"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.

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.

First things first: Have you seen any of his work? DO NOT proceed unless
you do ... pictures will do as long as you can verify them, but hands-on is
better, particularly if you can talk to the owners at the same time. And
make sure you have references and actually talk to them.

An OPTION (which will indeed give you a "custom job", which you are NOT
getting in your original description):

Have him build and install the cabinet boxes to the agreed upon design (what
size and grade of plywood, face frame or Euro?)

_You_ order the drawers, doors and drawer fronts from a third/fourth party,
either on your own after getting the opening sizes, or with the advice and
counsel of the cabinet maker ... preferably the latter.

There are many companies (the Internet shrinks the world for you) that do
drawer boxes of solid wood, dovetailed like you want, if you would like to
get away from plywood drawers.

You may have to go with another company for the doors and drawer fronts,
maybe not. DAGS.

Here's one that does custon drawers to your spec and you can check on the
prices online for the drawer sizes you need ... I am not recommending this
company, just illustrating some of your online options:

http://www.udb.cc/CustomDrawerQuoteForm.aspx


VERY IMPORTANT: Consult with your cabinet maker beforehand and decide upon
door HINGES and drawer SLIDES, _BEFORE_ you order doors, drawers and drawer
fronts and make sure they are availabe ...THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT!.

VERY IMPORTANT: The SIZE (!!width, height and depth as well as the THICKNESS
of the drawer material!!) of your drawer boxes are VERY dependent upon which
DRAWER SLIDES you use ...THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT!

VERY IMPORTANT: the size (width and height) of the doors is dependent upon
which DOOR HINGE you use and the OVERLAY you want ...THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT!

payment, percentage wise how much you pay upon contract signing etc...and
how much more at what milestone?

Work out something with him ... he probably has a preferred payment
schedule.

Not unreasonable for a "turn key" project is 1/3rd down, 1/3rd upon
installation of the boxes, final payment upon installation of the drawer's,
doors, drawer fronts, associated hardware, FINISHING, and your TOTAL
satisfaction ... but it's not a hard and fast rule. You want something you
both can live with that will be comfortable for you and will give him
incentive to finish the next step, including completing the job.

If he doesn't do the finishing, be sure to obtain some scrap from the
cabinet maker, and door/drawer front vendor, to use for finish testing.


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www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 9/30/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)