My kitchen re-model was a nightmare a few years ago. I disliked every cabinet. DH and I never agreed on paint colors. Range arrived dented. I called it "the kitchen that hatred built". Ever when it was done and everyone ohhhhed and awwed over it, it took me a good year to begin to like it. I like the counters and appliances though. I wanted green too. Stuck with some crappy rust color.

It might be a better idea to call the store and ask when the kitchen people are there, make an appointment. You want their dedicated attention. So often these days things are a challenge. No fun for sure. I hope it gets better.

Arcy, the main person is getting married and won't be back until the end of the month. The in-training person comes back Monday. That is the person the sales person covering sent my info to.

If you have not yet done it I'd try to google up any reviews on each contactor and check the BBB for any complaints, etc.

I agree with others to check out local cabinetmakers. I would be worried about working with a Lowe's trainee.

This looks promising (I am not personally familiar with their work):

https://www.schrockscountrykitchens.com/

Vgkg z-7 VA, I did that before I called each company. The second one who came, though, was recommended by the restoration company and had no on-line reviews.

Gracefullyaged, thanks for the link to the cabinet maker. I did google them for my area but all of them came up in the Lexington area. I've never even heard of that town. Going to check into that company now.

Kathsgrdn, I believe that town is near Louisville. I've been having the same type of problem finding someone experienced and reliable to do repairs of hail damage. Finally got the roof done, now on to the garage door. Did anyone know that companies that replace garage doors, don't do the trim around garage doors?? I didn't, and now I have to find a different company to do that small job...grrr!

Hope you can find some nice cabinets somewhere. There used to be a company in Lexington that did custom kitchen cabinetry, but I don't know if they're still in business.

Unfortunately there aren't that many reviews for Schyrock, one of them is really bad. Damaged painted cabinets that weren't fixed correctly.

Woodrose, I didn't know that.

Is there an Ikea near you? people seem to like them as a less expensive choice.

Nearest one is on the other side of Cincinatti and I have considered them. I really like the look of their cabinets but have concerns about the longevity and finding someone who can actually put them in right.

Maybe ask around among friends, fellow participants at social groups, e.g. church, who may have had remodelling done, or have friends who have, to find experiences.

Is there a "next door"

connection operating in your area where you might find relevant information?

ole joyful

I’ve been thinking and sympathizing with you about the bad luck you’ve had with contractors and workers. While my area has many great ones, you absolutely have to be prepared to wait for them to be available. The good ones are booked many months and jobs out into the future. The people who are readily available are not busy for a reason. Sometimes you get someone good just starting out or going out on their own, but they are difficult to screen. If you find someone worth waiting for, maybe they would do the bare minimum to make it livable until they are able to do the full job.

Ikea is a great option and I’d certainly put in the time and effort to check them out, way before I’d buy HD cabinets. I know women who have DIY Ikea cabinets with no previous experience. They are thrilled with the quality.

When I was planning my kitchen re-do (11 years ago), I drove to the Cincinnati Ikea (from Columbus) to see their kitchens. The drive was worth it - the reason I didn't use them (would have been their previous, Akurum line) was that I couldn't get quite I wanted from their limited sizes - I probably could have hacked the two cabinets where I wanted odd sizes, but I just didn't want to and didn't know if I could find someone locally willing to. I had read on either this forum or the IkeaHacks forum (RIP) that in the larger metro areas with Ikeas, there are companies that specialize in installing and modifying Ikea cabinets.

Now there is an Ikea here, and they also now offer delivery and/or installation (but not hacking).

I did buy several of the kitchen cabinet accessories to use in the cabinets I got - and later bought a couple of drawers to add to the pantry cabinet and the former dog food pullout. The drawers are a big plus IMO- really sturdy and smooth operation, and they were super easy to install.

Kath, i just ran across this list of questions one should ask any contractor about to do a job. I’m not sure about the ’deducting money’ statement as there could be other variables at play with being late, but still good info.

