Has your contractor given you any references to call? When we were "interviewing" GC's, I asked for a list from each -- the one that got the list to me in a timely fashion, i.e. within a few days, ended up being the one who got the job - after calling references on their list and getting glowing reports. This was actually a good indication of how they have handled our entire project -- in a timely and professional manner throughout. Ask for references -- a good, confident GC should be happy to provide those. Finding a cabinet maker -- I looked at cabinets "out of the box" for weeks and could not find a style or finish that worked for me. I started calling folks who I knew had done reno's w/in the last five years to ask "would you mind telling me where you got your cabinets?" Sometimes they would say "do you know so and so, they did kitchen, addition, etc". I just called people and introduced myself - most were happy to share this info. and through this "referral" system I found a local cabinet maker (who I didn't know and never would have found on my own - GC was so impressed with his work that has since used him on other jobs) who gave me what I dreamed about (not without compromise along the way) within my budget constraints. Soapstone -- have it, love it, priced it on my own and saved significantly. Our variety is "softer" and although we have only been using our kitchen for about a month, I have chips in several edges, especially around the sink. At first I was heartbroken and then reminded myself that we chose this and marble for the "patinas" they would develop over time -- now I use a sharpie to hide them and move on. We are having so much fun cooking in this kitchen together that a nick or two is worth it!

Hey thanks for remembering to post that. That looks almost just like mine will be - if they ever finish building the cabs! Except I never thought about molding on the beam. That looks really nice. But I think my beam won't match my cabs. I probably won't stain it and the cabs will be white. Love your pantry doors. Really nice crossed trim pieces. Those pulls look a lot like the RH Ephram pulls I got. Those are nice. We have matching blue tape on our floors!! That's just amazing :-) At least my floors, walls and ceiling are done.

I have found it difficult to compare brands and prices. Some companies do not have very detailed construction info on their websites. Also, cabinet shops are slow to get you a price and its a very time consuming process. I also have found that your decision regarding cabinet door style, glazed or unglazed, maple vs. cherry, etc. have a large impact on the price. I learned corbels can be $500 each (my designer had 6 in my plan). You need to watch what is on the design because the KD's won't give you a detailed list of what's included or how much each individual component costs. When comparing prices, be sure to include the accessories you want and the delivery charges so you can compare a bottom line price. If I was to start over, I would hire a KD to draw a good plan - or do it myself with input from GW- and shop that exact layout to various shops. Otherwise, you spend time at each shop going over layout details and small variations make it difficult to compare apples to apples. My best bang for the buck price was Jim Bishop cabinets. Also, there have been several recent threads about cabinet brands. See: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0912254112656.html?13 and http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0915500123556.html?18 and http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg091333033070.html?25

I am a cabinet dealer in Raleigh, North Carolina. I mostly sell KCD (River Run and Carriage House are the same cabinets) and Fabuwood RTA cabinets. I have used both for about 5 years. I have been very pleased with both lines. The KCD line is less expensive than Fabuwood by quite a bit. The only real difference that I see in them are the pullouts (also a huge difference in price). Both lines are easy to assemble and both lines have a video to show you how to assemble them. I have never had a customer tell me that my quote was more expensive than any line of cabinets at big box stores. One thing that helps out a little on that though is that most of my customers can pick them up or have them delivered from the warehouse (located in Raleigh, NC). Shipping is fairly inexpensive as well (usually round $350). Of course that depends on how many cabinets, and where they are being shipped to. It is also more expensive to ship pantry and oven cabinets (requires a double pallet). Both lines are full overlay but, they do not have center styles so when you order a 42" cabinet, you get a 39" opening. KCD currently has 9 cabinets (two are furniture board) and will be adding more over the next few months. The next one to be added will be a white painted Shaker (very white....beautiful). It will be fully stocked by mid February.