Our custom cabinet lines are Rutt, Corsi, and Plain & Fancy. Medallion, a semi-custom cabinet, is an affordable alternative to the custom lines we carry if budget is a top priority. It is also an excellent choice to be used in areas such as the laundry or children's baths. 

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2.  How long does it take to do a kitchen?
  

Each job is different. Sometimes the selection process itself takes weeks or even months. Other times all decisions are made very rapidly. Once this hurdle is overcome and the cabinets are on order, we stockpile all other components in our storage area so that when the cabinets arrive everything is ready to go. Most cabinet deliveries take 12 to 14 weeks. Once we start a job, we will work as steadily as we are able, given the coordination challenges of the various subcontractors required for your job. There will be down times as it is impossible to be assured that each sub will complete their portion of the work on any given day. Our promise to you is that we will stay attentive to your project until it is complete. Some smaller jobs are done in two to three weeks; other larger jobs can take as long as several months.

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3. What happens to all of the old "stuff " that comes out of our home?

If you can use parts of it in your basement, garage or want to give it to a friend for a cottage, we ask that you work with us as it comes out . This allows you to know how it goes back together again. If it is usable and you do not want to deal with it, we will see that it goes to an organization called "Builder's Abundance", a not-for-profit group helping folks on a limited income. Otherwise, we remove everything and properly dispose of it.

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4. How much does a kitchen cost?

Like cars or weddings or vacations the range of budgets is wide. A small kitchen using our entry-level products can be remodeled for $30,000 to $35,000. Larger kitchens using custom products can reach over $100,000. Knowing your investment capabilities and relative value of your home are good indicators of a wise dollar investment. In new construction, a rule of thumb is that approximately 10 to 15% of the total market value should be allocated for custom cabinetry.

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5. Why should I pay a design retainer to you when others will design my kitchen for free?

Needless to say, this is your option. However, it is simple logic that if 20 to 30 clients want a room designed, we will be unable to give each of those jobs the dedicated time, talent and care required to create a plan that meets our level of standards or your expectations. Multiple members of our design team labor over each of our plans for many hours assuring you of a look and function that will satisfy your wishes. The payment of a design retainer assures you of priority service. In addition, the entire amount that you pay for such services is credited back to your account when you purchase kitchen cabinetry for your home from Kitchens by Stephanie, Ltd., (a minimum purchase is required). Our Design Services Agreement explains the different levels of design services which we can provide. Our basic fee starts at $1000.

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6.  Why can't I keep the plans that the designer prepared for my design retainer?

Your floor plans and elevations are always available to review in our showroom. Your designer will prepare perspective drawings, which will give you three-dimensional views of your proposed project, and these drawings can be taken home and are yours to keep. Floor plans and elevations are the drawings that will eventually be used to specify exactly how your cabinets and related products are to be installed. Final engineering is not completed until all decisions are made and a contract has been signed. Because of this, we do not release floor plans until a job is sold. Once you have purchased your project, you will be given a complete set of plans. These plans will be stamped "Preliminary-Not for Installation." Once the manufacturer has acknowledged the cabinetry order, a final set of installation drawings will be prepared and will be provided to you and your installer.

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7. Why are the plans for my kitchen copyrighted?

There are two reasons your plans are copyrighted. First, each kitchen or custom cabinetry project we work on is unique and will never be duplicated in the future. This guarantees that your project is a one-of-a-kind original. Second, because the plans are the technical engineering directions on how the project should be carried out, it is important that Kitchens by Stephanie, Ltd., be involved in implementing the plan. Copyrighted plans cannot be legally used by another firm to execute your project. 

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8. What assures me of a job that will be completed to my satisfaction?


At Kitchens by Stephanie, Ltd., all of our workmanship and materials are warranted. Our products all carry factory warrantees and our labor is warranted for a full year after completion. This guarantees you a completed project that is going to meet your most exacting standards. In the words of one of our major suppliers "You expect the best and we never settle for less".

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9.  Do you do refacing of existing cabinets?


No we do not. There are several competent companies in our area that specialize in this kind of work and they are better able to serve your needs in this regard.

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10. How far from the Grand Rapids area do you work?
 

We have done design work as far south as Key West , as far west as Colorado and as far east as Vermont. The key to successful "long distance design jobs" is an excellent working relationship involving the builder, the homeowner and the designer/cabinet provider. With the advent of the sophisticated communication devices that we have at our disposal today, we can work almost anywhere that shipping is available from our suppliers. 

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11. Do you do laminate counter top replacements?


No, again, simply because of time constraints. Our installation crews are booked months in advance based on the availability of custom cabinetry for full service jobs.

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12.  Will you design a kitchen for me that my builder wants to build?


At the risk of being a "negative Nellie" I must again say no. To assure our clientele of the best possible results we feel it necessary to control the entire process. The one exception to this is when we design a kitchen and supply cabinets only. All other aspects of the job then become the responsibility of the builder, remodeler or the homeowner and we require an "installed by others" agreement which details the responsibilities of that installation.

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13. Do you sell appliances? 


Our agreements with our appliance manufacturers stipulate that we sell their products in complete kitchen installations only. For replacement appliances, we recommend that you visit one of Grand Rapids excellent appliance dealers.

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