Frequently Asked Questions
Experience & Qualifications
Materials & Construction
Design & Customization
Installation Process
Timeline & Project Management
Pricing & Payments
References & Reputation
- How long have you been building custom cabinets?
- I started making cabinets professionally around 2010 and started doing it as my sole occupation in 2013.
- I started making cabinets professionally around 2010 and started doing it as my sole occupation in 2013.
- Do you specialize in any particular style (frameless, inset, modern, traditional)?
- I specialize in what is considered ‘hybrid frameless’ cabinets but can fabricate other styles to suit your needs. This high-end technique offers maximum storage space unhindered by face frames as well as a cleaner, almost seamless appearance while maintaining the timelessness of five-piece doors and drawer fronts.
- I specialize in what is considered ‘hybrid frameless’ cabinets but can fabricate other styles to suit your needs. This high-end technique offers maximum storage space unhindered by face frames as well as a cleaner, almost seamless appearance while maintaining the timelessness of five-piece doors and drawer fronts.
- Can I see a portfolio of similar projects?
- Yes. I have many examples of past projects on my website: shiklescabinets.com
- Yes. I have many examples of past projects on my website: shiklescabinets.com
- Do you fabricate everything in-house or outsource any components?
- I fabricate and finish everything in-house except for some roll outs and lazy susans.
- I fabricate and finish everything in-house except for some roll outs and lazy susans.
- Are you insured and licensed for this type of work?
- Yes. I carry a $2,000,000 liability policy and am licensed as a sole proprietor. Cabinetry is considered trimwork, however, and doesn’t have licensing requirements like electricians, plumbers, and HVAC.
Materials & Construction
- What materials will you use for the cabinet boxes (aka ‘carcasses’)? (Plywood vs. MDF vs. particleboard)
- I use 3/4 inch pre-finished veneer-core maple plywood construction throughout the carcasses. The pieces are assembled using 1 1/2 inch assembly screws every 8-10 inches. This offers unparalleled strength, stability, and resistance to water damage to the carcasses. Many shops cut costs by using thinner materials, MDF or particle board components. Not only do these cheaper alternatives offer less strength and stability, they are also extremely susceptible to water damage.
- Drawer Boxes are made from 5/8 inch Baltic Birch plywood that I dovetail and finish with a catalyzed conversion varnish. This is the same material that is used to make gymnastics floors and skateboards.
- What materials will you use for the doors, drawer fronts and drawer boxes?
- For opaque finishes (aka ‘paint’ grade), I use European Beech for the door frames. This close grained wood has roughly the same hardness as oak and shows exceptional stability. Birch and maple are also acceptable (although less hard and stable than beech), but shops that use poplar (a common economy species) should be avoided. It is far too soft for cabinetry. The panels and slab drawer fronts are made from dual-refined MDF. This offers great strength and stability. It is fully sealed to prevent water-damage issues as noted in the boxes/carcasses section above.
- For stain grade, I use whatever species is selected (e.g. quarter or rift sawn white oak, walnut, etc) of the highest grade.
- Which hardware brands do you use for slides and hinges?
- For Drawer slides and hinges, I use Blum’s ‘Blumotion’ line exclusively. These are top of the line soft-close undermount drawer slides and soft-close concealed hinges. For roll outs, lazy susans and some other specialty components, I use the premium selection of components from Rev-a-Shelf and Hardware Resources.
- What finish do you use on the cabinets?
- I use Chemcraft’s Chemlife 24 Conversion Varnish and apply two coats each of primer and topcoat, sanding between each one. This is a two-component professional-grade finish that is as tough as any wood finish and feels more like a show car’s finish than an actual ‘paint’. It comes in clear or opaque. My supplier can match any paint brand’s color (e.g. Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore) or custom match a sample piece of existing trim, etc.
- Stains can similarly be matched to suit your tastes or to match existing cabinets or trimwork.
- How is/are the finishes applied to the cabinets? (Spray booth? Hand-finish? On Site?)
- I spray all pieces under full-spectrum lights using an air-assisted airless sprayer in my dust-free, temperature controlled spray booth ensuring the strongest, smoothest finish possible. Finishes applied on-site or in place don’t have these same controls and often result in inferior adhesion, consistency and smoothness.
Design & Customization
- To what extent is your work truly custom? Do you build to any dimension, or must I choose from predetermined sizes and configurations?