1. Are you licensed to do this work?
2. Are you bonded? (This is to ensure that you are protected in case the contractor goes out of business.)
3. Are you insured? (This is to cover any injuries of workers so that you aren't sued for medical bills.)
4. Can you provide references I can contact?
5. Will you put all the details in writing?
6. When will you pull the permit? (The contractor is the one who needs to do this. Be sure you ask to see that permit. Don't let them start working without the permit if this is a job that requires one.)
7. How long have they been working in your area? (Working in an area for a long time is an indicator -- not a guarantee -- that their work is usually satisfactory.)
8. What is the timetable for this job? (Find out when they'll start and expect to finish. If you sign a contract, be sure you get all the details and make it clear that you'll deduct money for each day they delay.)

In addition to asking these questions, never pay upfront, and I mean never! Too many scammers just take the money and run. If they can't do the job without getting paid first, find someone else.

Ikea cabinets are awful quality - they're great for a flip house, but not for a homeowner's renovation.

Lowes, Home Depot, Menards - all have some decent-quality stuff (not the cheap cabinets they have in-stock though). Also - their installers are notoriously awful.

We went with custom cabinets from a local shop, and custom quartz countertops from another local shop. Our kitchen is marvelous now - a big upgrade from the builder-grade stuff that was there.

Insurance adjuster coming in about a half hour. Afterwards I'm going to look at some cabinets in another city.

I just took measurements of the cabinets and one of them is missing. I don't know why the restoration company took just one cabinet. They also took all but two countertops.

You do realize that the insurance will not pay for upgrades? If your kitchen is very old, newer cabinets may end up being upgrades just because they have modern upgrades comparatively to what you currently have, But insurance replacement is based on what you have, like for like or as near as possible. So you need to have the adjuster explain what will and won't be covered and know your budget. Also if you choose your own constractor and things go sideways you are on your own. Often insurance companies have a list of contractors they have preapproved and that may add a layer of protection for you.

There are lots of people on the kitchens forum who have had Ikea cabinets for years and praise them. I do believe that one of the door/ drawer finishes had issues in the past - but not the ones with a lacquered finish.

I don't know why the restoration company took just one cabinet.

Maybe as a baseline for what you currently have for insurance purposes.

Wildchild, yes, I understand that I'm going to have to pay for the countertops and any upgraded cabinets. I realize I'm going to pay out-of-pocket for a big chunk of it since the cabinets are so old. There's also the $1000 deductible that I have to come up with. A big expense I really don't want right now. The old cabinets are plywood so that's a plus, right?

As for the removal of cabinets, they trashed the cabinets and counters taken. They just needed to leave the ones that were affected by the water for the adjuster to look at but they took one small cabinet.

I'm late to the party but want to say first of all, that I'm sorry you're going through this, again.

And second of all, the best advice when choosing a contractor is to make sure you're comparing apples to apples, and making each contractor be as specific (in writing, always!) as possible.

I hope this job goes smoothly for you, Kathsgardn!

I'm down to one contractor who actually has a cabinet company they deal with. The other one just installs whatever you pick out from wherever. The third one I had lined up to talk with did a no call/no show yesterday evening.

I went to three countertop places, two that sell quartz and one that sells laminate. I really like several of the quartz and one offered the posibilty of half price if they get the exact measurements of counter needed, I only had the total square footage and they need the exact layout. If they can cut the counters using one peice the price is cut almost in half. I really don't want laminate now that I've found that pretty quartz. But I may have to.

I also need to go to Home Depot to see their offering of solid surface counters.

I purchased a home from a coworker that had Home Depot do an entire kitchen remodel for him. The granite counters were selected by the company selling the granite. You don't get to choose the slab. That's something to consider. And since it's a contractor hired by HD that does their work, trying to get errors fixed or inspections done is a nightmare. Just too many people not wanting to take the blame in the line of installers.