The Process

The idea of having your kitchen remodeled fills you with both excitement and dread. It really isn't a big deal that you should lose sleep over, I've got over 30 years in this business as a "one-man show," and my "machine" is well oiled and efficient.

We will meet at your house where I'll show you a sample cabinet base (so you can see the high quality and construction), sample doors, and stain/paint sample blocks. We'll go over your wish lists. You can keep it basic or add every bell and whistle we offer. Most people just want some big drawers, pullout shelves, a trash can pullout, and a couple of organizational accessories.

While there, I will measure your space so I can do a CAD design and quote. The National Kitchen and Bath Association has a set of kitchen design guidelines that I use to ensure your kitchen is functional and comfortable to be in. It is an invaluable compilation of decades of corporate knowledge.

After some back and forth via email and text, I'll finalize the design, prints some 3D views to a pdf, and email those to you with the detailed quote. You'll know to the penny what the cabinets will costs and what demolition and installation will be. No surprises. If you decide to proceed, we'll get together again to double-check all measurements, go over specifications, and sign a contract. The deposit required is 50% of the cabinet cost.

From first meeting to the order for your cabinets being transmitted usually takes about a week.

Depending on the door style and other factors, your cabinets will be made to order in 4-6 weeks. I try to use standard sizes to save you time and money, but sometimes I need a couple of cabinets with custom sizes to make a design work out nicely. I don't want lope-sided looks, asymmetry around focal points, or the use of fillers pieces. It is worth the extra week or two on the lead-time.

While waiting on the cabinets, you'll order your new appliances, if applicable, your new cabinet hardware, and pick out your counter tops. I work with several local granite and quartz companies who I can endorse. I'll give you a detailed drawing and a cabinet sample so you can chose your material and get a quote.

If you are moving walls and changing locations of sinks or major appliances, things get a little more complicated. I can put you in contact with good electricians, plumbers, carpenters, drywallers, and painters if you want to wear the contractor cap and save money. I can also put you in touch with an honest contractor if you don't want to mess with it. After 30 years in the business, I've found many quality tradesmen who I can recommend without any reservation.

Your cabinets will be delivered to a local final mile delivery company by a Bishop Cabinets, Inc. 18-wheeler. I'll coordinate with you and the delivery company to get the cabinets to your house (usually in garage) the week before the remodel begins. I'll be there too to check for shipping damage or shortages. Most of the time, everything I ordered shows up complete and undamaged. If I find a dinged up door, Bishop Cabinets will do a rush replacement at their expense.

It's Monday morning. I arrive to begin the demolition. "Demolition" is too strong a word. It makes me think of these people on HGTV busting up cabinets with a sledge hammer. Most cabinets simply unscrew from the wall and each other. Working by myself, I can usually remove the cabinets and counters, clean up the space, and be on my way to the dump by noon. There's little dust and it's pretty clean.

I will have the cabinets set and template-ready usually by Wednesday or Thursday. Two weeks prior to the cabinets arriving, we can nail down a start date, and you can schedule the templating (for counter tops) for the Thursday or Friday of the week I start. This way, the downtime of your kitchen will be minimized. It will take the granite company two to three weeks to fabricate and install your tops. Plumber will come the day after that.

Your kitchen won't be 100% down for three weeks. You'll have for stove the whole time. I'll install your microwave/hood before I leave, and your old counters could be used for temporary work surfaces while waiting for your new counter tops. The sink and dishwasher will be out of commission for about three weeks. Wash those dishes in the bathtub!

In summary:

One week for design and quote

Four to six weeks to get cabinets

One week to install cabinets

Two weeks until countertops

Additional day for plumber

My remodels are very clean and smooth sailing. I show up, put my head down, do the work, do it well, and clean up at the end of each day. It will be a positive experience for you.