A: Once the final choices have been made on the products and materials you are using, meet with your designer and/or contractor to discuss the installation schedule. This process is determined by the lead times of various materials and the scope of the work.

A standard schedule starts with a complete tear-out. Any structural modifications happen first, followed by installation of windows and doors, plumbing and electrical modifications, drwall installation, painting floor covering installation, cabinet installation, countertops, appliance installation, plumbing and electrical hook-up, finally concluding with a grand dinner party.

 Q: What process should I expect a professional designer to follow?

A: A designer will typically:

• Visit your home to take measurements
• Create a design and draft floor plans, elevations and perspectives
• Develop a detailed cost estimate
• Order products and materials
• Coordinate work with construction, plumbing and electrical contractors
• Oversee the installation and placement of the cabinets and other design elements

Be sure to clarify up front who will be responsible for the contractors. Some design firms will coordinate the contractors’ work only after you have selected and come to separate agreements with each. The design firm may make recommendations for which contractors you should use, but it may not have its own employees who perform these jobs.

CABINETRY

DesignRight represents three lines of fully custom cabinetry, each with its own distinct forte. Quality Custom Cabinetry, our high-end custom manufacturer, will satisfy discriminating expectations with finely-detailed, furniture-like cabinetry, and a selection of out-of-the-ordinary door styles, finishes and wood species. Tedd Wood, our mid-range custom manufacturer, produces beautifully-crafted, traditionally-styled cabinetry using a variety of construction techniques. National Forest Products, our mid-to-lower range custom manufacturer, works only with frameless construction and offers a wide range of materials from which to select a finish.

Following is additional information on the manufacturers that we represent:

QUALITY CUSTOM CABINETRY

Since its inception in 1968, Quality Custom’s goal has been to provide furniture-like cabinetry using only the finest raw materials available. From Old World styling to Eclectic to Contemporary, Quality is able to authentically deliver whatever look best suits your tastes. Located in the heart of Amish Country in New Holland, PA, Quality Custom is one of the best values in the high-end cabinetry market today. Unlike most other manufactuers, they do not upcharge for wood species or inset door construction. Plus, they offer an incredible selection of door styles, mouldings and accessories. Their ads are seen frequently in magazines, such as Architectural Digest.

Plywood cabinet construction is face frame only, with 3/4″ shelves. Wall cabinets are 13-1/2″ deep as a standard. Drawer boxes are 5/8″ thick solid maple with dovetail corners. Drawer slides are ball-bearing-concealed full-extension with soft-close action. Quality Custom Cabinetry comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Lead time averages 13-15 weeks.

WEBSITE: www.qcc.com

TEDD WOOD, INC.

Tedd Wood is a quality-driven custom cabinet manufacturer located in Thompsontown, PA. By limiting their selection of “bells and whistles”, while still producing a beautiful, well-built product, they have established a price point well below that of most high-end manufacturers. A variety of premium quality woods and finishes are available in hand-wiped stains, enamels, glazing, antiquing and accenting, with classic door style selections that have broad appeal.

Plywood cabinet construction is face frame only, with 3/4″ thick shelves. Wall cabinets are 13″ deep as a standard. Drawer boxes are 5/8″ solid wood with dovetail corners. Drawer slides are undermounted full-extension with soft-close action. Tedd Wood, Inc. comes with a 10-year Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Lead time averages 8-10 weeks.

WEBSITE: www.teddwood.com

LUXURY LINE by Tedd Wood

Luxury Line is Tedd Wood’s frameless custom cabinetry line. The selection of door styles, wood species and finishes is not as extensive as their framed line, yet it is still diverse enough to satisfy those with price-sensitive budgets.

Construction features doweled and glued 3/4″ particleboard material on all tops, bottoms and sides, with the option to upgrade to plywood construction. Interiors are maple melamine and finished sides are cherry or maple veneer. Drawer boxes are dovetailed 5/8″ solid wood which glides smoothly on undermounted drawer slides, with an optional soft-close feature.

Luxury line comes with a 10-year Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Lead time averages 6-8 weeks.

WEBSITE: www.teddwood.com

 NATIONAL FOREST PRODUCTS

NFP is a small, custom cabinetry manufacturer located in Marienville, PA. They produce a very affordable frameless product with an amazing variety of doorstyles and finishes available in wood, thermofoil, melamine, high-pressure laminate, lacquer, and high-gloss polyester.

Cabinetry is constructed of glued and doweled 5/8″ thick, 45-lb-density industrial board, with the option of upgrading to 3/4″ plywood construction. Interiors are white or birch melamine with 5/8″ thick shelves. Drawer boxes are 5/8″ glued and doweled melamine. They can be upgraded to wood boxes with dovetailed corners. Drawer slides are self-closing epoxy-coated steel with captive nylon rollers and can be upgraded to tandem undermount full-extension with or without a soft-close feature.

National Forest Products comes with a 5-year Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Lead time averages 5-7 weeks.

COUNTERTOPS

Countertops can be had in whatever material suits your fancy and your budget. When choosing, you should take into consideration the wearability factor. Some materials are most susceptible to staining, burning, scratching or knife damage, and may not be repairable. Your designer can advise you as to the appropriateness of the application with regard to your lifestyle.

Available materials:

     1. NATURAL STONE

• • Granite
  • Marble
  • Soapstone
  • Limestone
  • Slate

      2. ENGINEERED STONE

• • Silestone
  • Caesarstone
  • Zodiak
  • Technistone

3. SOLID SURFACE

• • Corian
  • Avonite

4. METAL

• • Stainless Steel
  • Copper

5. WOOD

• • Butcher Block
  • Domestic Hardwoods
  • Exotic Hardwoods

6. CONCRETE

7. GLASS

Our services include:

• An in-depth client survey to determine your lifestyle, tastes, budget and objectives, so we can customize a design plan that fits your specific needs
• Production of detailed working drawings, including floorplans, elevations and perspectives
• Guidance in the selection of cabinetry, countertops, hardware and accessories designed to fit your investment parameters
• Recommendations of appliance choices to be purchased from your dealer of choice
• Management and coordination of project execution, working with our talented group of contractors or your own

 In sum, we were pleased with the quality and service DesignRight provided and would recommend you to anyone who is designing a kitchen. Feel free to give our name and number to anyone who would like to speak to a satisfied customer.”

Thank you so much for your work on my wonderful kitchen. I look forward to other collaborations in the future.”

 Overall, I am thrilled with the results and friends who have gone through similiar renovation projects are amazed when they learn how fast and smooth my project went. The next time I undertake another bath or kitchen renovation, I’ll make just one call to Sandy Payne at DesignRight.”

Congratulations on your very high standards of service (and for ending up under the estimate!) A heartfelt thanks to all of you.”

1. Consultation with a designer:
   Our first step toward working with you is to provide a consultation in our showroom, where we’ll discuss your needs and vision. If you provide us with measurements, a floor plan or construction drawings, we can give you a preliminary estimate of costs before you leave.
2. Design development:
   Once you’ve selected us as our design partner, we’ll complete a comprehensive survey and prepared detailed working drawings, making revisions as needed until you are completely satisfied.
3. Product selection:
   DesignRight represents and exclusive selection of upscale custom cabinetry manufacturers and offers counter tops in a wide array of materials. We work closely with our clients to choose the best solutions to their lifestyles and needs.
4. Project management:
   We oversee and manage every aspect of your installation, leveraging close working relationships with a select group of contractors whom we trust to perform above and beyond your expectations.