topic Re: Update kitchen cabinets in Home

Update kitchen cabinets

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:37:32 GMT

I have the color picked out for the cabinets I wanted to have painted, the designer at Sherwin Williams helped me.

Everyday white/cupboards and Realist Beige/walls.

Both colors look nice with the fireplace in the family room.

I just have to decide if I really want to paint the barn sided walls.

The cabinet painter told me he would contact me on Labor Day to set up an in home appointment...he did not, so I contacted him, with just 'following up'... he did reply right away that he had the flu and said he would get back with me in a few days...fast forward to today....I have not heard from him!

Now I need to decide to just forget the project or contact him again for the consultation. I don't want to cut my nose off to spite my face but why can't he get back with me!!!.

I live in a small area, the company I originally contacted (nearest large city) will not come to my area, to far, they recommended the person I have been dealing with. He has good recommendations and has been in business for quite some time....as a business owner for 40 years, my husband and I would never let a customer fall thru the cracks like he has done to me.

Just venting, but also a bit put out!

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

jlkz — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:48:39 GMT

If you can, check with the folks for whom he did work. Was this typical behavior on his part ?

How old is he ? Could he now be in bad health ?

I have gotten to a place where if a person shows / tells you who they are by their behavior, I believe them and make my choices from that point on.

Ask around....folks may give you other names unknown by the Sherwin William rep.

Since the kitchen is a key area in a house, I would not rely on this fellow unless living in an unfinished project for weeks at a time is okay by you. Too, it is adjacent to your family room....another key area. Don't open yourself up to this frustration.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

scatcat — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:51:24 GMT

I agree with @jlkz

If you do decide to go with him, I'd be hesitant to pay anything upfront

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:59:53 GMT

@scatcat @jlkz

The whole issue is so frustrating...like you mentioned I am now leary of him, he has been in business 25+ years.

He gave me three references, I called one and they would not reply, probably thought the call was spam, but I was very upfront about why I was calling when I left a message.

I will call the other number later.

I was anxious to do this project, my cupboards are in decent shape, they just need updated as they are 40+ years old, and I know I will live out my life in this house.

When you do not live in a large city or at least close by it makes it more difficult to get this type of project done.

thanks,

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

AuntG — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:07:14 GMT

I would encourage you to make one more appointment with him. If he was recommended (and the other place won't come out by you) maybe he gets super busy. However, if you go with him, I'd want specific dates and times when he'd be at your house.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

PickyPicky3 — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:57:07 GMT

I had kitchen cabinets painted in one house I owned but would not do it again. After a few years the newness faded.

A neighbor age 75 just renovated her kitchen designed for age-in-place. Top cabinets that lower; lower drawers instead of cabinets and lots of specialized custom features. Absolutely worth the investment.

****ETA: I should add that my painters were reliable, skilled, cute and friendly. I fixed one up on a date with a friend and they got married.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

On It — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:32:20 GMT

Be patient. We contacted four contractors to do our exterior. One never responded to our message. Another made an appointment, but stood us up. The third submitted a bid but rescinded it. The fourth whom we engaged for the job did excellent work, and we are very happy with the results.

A painting contractor painted a house down the street. She put a yard sign up while doing the work. The next week she was painting a house across the alley. Since that first house, she has done 5 homes in a two block radius. Everyone is trying to find skilled workers. (So many have gotten older and retired that they have left a void nationwide.)

You will find someone, but do not force the issue and get burned,

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Kachina624 — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:49:25 GMT

Painters are famous for being notoriously unreliable. I used to try to place them in jobs and heard some wild tales from people for whom they'd worked.

This man has shown you who he is. Believe him. Can the paint store recommend someone?

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:09:04 GMT

@PickyPicky3

Were your cabinets sealed (clear top coat) after being primed and painted?

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:13:23 GMT

My consultation with Sherwin Williams was virtual. I could call or stop into the store when I get to that town and ask if they recommend anyone.

The contractor recommends using S.W. or Benjamin Moore for the paint color but he uses a professional type

factory durable and scratch proof product to put on the cupboards.

....it is not a contractor coming to the house to 'paint' the cupboards.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

PickyPicky3 — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:21:00 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@PickyPicky3

Were your cabinets sealed (clear top coat) after being primed and painted?

