FAQ's

It is tremendously important. Not having the proper licensing and insurance requirements could leave you to be the victim of countless liabilities.  Make absolutely certain that your contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured with the State of Washington.

Generally a good place to start is by deciding what changes that you would like to make, write them down in a prioritized list of importance.  Start a folder containing pictures, and circling or highlighting the parts that appeal to you, or start a pinterest board.  If it starts to seem overwhelming, or if you would like to seek professional help- we have an interior designer that can steer you in the right direction.  Its also advisable to seriously discuss a detailed budget so we can cater a project to your financial requirements.

We are equipped to handle most design and planning situations from conceptual design all the way through submittal and application of permits.  However we are also happy to work with drawings produced by an architect or other draftsman as well.

Usually we handle all required permits pertaining to the job, however this can also be done by the homeowner.

Permit cost greatly vary by municipality, these costs are mostly evaluated on project cost, as well as various submittal and review fees.  Other fees will be added for plumbing and mechanical fixtures, or if structural engineering was required.  These fees are typically assessed at submittal meeting.

We put emphasis on planning our projects based around a budget that is comfortable to you.  During the initial visit we will discuss the budget and from there we can specifically tailor the project to land within your financial needs.  Keep in mind that it is a good idea to have a reserve fund, incase of design changes or any unforeseen problems during construction.

Typically cabinets can account for about one third to one half of a project.  This of course ranges considerably on the type of cabinets you choose and the quality.  Appliances are another factor, which can range greatly in price.  Countertops will also be a major part of the overall budget.

Usually there is no single element that will be significantly more substantial than others- It all depends on types, brands, of the products that are selected.  We are fortunate enough to have a myriad of different materials and types available to us, once we discuss budget we will help you select the right products that fit appropriately for your budget.

Stock Cabinets will be your very cheapest option, and can be acquired from any number of large chain retailers.  Usually they will be in stock in very limited sizes and styles.  Quality is usually poor, and installation tends to take a bit more time for stock cabinets.

Semi-Custom cabinets are still mass produced but the quality tends to be much better.  They are generally set up to make cabinets in “stock” common sizes, some manufacturers will still entertain some custom sizes.  Designs and door styles are manufacturer specific.  You will also have a much greater range of wood species and stain/paint colors.  Lead time for these types of cabinets is typically 4-6 weeks.

Custom cabinets are exactly how they sound, custom.  If you have a complicated layout for your kitchen, would like specifications that conform to ADA, want to match an existing cabinet style- literally the sky is the limit.  Quality is premium, but usually this will be your most expensive option. Build time for custom cabinets is typically 4-6 weeks.  Another consideration is that buying custom cabinets usually supports small business and the local economy.

Planning cabinets to fit within the constraints of your walls can be a challenging puzzle.  Usually it is not recommended to select appliances before cabinets because it puts more limitation on the overall layout of the kitchen.

It depends on your individual skill level and experience, if you feel comfortable completing certain areas of your project we will usually be happy to entertain that option.  Things like demolition are usually areas that homeowners ask to save cost- however consider that you are almost certain to face electrical, plumbing, structural challenges, etc. and usually this is better left to the pros.

Wall removal should be handled with extreme care.  While we can usually tell wether or not a wall is load bearing based on certain conditions,  we will always rely upon approval of our structural engineer to proceed.  He will asses the lateral load, shear support, bracing requirements, and new support calculations to ensure the job is carried out safely.

A lot of times we can identify cues to reveal a serious problem, however I would be lying to tell you that unforeseen problems are not somewhat common, especially while remodeling.  When remodeling a home, we sometimes have no way of finding out how the home was constructed, and the provisions that were made at the time to prevent damage.  We strongly encourage our customers to keep a reserve saved in case of these unfortunate cases.