- All of my work is truly custom. I design each piece from the ground up in the design software to 1/32 inch. Everything can thus be tweaked to suit your tastes and the space.
- Do you offer detailed drawings or 3D renderings before construction?
- Yes. I design all of my pieces and spaces in ECabinet Systems software. This allows me to provide clients with both 3D color renderings and dimensioned line drawings to ensure that there are no surprises in the finished product. Even when an architect or designer is involved, it’s important to make a computer model in this software as some details might be overlooked by anyone who is not a dedicated cabinet designer. Examples of previous designs can be found on shiklescabinets.com.
- Yes. I design all of my pieces and spaces in ECabinet Systems software. This allows me to provide clients with both 3D color renderings and dimensioned line drawings to ensure that there are no surprises in the finished product. Even when an architect or designer is involved, it’s important to make a computer model in this software as some details might be overlooked by anyone who is not a dedicated cabinet designer. Examples of previous designs can be found on shiklescabinets.com.
- How many revisions are included?
- I try to limit the number of client requested revisions to two and charge $200 per revision thereafter. Of course, if any are necessary because of a misunderstanding or error on my part, then this fee is waived.
- I try to limit the number of client requested revisions to two and charge $200 per revision thereafter. Of course, if any are necessary because of a misunderstanding or error on my part, then this fee is waived.
- Will you help with design decisions, such as door style, trim, or layout?
- Absolutely! Most of the spaces that I build are design collaborations between myself and the client.
Installation Process
- Do you handle installation yourself or use subcontractors? How many people will be in my home? Will I be surprised by strangers in my home?
- I install all of my pieces myself. I might have one helper with me for certain tasks, and you will be given ample notice as to who will be with me and when.
- I install all of my pieces myself. I might have one helper with me for certain tasks, and you will be given ample notice as to who will be with me and when.
- How long will installation take?
- Installation should take two weeks or less barring unforeseen circumstances. Me removing the existing cabinets, delays in design decisions or coordinating with other tradespersons might lengthen this timeline. You will be kept informed of any such developments, however.
Timeline & Project Management
- What is your current lead time?
- As a sole proprietor, my production capacity is limited. Some coordination of our schedules might therefore be required. I rarely have a back log of more than a few months, however.
- As a sole proprietor, my production capacity is limited. Some coordination of our schedules might therefore be required. I rarely have a back log of more than a few months, however.
- How long will the build take once started?
- Four to six weeks for the fabrication of a full kitchen is usually sufficient followed by a week or two for the installation. Single pieces such as vanities or entertainment centers are a fraction of this time, however.
- Four to six weeks for the fabrication of a full kitchen is usually sufficient followed by a week or two for the installation. Single pieces such as vanities or entertainment centers are a fraction of this time, however.
- How do you communicate updates during the project?
- I like to use the mobile app “GroupMe” to keep clients and collaborators updated daily. However, group text messages and/or emails work if anyone prefers to not have the app on their devices.
Pricing & Payments
- What is your payment schedule?
- My preferred payment schedule is to have a 50% initial deposit before fabrication begins, a 30% progress payment once installation begins and a 20% final payment once installation is complete. I can be flexible if you would prefer other arrangements, however.
- My preferred payment schedule is to have a 50% initial deposit before fabrication begins, a 30% progress payment once installation begins and a 20% final payment once installation is complete. I can be flexible if you would prefer other arrangements, however.
- How do you handle change orders and how are they priced? Will I be given advance notice when something will cause the initial quote to change?
- Unlike most shops (who often add a “change order fee” of hundreds of dollars to the cost of any extra work being done), I do not charge a fee for any changes in and of themselves. In fact, I rarely charge for changes in work and might at most ask for any increase in materials cost that I might have.
- What warranty do you provide on workmanship and materials?
- I formally provide the industry standard one year warranty against defects in materials and craftsmanship. I stand by my work, however, and will almost always repair or replace anything that goes wrong so long as I’m still alive and working - whether it’s due to defect or not.
- I formally provide the industry standard one year warranty against defects in materials and craftsmanship. I stand by my work, however, and will almost always repair or replace anything that goes wrong so long as I’m still alive and working - whether it’s due to defect or not.
References & Reputation
- Can I contact recent clients?
- Yes. I have a list of clients and their contact information that I would be happy to share on request.
- Yes. I have a list of clients and their contact information that I would be happy to share on request.
- Do you have reviews or testimonials you can share?