We know that people who go to our website will probably stop at other websites that do kitchen refacing. We ask that you print this page out or call the office and ask for a “Comparison Sheet.” The following should be used as a guide to compare all refacing companies to Kitchen Options. Quality of product and quality of the craftsmen that do the work in your home should be two of the factors you use to choose a kitchen company. The other factor is also very important – and that is “comparing apples to apples.”
There are franchises and smaller companies that have an inferior product. Here is what you should look for and why.
The doors have a seam that runs from each corner at a 45º angle to the edge of the center panel. (They are about 1 1/2″ to 2″ long.) These seams, especially if near a heat source (stove – microwave – heat register) will spread and curl.
There are companies that don’t do the “unders.” This is the area underneath the wall cabinets. The area, that if you have or want under cabinet lights, this is where they would go. If the unders are not totally filled in and finished to look like the rest of the cabinet, then heat from a counter oven, toaster and the stove will gather under this area. That heat has been gathering for years, but with wooden unders it was of no consequence. Now, if the face of the wall cabinets are refaced then the heat will eventually ruin the bond and the refacing will peel. The under MUST be finished. (We always use the example of a home builder telling you that you don’t need gutters. But the fact is that gutters are probably the most important items to have on your house. They prevent houses from settling, fascia boards rot and most importantly – foundation walls from cracking.)
Watch out for companies that try to save money by selling you an inferior drawer. Drawers that are nailed together are terrible. You probably have been dealing with these old doors for years.
Also watch out for refacing companies that have as an “option” full-extension “soft-close” glides. Soft-close full extension should be the norm when a kitchen is new.
When you call the office during normal business hours, does an answering machine answer? Answering machines can’t take care of immediate problems. The company you hire should have a full time staff that works Monday – Friday 9 to 5.
Judge the product and the company by the presentation and knowledge of the company representative. They should know the answers to almost all of your questions. If they don’t know the answer and need to make a cell phone call, be very cautious if they need to go outside to retrieve the answer. A good company representative should say, “I don’t know. Let me find out.” And they make the call in front of you.
These are just some of the “hot buttons” that should make you question whom you hire. Feel free to call our office and we will send you out a complete “Check List.”