Top 4 Cabinet Makers in Keene, NH
Frequently asked questions about cabinet makers
When it comes to choosing kitchen or bathroom cabinets for your home, there are lots of factors to consider. Remember, the selection and investment you make up front will affect your living space for a long time to come. If you choose to purchase stock cabinets, you’ll be limited to standard sizes and materials. Depending on your floor plan, standard-sized cabinets may not make the best use of your space. A cabinet maker can offer complete flexibility so you get the most out of your space. They’ll bring design know-how to the table and will pay attention to details that should add up to a great-looking and efficient use of space. They’ll also be familiar with common sizing restraints, uncommon wood types and finishes, and complicated design elements.
Homeowners may not have the time, tools, and skills to install or make their own cabinets. A cabinet making pro can guide homeowners through the whole process, from conception to installing the finished cabinets. It may just make sense to hire a cabinet maker for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project so it’s worthwhile option to explore if you have time and money for the investment.
A skilled cabinet maker should be able to offer a realistic estimate for the time it will take to make custom cabinets for your home. Of course, having custom cabinets made will not be as swift as buying stock cabinets, but the results may be well worth the extra investment. True custom cabinetry can take up to 3-4 months to be built and installed. Some companies and cabinet makers offer prefab variations on the custom designs called semi-custom cabinets. Depending on the features you’re looking for, the semi-custom options may be ready a bit sooner and could cost a bit less than bespoke cabinetry.
Adding custom cabinets to a home can optimize a room’s functionality and add to a home’s overall value. The ultimate design flexibility a custom cabinet maker can provide may make the time and money invested well worthwhile. Be sure to work with your cabinet maker up front to set a schedule that works for your needs and budget.
While it might seem less expensive to purchase stock cabinets, going with custom cabinets may save you headaches and add more value to your home down the line. Stock cabinets are sold in standard sizes that might not fit well in odd-shaped or tight kitchens or bathrooms. You may have to spend more on extra labor to adjust the cabinet installation to work with your space. And it could be difficult to find stock cabinets that match or complement your home’s existing design elements.
The initial expense of time and money presented by ordering custom cabinets could pay off handsomely in the long run. Custom cabinets require professional attention to detail, and custom cabinet work requires the attention of more highly skilled contractors, which will come at a higher expense. You’ll likely choose higher quality materials for custom cabinets, which can look better and last longer. Custom cabinets may seem expensive at first, but if you do your homework, you may decide having custom cabinets made is the right choice for you and your home.
When it’s time to hire a cabinet maker for your home improvement project, there are lots of variables to take into consideration. Do your research, and ask around for recommendations from trusted friends and family. Meet with potential cabinet makers, ask to see a portfolio of their work, ask for at least three references, and find out how long they’ve been in business. Find out if the cabinet maker offers a warranty on their services, and if they can provide a 3D model of what the finished product will look like.
When interviewing a potential cabinet maker, ask what makes his or her work stand apart from their competitors. When you’ve selected a cabinet maker you feel meets your needs, be sure to ask for a written bid or estimate. Work closely with them every detail: for example, know what kind of wood will be used, determine paint or stain colors, and look at the hardware and molding for the cabinets (which should all be included in the bid). Hire a cabinet maker who loves what they do, because their enthusiasm and care will be reflected in the quality of the finished product.
While homeowners often take their kitchen cabinets for granted, there are actually a number of details that create a quality finished product. First of all, kitchen cabinets need to fit into the available space for maximum efficiency. There are a number of convenient and modern options that can be added when planning a kitchen cabinet remodeling project. You might want a built-in storage system such as a wine rack, a way to display china, or specialized built-in cabinets. Consider large drawers in base cabinets, which can hold bigger pots and pans than traditional door cabinets. You might want to have pull-out recycle and trash bins installed for convenience. Extension roll-out shelves make it easier to find items stored in cabinets, too.
There are many choices to make when it comes to kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets can be crafted out of many different types of wood, which can be painted or stained to complement your interior design. Hardware such as handles and hinges can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen, and there’s an array of hardware to choose from, so consider your options wisely. If you’re confused or overwhelmed about all of your options, consider hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor or designer to lead you through the process of choosing the best kitchen cabinets for you and your home.
It makes sense to hire a pro to refinish your kitchen cabinets based on a number of factors. If you feel you’ll be sticking with your current kitchen layout for a while, and your existing cabinets are basically sound but have been damaged, consider doing refinishing rather than replacement. Hiring a pro to do the job for you will likely cost less than replacement so it’s worth the investment.
Be sure to find a properly licensed, bonded, and insured remodeling contractor to tackle cabinet refinishing. It may be tempting to go with less expensive contractor, but the initial savings could create added expense down the line. Choose a contractor who can offer a portfolio of recent work, and who has positive reviews from other homeowners. Make sure your contractor offers a detailed written estimate for the cost, and will offer written and mutually agreed-upon terms. There are many factors that can add to the expense of refinishing, including fixtures and the level of fine-details in cabinet doors, so make sure those elements are included in the final estimate.
A contractor will take cabinet doors off their hinges to work on the wooden surfaces. Then they’ll sand the doors, and strip and prep them. Because this process can be costly, it’s crucial to determine whether refinishing your kitchen cabinets makes sense for your home. It’s wise to do thorough research ahead of time to ensure your cabinet refinishing project is a success. Consult the free Porch project cost guides to get an idea about how much kitchen cabinet refinishing should cost in your area.