Kitchen Associates (KA) provided our cabinets for a kitchen remodel, and they subcontracted the counter tops and sink. However, the cabinets themselves were primarily installed by a different construction contractor we hired separately who also recommended KA to us. Because of damage to the carousel doors that occurred when the cabinets were delivered, KA also provided the labor to replace these doors after the cabinets were initially installed. | |The cabinets, themselves, are from the Brookhaven line made by Wood Mode, and are of hardwood in the Edgemont recessed facing, finished in natural maple. The Brookhaven line is a factory finished line of excellent quality, including multi-adjustable and self-closing hinges and glides on all doors and drawers. The counter tops are of Silestone quartz (engineered stone) provided and installed by National Stone Corp. | |The sales experience was a little challenging in that it took us a while to make some of our initial priorities properly known to the salesman and designer (the same person). For example, although we made clear that we wanted a higher quality line, we somehow forgot to mention up front that we wanted hardwood cabinets, and it was only at the point where we began making our cabinet order that we asked and realized that the salesman had shown, and was ordering us, cabinet units built from particle board. Even then, the salesman wanted to continue selling us particle board for some reason (perhaps a higher profit margin?), extolling its features and longevity, while admitting that he had sold hardwood to clients who insisted on it. It took us another couple of days to realize what a mistake the particle board was (recalling our experience with it in the bathroom) and we then insisted on changing the order to hardwood. We had a similar experience with the selection of handles, where we initially wanted appropriately-sized bar handles of a common style, and the salesman recommended a different style that he thought would work better for us, which we agreed to order. | |As it happened, our remodeling contractor took a few months to start the project. When the cabinets were finally delivered, we saw that we really wanted the original handle style, because we were already happy with it from a prior project and found the ordered handles lacking. Fortunately, the handles were not attached prior to delivery and we decided to ask the salesman if they could be exchanged in their unopened packages with replacements to our specification. He was able to negotiate with the handle maker to exchange them, all be it with a restocking penalty. We couldn't be happier with the result. | |We had similar interactions reviewing and changing the design of the cabinet configuration. However, in the end, we ended up with something that very much meets our needs. In general, we found the salesman/designer very helpful, although somewhat prone to suggesting rather than asking exactly what we were looking for from the beginning. | |It probably would have been helpful had KA provided us a checklist to narrow down the features we wanted from the beginning, and then suggested alternatives to consider. Again, we already had a fair idea of what we wanted, but we kind of forgot some of it as we became overwhelmed by the choices available and other life stresses at the time. Although we love the result we have, we probably would have chosen a different cabinet facing style that was a little bit cleaner, but also a bit more expensive. Ultimately, we should have written down everything we wanted at the beginning and carried it in with us so we did not have to rethink and second guess ourselves so much during the sales process. | |As with so many large projects, be prepared before you go in, no matter who you are buying from. | |Note that the approximate cost above includes an estimate of our final bill (of three) from KA, which has not yet arrived. It also includes only the cost of the cabinets, counter tops (installed), and sink (installed), but does not include the cost of the cabinet installation and other kitchen remodeling work, including plumbing and electrical, provided by our construction contractor, which is a fair amount in addition to the cost estimate from KA. | |