Every situation is unique, but refacing is often a great option for homeowners working on a tight budget.  Cabinets installed in many older homes are often well-constructed so refacing them and adding new hardware can give you the updated look you seek at a fraction of the cost of new cabinets.  If the old cabinets are not worth saving or if you are thinking about reconfiguring your kitchen layout, then new cabinetry is the best option.  To help you make the decision easier, we come to your home to inspect your current kitchen and share our remodeling ideas with you at no cost or obligation.  We’ll give you our expert and honest opinion on what options you have, estimate the costs involved and answer any questions so you can decide for yourself what’s right for you and your home.

It depends.  What’s right for one homeowner might be totally wrong for another.  The important thing is to work with a contractor who offers and has experience with both natural and engineered materials.  Many kitchen remodeling companies specialize in one or the other and tend to use “marketing speak” to convince you to buy what they have to sell rather than focusing on what’s best for you, the homeowner.  We take a different approach at Craftworks.  We ask a lot of questions about how you use your kitchen so we can match the right materials for your unique lifestyle and needs.  Whichever one is best for you and your family is the material we use to construct your cabinetry.

It’s a smart decision to discuss your remodeling project with a qualified kitchen designer.  The best kitchens blend aesthetics and functionality seamlessly.  A common mistake many homeowners make is installing new cabinets in an outdated layout.  Craftworks Custom Cabinetry is one of the few companies that integrates design, manufacturing and installation into one process, an advantage that saves our customers significant time and money.

Skill, experience, and references are the three most critical things used to evaluate remodeling contractors.  There are many reputable contractors to choose from and of course some you’ll want to avoid for various reasons.  Many contractors purchase stock cabinets from a wholesaler.  At Craftworks, we manufacture cabinets in-house according to your unique specifications.   Another advantage of Craftworks is we are a local, family run business with the owner personally involved in every phase of the project from design through final installation.  Not all remodeling contractors are experienced with older homes so it’s wise to inquire about their qualifications if your home was built 30 years or more ago.  Last but not least, ask for references from customers who have homes like yours so you can compare “apples with apples.”

You are being smart if you are concerned about home security.  Most home remodeling projects involve numerous tradesmen and few general remodeling contractors have a full staff of tradesmen that can tackle every project, especially those involving electrical or plumbing work.  In most cases, this work is sub-contracted to outside companies who will send people into your home who may not have been properly background checked.  At Craftworks Custom Cabinetry, we have built long-term, trusted relationships with tradesmen who we know intimately and whose integrity is beyond reproach.  The quality of work they help us perform reflects on our reputation, so we only work with companies and people who provide the same high level of trusted customer care we ourselves deliver.

 Should I pay for everything upfront or stagger the payments?

Never, ever pay the full cost of a remodeling project upfront.  Reputable contractors will spread payments out over 3-4 payments with each one contingent on the prior stage of work being completed to your satisfaction.  It’s common for the amounts of payments to vary because of material costs and the payment schedule and amounts should be clearly outlined in the remodeling agreement.   If the contractor does not offer a formal agreement, this is a red flag and you should ask for one or seek a contractor that puts the scope of work, time schedule and payment arrangements in writing.

Generally speaking, no.  Capital improvements are not subject to New York state sales tax; however, sales tax is usually applied to the materials that are purchased to make the improvements.  Because Craftworks is a cabinetry manufacturer, a homeowner who deals directly with us pays no sales tax on the cost of their cabinets, an advantage that can save them hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

If you hire an outside kitchen or remodeling designer, you pay whatever fees they charge.  In most cases, it’s money well spent.  Trying to save money by allowing a remodeling company to do the design work is often pennywise and pound foolish decision.  At Craftworks, our customers enjoy the confidence of knowing the people who design their project are the same ones who perform the work.  Even more importantly, we offer free design consultation that saves our customers considerable time and money.

You’ll want to avoid scheduling bathroom or kitchen renovation projects that might interfere with major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas or private events you have scheduled at your home.  Smart homeowners often plan remodeling work when they go on vacation or will be away from the home for various reasons.  At Craftworks, we will even work on weekends and holidays at no extra cost if that timing better coincides with our customer’s lifestyle and needs.