Lynw, your question is very timely for me. Our cabinets were delivered two weeks ago and the installers haven't completed their work yet because we're missing a cab door and the glass doors and shelves still need to be delivered. We've been inspecting the cabs carefully. We ordered maple doors with a cream finish. Our KD did warn us that if we don't go with MDF, hairline cracks will eventually show because that's the nature of painted wood. We are fine with that. In my mind, the key word is "eventual". I am not fine with seeing it right away. One of the upper cab doors in our pantry area has an hairline crack and I'm going to ask that it gets replaced. I also noticed that there is a splinter on one side of our island. I want that changed as well. Our installer did a great job with the moulding, etc., except for one thing: he left a seam running at the top of our moulding, which could have so easily been hidden. We are patiently waiting for our installation to be completed. Overall we are pleased with the kitchen, we like the installer and I gave positive feedback to our KD (who did a great job - no issues with the specs). At the same time, I've been struggling these last few days wondering how "demanding" I should be. Except for that seam on the top moulding, the issues I have are with the cabinet manufacturer, not the installer or KD. We are going to point these things out. I don't care how "picky" we seem - we spent too much money to be cavalier with the final product.

Thanks for the tip kren, it was definitely helpful. Unfortunately it turned out that switching the doors as I had planned did not work out. I had assumed that the doors were exactly the same size because the cabinets were 18" and 36". For reasons that don't make any sense to me, it appears that they make them about 1/4'' different! Stupidly enough I didn't actually discover this until I had removed, switched and re-attached the doors (groan). I had 15 minutes to take them all off again and switch them back before the cabinet guy arrived :) On the plus side, I am now a wiz at attaching cabinet doors ... So anyway, my cab guy seemed pretty responsive when he came around. I pointed out the flaws and he made a note of all of them and didn't argue about any of them. He said he would get in touch with KM and get back to me. Today he left a message on my machine saying that he spoke to KM and that they are sending new doors for us, and he said "they want me to do the clamping and fixing of the backs of the cabinets, which we will take care of for you". In a way it's kind of the opposite of what I thought would happen. I had imagined that maybe he would fix the door scratch with the touch-up kit ... and maybe even the uneven stain. And I thought that KM would replace the cabinets with the problems at the backs. So I'm happily surprised that they're replacing the doors. I'm happy for my cab dealer (who also used to be a contractor) to fix the trash cabinet with the split piece of wood, which I imagine could be easily glued and clamped together. Maybe I'm just out of my element here, but I don't really understand how he could satisfactorily fix the cabs that are missing a little piece of plywood side, without replacing the plywood side. And I don't know how he could fix the one with the out-of-flush back piece ... it seems pretty solidly glued out of place. I will call him back tomorrow to get more of an explanation. What do you all think?

When we go to mom and her dh's, we stay at their home because they have room for everyone. My dh and I share the cleaning/kid duty with no problems from anyone. I do basic cleaning while visiting but generally don't do deep cleaning. I would do what ever mom asked though. I feel I will be needed more as they grow older and I'm kind of looking forward to helping out. Now,,dh, he often does some heavy duty thing with mom's dh to help them get a complex job done. He enjoys that because it gives him something important to do and of course his help makes things better for his in laws. When my family visits, they stay in our finished basement so they can have some privacy. They can sleep in, read, watch tv, until they decide to come up and visit. It works for us. I've only had one "argument" with my FIL and mom's dh. Both times I left very quickly with out a word. I think everyone knows I don't put up with stupid crap more than one day. That's just the way I work. Life is to short to live with chaos.

HI raee_gw, yes, they said it's supposed to be gentle removal. They will take the sinks and faucets back to their factory so all major cutting is done away from my home. If they need to make some slight adjustments on site, they will do it outside on my driveway. I do have a lot of bottom drawers - I think I should cover them with something - maybe plastic wrap so no dust gets in he runners or drawers. Thanks. wags4fun - wow, that Sea Pearl quartzite is stunning - I hope you are thrilled with them once they are in place. Please post photos when they are done, I love to see gorgeous quartzites . And yes, good idea to remove the top drawers. I've been told that they measure and then go back to the shop and make my counters - then they come back to install and the plumber comes the next day. They told me they can't template the backsplash until the counter top is in, so that they come back a few days later to install. BTW, I love your name - you must have some happy dogs in your house? My3dogs - LOL, I'm glad you posted about your beadboard - I think I'll borrow that idea for the family bathroom which is next on my list. Thanks all for the positive vibes.....I'm hopeful it will all go smoothly.