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Quote From My Cabinet Maker

9 years ago

Why didn't I call him first and save myself all the time I've spent looking for a vanity?! I know why. Cause DH said it would cost more. I found my receipt for the vanity/mirror surround and a wall cabinet he did in 2007 for my bathroom. $1100 unstained. LOVE his work. He's known around here to be very meticulous. I'm very pleased with what he did for us 7 years ago. His quote for a 36x36x23 vanity w/ 3 drawers and one cabinet (sink will be to the right, not centered), stained alder, installed, $375-$400 Yay! If anyone is searching for a vanity and concerned about the quality and or not finding exactly what you want, get a quote from a local cabinet maker. It might be less spendy than you think. Here is what he did for us in 2007. The stain isn't quite as dark as it appears on the cabinets, but close. The mirror frame is accurate (on my screen)

Comments (10)

lotteryticket
9 years ago
I'll second that. And you get exactly what you want. I love the millwork around the mirror.
itltrot
9 years ago
I am happy with my cabinet maker. He was within the $100 of the semi-custom cabinets from Lowes. And I got completely customized.
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OP wrote that she said she'd be ready in "a few months", which does not mean two months. A couple of months means two months. IMO, the cabinet maker should have called prior to building and looked at his schedule and scheduled accordingly. He knows how much room he has in his shop! OP does not. IF he was just 'not busy' in January and knew he had other kitchens coming up and would rather work on OP's cabinets anyway rather than delay, then he should be responsible for storing those cabinets if she does not want to or can not store them. OP's cabinet maker is surely aware of the pitfalls in time management. He knows that working with DIY is totally different than working with professional builders that can give a spot on date that cabinets would be needed in a project. If I were the cabinet maker, Plan A would be to ask OP to store them, too. If she said no, then I'd go on to plan B, which would be my responsibility. We all like to save money. You just have to decide how much you trust you are willing to put into all of the responsibility factor should you assume it.
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I'm thinking about what Poohpup said. I'd definitely order a test set from you cab guy. Then, if the Big Box doesn't match or you don't particularly care for the feel, consider either go with the $$ ones the whole way, 2. change what you can live with, or 3. mix and match with the ones you like the best the BB ones, Perhaps ordering some of the $$ for your lower cabinets and upper drawers. They're the ones you'll use the most. And then the less $$ for the other doors and drawers. Just ideas. I'm have learned a big compromise lesson in life. But in the end, don't settle. Find a way to work towards what you want. Christine
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MrsAndrews: I did exactly as you did and fell for the cash discount line, too. I also contracted in January seeing that he had a "busy" schedule on a large calendar on the wall. I did get some version of shoddy cabinets that just left me in one nasty, nasty court battle. I also learned that even after a court case and winning, I got nothing but a fictitious lien on our property removed. WHY did I get nothing, because they were incorporated and the guy changed his business name. The judge told me that I would have to hire someone to prove that he moved assets from one business to the other and it would be a waste of time in this case. Add to your lessons learned list above: 3)NEVER do business with anyone that is not big enough to afford to lose in court and damage their business name. (Unfortunately, in the state of Florida there is no one regulating the outrageous cabinet business. I believe if you give a business a certain amount of money, then they should be regulated.)
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My thought is have it shipped to them if they need it. Have them inspect it for you, if there is anything at all questionable, hop in the car and go. OR just plan on going after it arrives anyway to inspect it yourself (yes, still going to the shop, but not lugging it with you) and it would give you a chance to check on your cabinets, maybe the color, blah blah blah. I think you are ultimately the one who needs to see the sink and make sure there is no problem. My cabinetmaker only wanted my stages sink in his shop and that was because he was making a very custom cabinet for it, not what is typically expected under a sink.
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golfergirl29
9 years ago
any suggestions on how to find a good local cabinet maker?
monicakm_gw
Original Author
9 years ago
golfergirl, word of mouth. Ask around but what is exceptional work to one person might not be exceptional to you. See if it would be possible to see some of his work. My husband knew of this guy's reputation. 100% of the people I asked had positive things to say about him as a person and subcontractor as well as his excellent work.
southofsa
9 years ago
As someone that wakes up next to a custom cabinet maker every day I'll agree with the above suggestions. Maybe check Angie's list if possible. And I'll add that when you are meeting with them, have some general thoughts of what you want. Doesn't have to be exact measurements but general size, finish (stained or painted), type of wood if stained, number of drawers, number of doors. If you don't know those specifics pictures can be very helpful. A cabinetmaker worth his salt can look at pictures and make suggestions to get the look you're after. Then when you're getting multiple bids you'll be comparing apples to apples.

Lisa
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
"His quote for a 36x36x23 vanity w/ 3 drawers and one cabinet (sink will be to the right, not centered), stained alder, installed, $375-$400."

This cabinetmaker is collecting a pension, or isn't doing it to make money, because he isn't. He can't at those rates.
chispa
9 years ago
Agree with Trebuchet. I'm in LA and for $400 all my cabinetmaker would have given me would be 2 drawers!
xedos
9 years ago
How would YOU define a " good " cabinet maker ?

That's the starting point for this discussion.

Also, it doesn't matter if you live in East Possum Hollow or on Park Ave. - a drawer body worth having and that will last costs at minimum a hundred bucks to procure, assemble, and deliver even if you forgo a profit.

Now, if one were yo use a pair of exposed partial extension epoxy slides for $7.95, and some scrap plywood he had lying around charging you nothing cause someone else already paid for it , and decided that all the labor expended on going to the depot to buy said cheap slides and to cut / nail / glue free plywood together was only worth ten dollars to him - then sure , you could get a "nice " looking vanity for 400 clams.

Oh, sorry mam, I forgot to charge you for the glue , prolly used about two bits worth. Oh, and that quart of stain was 14.95. But , I'm not chargin ya for the ploy because I had some left over from aunt Mable's pie safe.

It's great that you got a smoking deal for a good looking cabinet. However, you experience isn't typical or even realistic for the vast majority of people coming across this thread.

Be kind of like me showing you my first kitchen and it's fabulous German engineering and gee wiz appliances none of which cost me dime - aren't I lucky ?

This post was edited by xedos on Wed, Aug 27, 14 at 7:07
golfergirl29
9 years ago
Monicakm, thanks. A little tougher since I'm new to the area, but you never know what you'll find when you ask around!
golfergirl29
9 years ago
Thanks, monicakm. I'm relatively new to these boards and am SO grateful for so many great suggestions!

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