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Edgewood Cabinetry home tips kitchen cabinets

Why Do You Need To Buy Kitchen Cabinets Before Appliances Or Anything Else

A beautiful, well-designed kitchen is a showpiece for any household. Now when we talk about a well-designed kitchen, we start to ponder over appliances, tiling, and other details but tend to forget one essential part. Cabinetry is the foundation of the room, and it is mandatory to plan proper shelving and cabinets before proceeding with other details. The sequential order, while remodeling or constructing a new kitchen should be hiring a well-trained designer to design your kitchen, then planning the cabinets and finally purchasing appliances and kitchen goods to fit in the cabinet based on their sizes. If you’re still not sure as to why cabinet designing must be prioritized over other stuff, consider these reasons:

Why You Need to Design Around Your Cabinets

Edgewood Cabinetry home tips kitchen cabinetsPlanning and space utilization: As mentioned previously, cabinetry forms the foundation of any kitchen. You can always exchange your appliances for newer ones, but cabinet building can only be changed while undergoing renovations. Most people are not fond of the exhausting task of redesigning and renovating frequently. Once the cabinets have been designed, overall placement, sizes, and adjustment of everything else can be decided.

Budget-friendly: It’s better to prioritize cabinetry and invest appropriately in quality so that there is no need to spend again and again to make adjustments. Cabinets should sustain throughout the lifetime of the home. Updating the kitchen can then be done by replacing doors, tiles, or lighting as per the resident’s changing mood or the latest interior decorating trends.

Don’t Cheap Out on Cabinetry

Edgewood Cabinetry kitchen cabinets Raleigh NCDo not skimp the budget when deciding on cabinetry. Overall budget allocation to cabinets should be around 30-50% of the total remodeling budget. Don’t exchange the dollar investment on this crucial element for purchasing some sophisticated fridge, microwave, or other feature that has a much shorter lifespan; however, if the budget is very low, save money on the countertops. Countertops are much easier to upgrade and less expensive than changing out cabinetry.

Custom-made cabinetry allows the client to get exactly what they want in the space available. Many space-saving elements can be incorporated into a small space. For more home tips on the best cabinetry for your kitchen, contact Edgewood Cabinetry at 919-339-7300.

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cabinet shims

Cabinet Installation Fixes When Floors Aren’t Level and Walls Are Out of Plumb

Cabinet installation can be a major problem when you suddenly find out that your floors aren’t level or the walls in your kitchen aren’t plumb. That’s a frustration those of us here at Edgewood Cabinetry sometimes run across in various homes. However, there’s some ways to fix that using a little ingenuity and available tools to deal with the unexpected.

Dealing With Uneven Walls

While we’ll assure to measure your walls before installing your cabinets, uneven walls can still be a problem at the last minute due to certain circumstances. Many times we’ll just use a level to take note of how uneven a wall is beforehand and build the cabinet to align properly with the uneven shape.

Another trick after the fact is to use scribes that help align the cabinet to the wall. These are usually built in automatically to cabinets for alignment purposes. With the scribes located along the lip of the cabinet in back, they’re used as a marker to help shape the cabinet properly. Scribe tools can help with this and work similarly to a protractor. By drawing a pencil line near the area where the scribes meet the wall, you can use a saw on the cabinet to shape it so it fits in place.

Dealing with Uneven Floors

Placing shims under your cabinet is the ultimate answer to helping deal with uneven floors. This might require some measuring beforehand to get the cabinet in place correctly up against a wall. It also may require more scribes along the wall to make sure everything is in alignment. You may also have to use a leveler if the cabinet doesn’t line up with the wall. Plus, a saw may have to be used again to shape the cabinet so it lines up correctly.

Old House Web reminds that base cabinets should be conjoined with screws so there’s no gaps in between. This can cause additional problems with alignment when a floor or walls are misshaped.

Here at Edgewood Cabinetry, we’ll make sure all these steps are done so it won’t mean going back to the drawing board after construction is done. Our master craftsman, Pete Rafferty, has had years of experience dealing with every uneven wall and floor, plus more. Most of all, he’ll make sure your cabinets look exactly the way you want them on the exterior as much as how they fit.

Contact us so we can help you refurbish your kitchen or bathroom with cabinets you’ll love for a lifetime.

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