Indianapolis cabinet builder talks about custom kitchens

Q: Is there a type of wood that makes the best kitchen cabinets?

A: It really depends on what you're making and what the client wants. A simple cabinet is generally made of maple or cherry and has whatever finish the client wants.

Q: Are there any style or design trends you've observed lately?

A: I've noticed more requests for custom finishes. A lot of people want a painted finish that's distressed and glazed.

Q: How long does it take to make cabinets for a kitchen?

A: It depends on the clients. If the design decisions are made quickly, it usually takes about six to eight weeks. I did the Mission-style bookcase, office area and kitchenette in the lower level of the annual St. Margaret's Hospital Guild Decorators' Show House & Gardens home last year. That homeowner took the time to go over things with me and approved the design in 10 days - which allowed the process to go quickly. Other clients take a lot longer.


Q: How do you charge for your services, and what is the average cost?

A: I don't have set pricing, because everything I do is custom. The size, materials, finishes and door styles are all unique to each project and determine the cost. I go over everything with the client then produce drawings and get everything down [on paper] before I do pricing. Most custom jobs can be around $40,000 to $50,000.

Q: Is there something about your profession that might surprise people?

A: How many different ways you can build a cabinet. If you ask 12 guys to build you a cabinet of a certain size, you would end up with 12 different cabinets. Whether it be the joints or the materials, everyone builds them differently. I also think people don't realize how much planning goes into it. Remodeling a kitchen is tricky and you can run into things you don't expect. When I start the design process with my clients, some of them don't understand why I'm asking so many questions, but planning ahead is important to make sure everything goes perfectly. B