"MiamiCuse" wrote in message
...
I am having my kitchen completely redone and now going back and forth with
a cabinet maker on the final design and layout. He is going to build all
the cabinets and drawers with 3/4" plywood, and the doors would be solid
wood which he would order from somewhere. I will go pick out any hardware
and he would install them and basically I can call out any size cabinet
(width-wise) to fit my space so this is the custom aspect of it.

However he has a limited number of door styles. The one I like is shaker
style, however I would like a wide rail (say like 5 to 6")

standard shaker rail:
http://www.pennvillecabinetry.com/Doors/4112lg.jpg

wide shaker rail:
http://www.pennvillecabinetry.com/Doors/door453html.htm

In fact I want it to be even thicker than that. He told me he does not
have a supplier for it, but I see it everywhere even at Lowes and Home
Depot. My thought is if this is custom, shouldn't the door style be
cusotm too? I cannot imagine a simple door like that is hard to make.

Second, I wanted all drawers to be a flat panel - no rail. Whether it is
a 4" deep drawer or 14" deep drawer - all drawers no rail. He said the
deep drawers comes with rails, so here is another issue.

I think there must be quite a few cabinet makers here, if you cater to
custom cabinetry, to what degree do you customize?

Second question is, how would a customer be able to see the final color,
texture, construction etc...of a cabinet? Do you do a sample? Do you
take them to a previous client's home to visit? How do you do it (if
there is not a show room).

Third, how do you structure payment? What is the usual, customary and
fair payment, percentage wise how much you pay upon contract signing
etc...and how much more at what milestone?

Thanks in advance,

MC

It sounds to me like you're getting semi-custom cabinets. There's nothing
wrong with that, if that's what you want. Your cabinet guy has apparently
made the decision that he farms out the doors (and drawer fronts?) and
concentrates on making carcases. It could be that he just doesn't like
dealing with solid wood, because if you don't make the doors or drawer
fronts (and you're making the drawers from ply), that only leaves sheet
goods. There are only so many places that make doors/drawer fronts, so
you're stuck with what they offer as far as choice of style goes. Is it
hard to build doors? No, but it can be time-consuming, which is why your
guy may have chosen to farm it out.

Honestly, I imagine you're paying a pretty penny for these cabinets. If you
don't like what this guy is telling you, I'm sure you can find another who
will make exactly what you want to spec. Of course, you might be paying
more than you're paying now.

As far as samples go, I'd probably arrange a visit to a former client,
because I doubt a small shop (which I'm guessing this is) has a lot of room
to be storing samples. When I have made stuff for other people, I take a
sample of the wood I'll be using, sand it down, and apply a test finish for
approval.

I'm not in the business, and I've never ordered custom cabinets, so I don't
know that is usual and customary as payment goes.

todd