The first project we want to spotlight is an impressive kitchen reface project done by Cynthia Hart.
1. Why did you decide to reface / remodel your kitchen? Or tell us about your custom project using our products.
Our Kitchen was 25 yrs old dark oak and we were ready to lighten it up and up date with out tearing out all the flooring and appliances. As they are only a few (3) years old. Click here to see before pics
2. Why did you choose to use rawdoors.com to purchase your materials from?
Found you on the internet. I would of never used Rawdoors.com however, you did everything right. Answered all my emails promptly. Sent samples that had the most beautiful grain and coloring. And your prices are very good. In addition, your internet site very easy to navigate. Love that.
3. Please describe your skill level going into the project:
We are not carpenters, for sure. But we always seem to start a project with professional bids and realize(think) we can do the same thing, for less.
4. Describe the remodeling process or a project overview. Please let us know if you built or installed new or additional cabinets, veneered existing cabinets, attached new end panels, stained or painted the doors / face frames /moldings, installed molding, installed new drawer boxes and glides or just hung new doors.
We did hire a finish carpenter to install the crown. And build out the center wall cabinets (the cream ones), and a bottom trash cabinet. (was an ugly open space for a desk). We also veneered 2 end panels(facing windows), kick plate, and edges where needed. The kitchen was a dark oak before and we could not get the stain to lift out of wood , so we covered it. The doors are a flush mount style. So, we had to have some milling done to adjust the square doors to the un-square-ness of the original cabinet boxes. (25 yrs old) Thank goodness I measure a smidge too big. We also had issues with the hinges fitting. Lots of tweaking going on.
5. What was the most difficult part of the project?
This was not an easy project. Hanging those doors were a nightmare to say the least. They are solid, solid wood and very heavy. It took two of us. And not one of the doors was perfect match to its cabinet box. So, each door had to be tweaked. (Not your fault, old cabinet boxes and improper measuring skills on my part) So, after we hung them we decided to get a carpenter to do the rest as we did not have any of the right tools or experience. That helped a ton and he was cheap $500.00
I can't see for sure what your reveals (space between doors and drawers) are from the pictures but they are very tight. This always make installation more difficult, even when installing brand new cabinetry. You guys did a great job though and your hard work paid off. The tight reveals provide a clean contemporary look.
--Big Country6. Please describe the finish process and stain, paint and / or clear coat materials used?
We just went with a natural finish. P&L Sanding sealer and P&L varnish, both alkyd base, satin finish. 2 coats. Hand sanding the first coat of each door. The painted doors are Benjamin Moore satin impervo, cream.
7. Were you able to achieve the results you desired?
Would we do this again? maybe. But time we will hire a carpenter from the start. I am sure it would of cost us all of 15 to $20000.00 to hire professionals installers. The cabinet bid for just the fronts replaced was I think 6000.00 and another 5000.00 for the counters. With the economy so askew, it was a smart thing to do right now and keep the extra bucks in the bank. And stuff out of the land fill.
We are still not finished. We will be getting to the counter tops this winter. The summer has been running our lives, so we have delayed them.
You maybe seeing another order from me in the future as we still need to finish the bar counter base when the new counters are installed. (someday)
Thanks for your great business and service.
8. Total project cost: $2,912
In the end, this cost us a little under 3000.00 total so far. See excel spread sheet for detailed costs.
As you can see everything had to be handled 2 or 3 times. Lighting wrong returned 2-3 times. Handles wrong returned multi time. Finaly order those over the internet, too! ( Home depot and Lowes products lacking any quality, as it looks like everything I brought home was made in China ! (That's another reason why I liked using your company. Made in America by Americans)
9. Estimated project savings vs. alternatives if known: $17,000
10. Anything else you would like to add?
My hobby is stained glass and I made installed the glass panels to resemble the stainless handles.
We also put in all kinds of lighting in cabinet and under. Used only LCD lighting as it does not heat up.
Crown molding was not thought out right should of left wood natural and not painted. (blends in with ceiling)
-Great recap, thanks for sharing your project with all of us. You did a fantastic job! -- Big Country
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