On Thu, 01 Sep 2005 17:26:12 GMT, Rock wrote:

The other posts are pretty accurate: HD designers are inexperienced.
If you want to use them because of cost, be sure you buy one of the
kitchen design software packages and check all the dimensions
yourself. Go over any discrepancies before you order. In fact, you
can send the design to the cabinet manufacturer's customer support,
and they can adjust as necessary. They're happy to provide this
service.

I have purchased cabs on-line, and do not recommend it. Although HD
backorder can be difficult, there's no shipping costs for returns. If
you have a finish problem with one of the doors, or it's warped or not
square, you'll have to pay the return shipping. It's not cheap.

Rock

On 17 Jul 2005 10:23:34 -0700, wrote:

I am sure this has been discussed a million times, so many times in
fact that it is mind boggling... so I'll try a simpler approach and ask
in a consolidated message.

I just finishing installing 2600sq/ft of hardwood floors in our house
and it is time to replace the kitchen cabinets (I removed them in order
to install floor underneath and now have them as modular units on
upside-down rug with cut counter pieces...)


1. We are replacing our cheap 20 y/o kitchen cabinets.

2. I know kitchen remodels can yield some huge profit margins so I
don't want to get shafted but I am willing to yield the manufacturer
and retailers an acceptable profit - everyone needs to eat and pay
mortgages.

3. We want to get decent quality (kraftmaid, etc) at good value. Not
looking for best of the best type of stuff, but something that will
look good and feel good and last 20 years.

4. I will be doing the cabinet installation myself

5. We are looking to spend around $3-4k for wall/floor cabinets for a
10'x9' L shaped kitchen with a 5'x5' island in the middle (open floor
concept)

You might be able to do the regular wall/base cabs for that, I doubt
you'll be able to include the island for under $4K, not with Kraftmaid
any way...

I went through Lowes for our kitchen remodel. I have ~16' of base and
~16' of wall cabinets in a "modified" U shape (U with sink, peninsula
and counters; range/MW/fridge and two base cabs opposite the U).

We went with the Shenadoah line (Hickory Grove, in natural w/cathedral
doors on wall cabs, square panels on the bases, standard overlay).
Pretty standard cabs with the exception of an "easy reach" corner wall
unit ($284) and an upgraded "Super Susan" lazy susan unit ($453) for
the corner base, with only one 4 drawer base ($350). The original cabs
were hung from a soffit so our cabs are not to the ceiling. The sink
base (36") was offered as "free", about $300 off as I recall.

After adding trims, filler pieces and skins for the exposed side of
the peninsula and kicks, and an end shelf (wall) unit, (no drawer or
door pull hardware included) it came out just over $4200 (w/5% tax &
shipping). About another $1200 for counters and a couple of hundred
for full counter to cabinet tile splash. U counter is laminate
w/rolled "no spill" front edge, 4" rolled cove edge at the wall edge,
37" width for the peninsula counter with simple rolled edge on the
back side. We bought solid granite for the two counters flanking the
range from a local place that had remanants.

I had very few issues with the cabs, nothing I couldn't work through
on the install. Finish is great and the "lively" grain of the hickory
is absoulutely beautiful. Full slide out, all wood dovetailed drawers,
plywood sides blah, blah, blah... (BTW, that hickory is only about one
step softer than petrified wood, it's some tough stuff, bring your
sharp drill bits)

I ended up working with two different people at Lowes, one for the
initial layout then when we went back to order w/changes we had
another fellow, who happened to be a retired general contractor.

Both were very good at what they were doing. The software did it's job
very well also. The manufacturer offers the ability to track your
cabinets as they proceeded through the building/shipping/delivery
pipeline.

I think it is a mistake to paint with such a wide brush to say HD, or
Lowes or Big Bills Box Store is "no good" or "they don't know what
they are doing." I hear that all the time and all I can say is that is
must be a local/regional thing. I've had nothing but good experiences
in our local HD and Lowes (SW Idaho).

When I went in to choose/purchase the sink and faucet at Lowes, I had
a guy helping me. After I picked out the sink/faucet, the guy marched
me through the plumbing dept, pointing out all the other items I would
need during installation, explaining the choices/features/benefits of
each item. Although I'm experienced enough to know what I needed, it
was nice to have him show me exactly where it was and point out some
options. Almost without exception, I've found helpful, expereinced and
knowledgable sales people at Lowes. The one time I stumped the guy in
the tool dept was when I asked if they had any reverse drill bits,
he'd never heard of them before...

YMMV

snip

Thanks!!!!!

Good luck, have fun, plan on $pending well over what you think you
will. G

DJ