Before & After Kitchen

Happy Holidays!  Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season.  We have been very busy here at Built Wright Woodworks getting houses ready for hosting parties.  We meet with many homeowners who know their current kitchen layout isn't functional.  Many times, the homeowner only sees additional square footage (think home addition) as the only or best option.  Not so! 

We just finished a house where the homeowners decided to have custom cabinets built within their same blue-print.  The homeowners found that an addition was not mandatory in order to get the space and needed changes.  I have added before/after shots at the top of our 'Kitchen Cabinet' gallery to illustrate what we built.  We also built an amazing home office and bar area as well.  

If you are re-thinking your current kitchen layout, think of all options.  Just know, we are here to build your custom cabinets!

Custom Cabinets vs Stock Cabinets - Decisions, decisions

Want or need a new kitchen, bath, closet? Have your ideal room pictured in your mind?  Next, you might have gone to Ikea or Home Depot to look at options or chosen your ideal room on Houzz.  You might now be on the path to deciding what option to go with:  Stock cabinetry (meaning, pre-assembled and built at a factory) or Custom cabinetry (made specifically for you) or semi-custom (something in-between). 

At the point, you probably want to ask, ‘Which should I go for?’  At least, that’s what I hear.  Again, it depends.  There are some great stock cabinets available.  Some notes about stock cabinets – they are typically only 36” tall.  If you want taller cabinets, you need to go at least semi-custom.  Most of the time, the finish choices are limited.  If you want a white, maple, dark cherry or natural wood finish, then you will be fine.  Added details are normally not included, such as crown molding. 

My advice:  always, always have your list of top 5 ‘wants’ in your room and let that guide you.

Need some great kitchen drawers that differ in heights?  Custom cabinets.  Need a built-in office shelf that fits a small or unique shape?  Custom cabinets.  Want that entry way locker to pop when guests walk in?  Custom cabinets.  Need a mantle with a unique wood stain and finish?  Custom cabinets.  

Once you have your top ‘wants’, begin to look around at options.  I know at Built Wright Woodworks, we offer a beautiful finished product.

Master Carpenter, Trim Carpenter, Cabinet Maker – Which should you use?

When I talk to people who want something built, whether it’s a custom kitchen, closet, heirloom furniture piece or simply an ornate wood railing, I often get asked the following question:  Who should I use to build this?  Can a trim carpenter build a kitchen cabinet?  Should I hire a master carpenter?  Can the person who built my deck build my bathroom vanity?

The answer to all of those questions is ‘Yes’.  However, I always add that the proof of skill is in the finished product.  Ask to see some pictures of work that woodworker has already done.  Just as in every profession, there are people who think they can cross over into other areas within the same profession, but might not contain all the skills needed to build a quality product.    

Another question I recommend asking is: ‘How many kitchens (or bathrooms, mantles, etc) have you built?’  Just like asking your doctor, ‘How many times have you done this surgery I’m about to have?’, you want to ask your builder/carpenter/cabinet maker the same thing.  Anyone skilled in this profession should not be offended at this inquiry.