Updating cabinetry in your home is an investment that can be very expensive and as a result you want to make sure that you hire the right company to build and install your cabinets.  You as the consumer want to get the most out of your money and you want a quality product that is going to last a lifetime.   Beautiful cabinetry offers style, function, and of course helps in maximizing space by adding extra storage.  If cabinets are built the right way, using quality materials and are installed correctly you are pretty much guaranteed a product that will last forever.

With so many choices out there how do you choose the right company to build your cabinets? Do you hire a general contractor or a builder? Do you go through a home center? Or do you hire a skilled cabinet maker?  Let’s help narrow down your choices.

General contractors hire other people (subcontractors) to do the work.  GC’s deal with getting the proper permits for new construction sites, they deal with vendors and ordering materials, find and supervise subcontractors, and are responsible for managing the construction projects.  GC’s mark up projects anywhere from 10-20% and usually work on bids so they are guaranteed to make a profit and so their expenses are covered. These bids are sometimes called “hard bids” because the price is non-negotiable. The consumer may not always know who is building their cabinetry when dealing with a GC and the work might not be guaranteed.

Builder’s usually have their own crew and they do the work themselves.  However, sometimes builders hire subcontractors to get the job done.  Again, the consumer might not know who is building the cabinetry.  In other situations a builder might hire a subcontractor to build the cabinets and may have one of their carpenter’s do the installation. Installing cabinetry is very technical and requires attention to detail. Some carpenter’s may not have the knowledge to recognize these important details. If the installation is not done by the person who built the cabinets there is room for error and complications down the line.  You also may be getting a product that is not guaranteed. Builder’s can work on bids or can work on an hourly rate depending on the situation. Prices can sometimes be negotiated when working with a builder.

Home center’s offer convenience and affordable cabinetry.  However, you get what you pay for.  The majority of mass produced cabinet lines are not made out of high quality wood products. Instead they are made out of materials such as particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and are covered with wood veneers and laminates.  The cabinets come in standard sizes and don’t always offer the enhancements that can make your cabinets most functional for your space.  If you are dealing with odd dimensions or space this is definitely not a good option for you.  The consumer wants a product that is going to last a lifetime and that cannot be guaranteed when dealing with lower quality materials and construction.  Another potential problem with mass produced cabinets is the possibility that your order comes in incomplete or with damaged parts.  When this happens it could take months or even up to a year to receive replacement parts or pieces.  In the meantime this leaves you with an incomplete project.

A custom cabinetmaker has the knowledge and expertise to build the consumer the highest quality cabinets that will last a lifetime. Most cabinetmakers use high quality wood products and will guarantee their work.  They usually build cabinets using heavy duty construction which consists of mortise and tenon joinery. When dealing with a cabinetmaker there is only one person responsible for the design, the building, and the installation which guarantees that the job is done right.  The consumer works directly with the person building their cabinetry which reduces the risk of miscommunication.  The consumer gets exactly what they want.  In addition, cabinetmakers can offer small unique architectural details that cannot be created by mass produced cabinet lines.   Some people think that custom is more expensive but that is not always the case.  The consumer can actually end up saving money by hiring a custom cabinet maker as it eliminates the middleman.

So if you are in the market for new cabinetry and you want a high quality product that is guaranteed call Buzzell Hill Woodworking and Design at (207) 542-9634.  Or check out the website at www.buzzellhillwoodworkinganddesign.com.