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Post by jalvis on Mar 4, 2015 10:55:46 GMT -5
Thats a great product your making. High quality for sure.
I've used some pre-finished birch for cabinets in the past but its such a rare sale. Birch ply in my area is $55ish a sheet and Melamine is closer to $20. Even if I show samples and core differences to the client they almost always choose Melamine. Most people I talk with want to upgrade the hardware or Finish before the box.
I like how you only offer one style. I might consider this method myself. Although I do find myself matching cabinets for clients that want to add to there existing space but for a new Kitchen I like the idea of a strict standard.
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R cash
Junior Member
Posts: 73 
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Post by R cash on Mar 5, 2015 0:05:34 GMT -5
In the county where I live there are at least 20 cabinet shops who do true 32 sys or face frame or both.
They only do cabinets an maybe some built ins. So to make cabinet in a one man shop I have to be different I do that by making a better product with more custom options . And produce a product that does not look "off the shelf" and does not look like every other kitchen out there. The cabinet making industry as a whole produces kitchens from the same 10 top cnc computer progrms that cost $5000 a year subscription. And with thermafused melamine door and drawer fronts they all start to look the same.
I visited a cabinet manufacture in Canada that made there own melamine as in cherry / maple / whatever you wanted a small job for this company was 250 whole kitchens. While I was there I watch a machine grab and glue up 3 panels with cherry color melamine on both faces at one time.
It was an eye opening to say the least.
I am lucky I do stairways/ timberframe and entry doors and kitchens the best is I comute about 15 steps to my shop.
Have a great day
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Post by 7 on Mar 5, 2015 0:47:56 GMT -5
There is a place for everyone IMO. I have a good friend who is an excellent painter. A house I would pay around $7,000.00 for a pretty good paint job would cost around $20,000.00 from him. Most (meaning the majority) are not willing to pay the cost and really wouldn't even if both jobs were shown in advance to the client and explained in detail. At the end of the day he stays really busy. His painted trim feels like plastic and you never see evidence of a nail hole anywhere and all lines are razor sharp. They have a process that includes several extra steps and they charge for it.
I do all types of work- high end to almost embarrassing. The client pays accordingly and are always satisfied. The crappy part is that many times I actually make more per hour on the basic jobs that are in & out.
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Post by mick on Mar 5, 2015 4:22:30 GMT -5
Cash your work is fabulous
I have to be honest I you's to do top end stuff but then things got really bad over here and I had 3 choices
1 emigrate
2 loos everything
3 do what ever work I could get
I went with option 3 and I have done all sorts of work but my wife and kids have a roof over their heads and get to do school trips and the other things they want. Thankfully things are starting to get better now and I think I made the right choice
Love your work and I genuinely hope it keeps coming in for you look forward to seeing more of your work
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Post by jalvis on Mar 7, 2015 14:28:58 GMT -5
I'm inspired by all different levels and styles of work. Cash has found a niche for his work but I think its important to remember this doesn't happen over night. Its a long process and it takes time to gain the skills, equipment, reputation, and clients. I have no doubt that my business will grow into a tighter and more discerning market but it will take patience. I'm enjoying the journey and not allowing pride to get in the way of my goals and necessities. Truth is I don't build a lot of cabinets. My work varies but there will be time when I make a similar move and offer a very specific level of quality and design.
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R cash
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by R cash on Mar 10, 2015 0:14:47 GMT -5
I was sure about what I wanted when I started to work at a custom door an sash shop in 1978. At the beginning of 5yr apprentiship it became pretty clear to me that quality in the woodworking industry was generally poor. Stair makers buying parts out of catalogs of big company's and lager cabinet company's cranking out cheapest possible product. At that point maybe 1980 there was no way I would ever be called a cabinet maker.
Later in my life I knew that I could make a better mouse trap so that's what I did. Trades people seeing me install my product would ask where did you buy that get curved walnut handrail or that trim on the door looks custom. When I replied that it was made by me generally they would be surprised. When it comes to cabinets I have only done 2 kitchens in 2 yrs sometimes it's timing then I will design it and have someone else build it. Ether way it's not hard to make or design something unique and "not off the shelf" you just have to think out of the box.
Most cabinet shops follow the same formula euro or face frame. Face frame cabinets drawers out in front catch every spill that happens and waste a lot space just pull out a drawer and look at how the slides are mounted. Euro or true 32 doors and drawers all mount inside face of the case but IMO the seams that you see every time you open drawers tacky .
Quality is contagious people will notice that's what Mafell has done. My typing is so slow I'm done.
Have a great day
Rc
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Post by jalvis on Mar 10, 2015 10:13:12 GMT -5
Your a great encourager to me. I talk with a lot of guys later in life who work in this industry and most of them are bitter about the outcome. I don't want to end up that way and Cash is a good example. Its great to learn more about your story.
Finished product photos are great but progress photos and construction images like the one you showed really help. Post more construction images in the future. It really helps to see methods that make a good product and sale.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Mar 10, 2015 13:13:36 GMT -5
very true what cash says I believe that thier is no point in trying to compete with the big boy on price point and offering the same as them. So better to go for the quality route and also offer a unique product , not readily available
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Post by GhostFist on Mar 10, 2015 18:35:20 GMT -5
I've always felt that the dominant industry has created a hole for talented custom work. it takes a little bit of educating the buying public on what quality is though, they forgot.
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Post by jalvis on Mar 11, 2015 10:50:56 GMT -5
I've always felt that the dominant industry has created a hole for talented custom work. it takes a little bit of educating the buying public on what quality is though, they forgot. Unfortunately its more than a little. Some will pay a bit more like 20% or less but most are only focused on the end result. Many people buy and sell houses around the 5 year mark so they never get to see what quality offers. |
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R cash
Junior Member
Posts: 73
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Post by R cash on Mar 16, 2015 22:16:23 GMT -5
5yrs is exactly what Home depot and Ikea think a kitchen should last.
Going through the energy and resources for such a short life span of a product m... ... Short sighted.
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Post by ohan on Mar 17, 2015 13:50:30 GMT -5
All you have to do is watch the home improvement shows where a client will walk into a brand new kitchen and say, "Well, this all has to go".
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