This was over 30 years ago. It wasn't recommended by anyone I spoke with. That sounds like a good idea.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

geegerbee — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:13:03 GMT

When I wanted to update my cupboards last year, it was recommended Not to paint them. The paint wears off, especially around the handles. I went with a cupboard renewal which consisted of replacing the doors and drawers with real wood in white. The drawers were completely new, soft-closing drawers, not just face plates. The cupboard doors were also soft-closing. I am very satisfied with my choice. I wouldn't contact the painter who doesn't respond. Bet he wouldnt finish the job or it would take extra long. I would go to Sherwin Williams or a lumber company and ask for a recommendation for a kitchen cupboard renewal company. I used Kitchen Tune-Up, but there are several others. Do not go with a company that just uses a veneer--make sure it is real wood they are replacing the doors with.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

sometimesQVCaddict — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 23:46:22 GMT

I don't care how "in demand" someone is. Or how long they've been in business. Or how many 5 star reviews they have. You should have the common decency to get back to a client. I can forgive one time, but not twice. If you can't respect me or my time, I'm going elsewhere-but that's how I'd handle things.

You did mention living rural?? And not many choices?? Even still that is no excuse in my book. Thankfully I have tons of choices if a contractor or estimator annoys me, is crooked, not respectful of my time, or doesn't respect me. I'm not handing money over to anyone like that.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

BlueFinch — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 00:09:04 GMT

With almost every project I've had involving painters, there have been issues. Poor communication and reliability, with a clock timezone hours off from mine. They definitely are in their own head zone.

I used to get upset with them, too, telling my husband I thought they'd been inhaling too many paint fumes. Of course, it didn't help for them to take lunch and return with a large beer in a brown paper bag. Oh yes, stories to tell here...

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

sometimesQVCaddict — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 02:02:54 GMT

I've found reliable companies for some project types but am searching for others & it is hard, but I'll persist till I find good ones!

If someone showed up with a beer after their lunch or any break I'd send them home for the day. Period. That's not appropriate or showing a good work ethic in my opinion. Same with smoking, not in my home or on my property. I'm not having my home smell like a stinky cigarette. Besides, I actually break out in hives if around it too much. If you can't follow those basic rules (plus a few others) I'm moving on to someone else!! You want me to pay you good money? Than respect my home & be courteous!

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Trailrun23 — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 02:54:45 GMT

I had a painting company recommended to me and they did a great job doing most of my interior....especially removing old popcorn on some ceilings....they were supposed to come back three weeks later to do the bathroom...no-show...so I called and the owner apologized and said he had written down the wrong date and we rescheduled...no show again. I am done with him, I am not chasing him down to work for me...but now can't find a competent bath and tile person anywhere. Was so close to being finished! I hate this! BTW, we did alabaster by Sherwin Wms and bright reflective white on ceilings...love them both.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Jaspertimes — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:46:45 GMT

@geegerbee wrote:
When I wanted to update my cupboards last year, it was recommended Not to paint them. The paint wears off, especially around the handles. I went with a cupboard renewal which consisted of replacing the doors and drawers with real wood in white. The drawers were completely new, soft-closing drawers, not just face plates. The cupboard doors were also soft-closing. I am very satisfied with my choice. I wouldn't contact the painter who doesn't respond. Bet he wouldnt finish the job or it would take extra long. I would go to Sherwin Williams or a lumber company and ask for a recommendation for a kitchen cupboard renewal company. I used Kitchen Tune-Up, but there are several others. Do not go with a company that just uses a veneer--make sure it is real wood they are replacing the doors with.

I did the same and actually, the paint quote was just a two or three hundred less than getting new doors and drawer fronts and soft closure. He painted the cabinet boxes. Looks great, like I spent a lot more than I did, although it was far from cheap.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:47:48 GMT

@Jaspertimes I am having trouble finding a company close by that will come to my area to quote new fronts....

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Jaspertimes — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:02:13 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Jaspertimes I am having trouble finding a company close by that will come to my area to quote new fronts....

i discovered mine accidentally when my daughter was getting work at her house, so i agree with you it's hard to find people.

Re: Update kitchen cabinets

Hoovermom — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 21:42:11 GMT

Have you tried "NextDoor"?