I don't think you really need a KD if you know what you want and have your choices pretty well set like you do. Hiring one wouldn't hurt, but IMHO it's not necessary. (Don't hire one just to find a cab maker for you.) What you DO need is a new cab maker. Custom should mean custom, in that you should be able to get what you want within the bounds of physical reality, his/her skill, your pocketbook. My local, one-man custom craftsman was a joy to work with and very helpful along the way.

If no one in your area chimes in here to suggest another cab maker, post separately with a title worded to reflect your quest. You should be able to get some suggestions here. Good luck and hang in there!

He doesn't sound comfortable building the style of cabinet you need. Your local conditions might be tough, but an AC conditioned space may offset heat and humidity problems. William Ohs Transition line has an inset shaker look without the dimensional restrictions. Another traditional inset line is offered by Chistopher Peaoock. Prices vary with those being at the higher end. Checking the fit of inset cabinets on display locally should give an indication of quality in a challenging environment.

Here is a link that might be useful: William Ohs Transitions

be glad you found that out about the GC before signing on w/him. Find someone who will (and can) do what you want done.

What a bunch of hoo-ha.
I'm in MD, between DC and Annapolis off Route 301.
That's a big bunch of exaggerated crap.
I've got inset doors and am saving to buy more and more. They're fine. If it's beyond his skill level, he should just say so. (Ego?)

Find someone else. If you want, I'll get you a few names. I still have those connections from my STBX.

You know, what we want in our things can change all the time. Relationships, people, ourselves, but what we DO NOT want pretty much stays the same. Run with it.

I'd dump him like a crack-head blind date.

I would love names of cabinet makers in the MD-DC area if anyone is willing to volunteer some, but I'm not married to fully custom cabinets. I would consider a good semi-custom cabinet, if I can get someone to do the carpentry on the island. It seems like people in this area sometimes find Amish cabinet makers, but I wouldn't know how to find a good one.

There are definitely some amazing Amish cabinet makers in the area, or at least on a short drive. Hopefully some of these names will appear here. People are very, very happy.

I'll check with my person about whom he uses.
I cannot believe the guy you were talking with. [snort]

Dutch Wood immediately springs to mind from some great recent kitchens here. Sounds like they're great to work with, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dutch Wood Cabinets

Our cabinets are custom. I have ALOT of detail to them and, while the cabinet makers were not excited to do the detail, they *would* do it....at a cost. We decided their extra costs were prohibitive ($800 to case two windows? ...really?) So...we found a general contractor with incredible crew who did all of the extras for me at a fraction of a fraction of the cost.

Just thank your stars you didn't sign anything with that guy.

We have Starmark cabinetry. It's all stacked up in the living room, but the few I've unpacked are solid and beatiful! Unfortunately, they don't do inset. My friend up the street has nothing but wonderful things to say about her local, custom cabinet shop -- the people, the process, and the results. Her new kitchen is beyond gorgeous. She used Watkins Cabinetry in Barnesville, MD. Good luck finding the right cabinetry place!

Christine is right, dump him.

I am in the metro DC area. I would contact Dutchwood since several folks here are thrilled with their work. I am using Ivan C. Dutterer, which is in Pennsylvania; but an architect or interior designer usually provides initial drawings to them, and I'm not sure if you're working with one? Also, no harm calling to ask if you can provide them with a sketch!

One place you might want to check out is Lobkovich in McLean, VA. They do Signature cabinetry and one other line. They are expensive, but Paul and Mike were fantastic when I met with them, and I know a lot of folks who have been very happy with their work.

I really appreciate all the suggestions, but maybe I wasn't clear. We don't have a GC (or an architect, but we don't need or want an architect). That's the problem--we don't have a great starting place, whether KD, GC, or cabinet maker, who we could trust to guide us. I looked at Dutch Wood's website, but they seem to offer a limited selection of doors, and only 1 looks even close to the Shaker style we want. I've heard a lot of good things about Watkins, but unfortunately, they won't or can't do anything we want.

Semi-custom could work out if we knew a good vendor and had a contractor who could add the features we want and make them work with the cabinets (carpentry really, but they'd have to know what they're doing).

I didn't want to deal with a KD or a GC so I went with a local custom shop and managed the project myself. I gave the cabinet guy my designs and cabinet placement, he had no problem making inset or anything else that I wanted including my corner cabinet that was a bit different than any that he had made before. If I were you I would keep looking for a local cabinet maker, one with a higher quality of workmanship than the guy that you already met with.

Here is a link that might be useful: One past thread for custom in DC/ MD

At least when I lived in DC, a good finish carpenter was awfully hard to find -- probably harder than a custom cabinet maker.
One custom line that I checked out for my current reno (not in DC) was Kahle's. I would have gone with them if the reno hadn't kept tossing out complications. Anyway, I checked out the line at the factory showroom, and came away impressed. And it priced out at the level of other semi-custom lines, such as Dynasty.

Here is a link that might be useful: kahle's

I'm in New Hampshire and the cabinet maker I'm using, Crown Point Cabinetry, does cabinets for people all over the country.

They're a "direct buy" company, meaning you deal with them from start to finish, as their cabinets are not sold by other vendors. I believe they'll work to your specifications.

Have a look at their website:

http://www.crown-point.com/

For kitchens, they have a KD in-house who'll work with you by phone or email and mock up the layout you want, so you can see it on paper. I don't think they do installation except under special circumstances, but they are sending someone to my home (in New Hampshire) to take the measurements. Maybe they'd do that for you too (depending on the size of your job?). Or you can have your installation guy take the measurements.

Don't have an installation guy, either. All I have at present is, know approximate layout, know style I want, know what I don't want. I'm familiar with Crown Point and love the look in general, but not comfortable working long distance (another thing I miss about Boston). Do you have to use one of their styles, or are they truly custom?

We will need a good contractor involved b/c we have to get rid of some soffits, and they aren't all empty.

Oh, heck.
Talk with Crown Point. I'll hang your cabinets. If I, at 5'3" can do it, anyone can.

And I keep taking mine down and putting up better ones.
Cabinet installation isn't the hard part. It's the countertop stuff that really needs pros.

After all. If those nitwits on HGTV and DIYNetwork can do it, so can I. And I do it frequently.

You just can't watch.

I hope that by now you have found someone that can meet your cabinet needs! My husband builds custom cabinets and it is so frustrating for us to hear of so called 'custom cabinet' builders that....aren't. A truly custom shop is going to not only say yes to anything their client wants, but they will also have the skill to be able to produce what they say they can. Good for you for being unwilling to compromise your wants based on a builder's limitations!

In response to fouramblueson Tue, May 1, 12 at 21:15

Yes, StarMark Cabinetry DOES do inset, and right now it's on sale. It's also on a very good delivery schedule (six weeks). There are plenty of StarMark Cabinetry dealers in the MD area.

Your builder was right when he said humidity/temperature would affect inset doors. We make sure all homeowners are aware that inset doors need seasonal adjustment, but it's easy to do and worth it for the beautiful look of inset.

A KD that is on staff at any good kitchen and bath retailer will be able to help you design your kitchen.

You know, I had inset doors for 2 years, in New Orleans, and never once had to make any "seasonal adjustments."