I sell Kemper Echo, which is the same thing as Vibe. The big difference between Echo and "regular" Kemper or Diamond is that there aren't nearly as many possibilities within the lower priced line. Fewer doorstyle. Fewer colors. Fewer combinations. Soft close on doors and drawers isn't standard, it's got to be added. You can't do an integrated door panel on the end, you have to add a 3/4" door panel separately if you want that look, and that interferes with the overall length measurements of the space. There aren't nearly as many modifications, so doing things in it is more difficult, and sometimes, impossible. And the specs are 3/8" vs. 1/2" for the sides. I have done several kitchens in the line that turned out beautifully. One is currently being installed as a matter of fact. But it does involve more creativity in some cases than a more full featured line. Also, once you start adding in the upgrades, the price starts to rise to the same price as the full featured lines. So, you've got to trim your want list if you're going to fit into the line comfortably. Or else up the budget for the full featured line that has the features you want in the first place. .

So the contractor we were working with used only Mid-Continent Cabinets. After working with him since early June to put together a plan, he just told us yesterday he won't be able to start our kitchen until at least January. My husband is a contractor (works in commercial and medical development) questioned the breakdown of $25,000 for pretty standard cabinets which we think bugged the GC. I have $15,000 in Bosch appliances sitting in a warehouse and an engineer's plan for a beam to take out a wall. We are frustrated and disappointed. My husband is now considering coordinating our reno himself. Any suggestions on to pursue cabinet work - we our outside Orlando, FL...

Do NOT use Home Depot or Thomasville. Home Depot forgot my toekick drawers despite being asked if she included them 5 different times. She said they were ordered. When my cabinets came in there were no drawers. I immediately went back to HD and the same designer lied and said my cabinets were too heavy for the drawers- i had pictures ftom the website with my ordered configuration. 2nd problem is Thomasville - they have shipped defective product 4 times now. Their shipper lost 1 shipment for a week and today they never showed up with the 4th attempt to give me usable cabinets. Even with a specialist agent from Thomasville I can't get this resolved. I ordered the cabinets 8 months ago. I could have special ordered cabinets for the same amount of money and had my kitchen back together by now. RUN to anyone else although I've been told Lowe's is even worse.

Mrsjoe, Yes, Conestoga's are far better than Kraftsmaid in quality (although Kraftsmaid is nice). I'm not sure about Shenandoah as I have never seen them. I think quality wise (not price) they fall somewhere between Medallion/Schuler's plywood/wood option and maybe Shiloh or a bit further down the list. My estimate for Medallion in non wood "mdf" boxes came in at $14,000 or just under (forget) and my Conestoga's "all wood" rta's were around $8,000 with shipping. My bill was actually $8,320 I think but I ordered some back-up stain, glaze, paint, varnish and top coat just in case we screwed anything up. The finishes are real nice and I do love the catalyzed varnished interiors and the thick solid wood varnished shelves. I paid and extra $10 for 3/4 inch thick bottoms in my larger drawer bank. It was probably over kill but these babies are solid.