| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Cabinets Why is CDI a good place to shop? Although there are stores you could personally visit to assist you with your kitchen, bath or other home project, CDI is proud to provide not only the products you seek, but the service you want. Our buying power enables us to provide products at prices that are usually lower than even the big warehouse type stores. Also, working with us enables you to have "one stop shopping" and follow-up, saving you time and hassles. Let us bid your cabinet package, appliances, flooring and more. Like we say, "before you buy, call CDI."
 What's the difference between stock and semi-custom cabinets? This is a common question. It basically comes down to a matter of sizes, available options and price. Stock cabinets offer standard sizes (such as increments in widths of 3", or 15", 18", 21", etc.). Stock cabinets also offer less customization or available options, and they often (but not always) cost less. With semi-custom cabinets, you get a wider range of sizes (in width, depth, height, etc.), as well as greater flexibility and many more options for customizing the cabinets, without incurring truly custom prices. Very often, we'll use a combination of stock and semi-custom cabinetry to provide a very custom-look without the higher expense of custom products. We call this a "custom solution". How can I tell what the cabinets will actually look like in my home? Making sure you will be happy with the look and feel of your cabinets is very important. That's why we offer full-size samples for our customers to take home, touch, feel, look at in their lighting, and holdup with their paint chips, flooring colors, etc. It's important to us that you are completely happy with your choices. Also, our computer print-outs enable you to see - on paper - what your cabinetry will look like. Can CDI customize cabinets? We can and often do create many custom designs, and have created custom looks with our stock and semi-customer products, too, saving our customers time and money. What's the difference between standard overlay and full overlay doors? The difference is in how much the door covers - or overlays - the cabinet face. The images shown below help present this answer. The image on the left shows a standard overlay, which is a cabinet door that doesn't quite completely cover from top-to-bottom, left-to-right. The image on the right, is a full overlay, and - as you can see - the door fully covers the cabinet face underneath.
I don't want to have any handles on my cabinets. What do I need to know to be sure I order correctly? Handles are almost mandatory with full overlay doors (see images above), because there is not much - if any - room to get your fingers behind the doors to open them, so handles will keep fingerprints on the doors to a minimum and facilitate opening the door and drawers. If you're really set against handles and knobs, you'll either want a standard overlay, or a full overlay with a modified or beveled profile. Either would allow you to put your fingers in behind the doors and drawer faces to open the cabinets and drawers. How long does it take to get cabinets, once they are ordered? This varies, depending on the semi-custom sizes or options you may have chosen to create the look and functionality that you want. In general, however, we can get cabinets from as quickly as 1 - 2 days after they are ordered, to 6 - 8 weeks after ordering (for the very custom-type orders). How much do new cabinets cost per foot? Cabinetry is so diverse in wood species, door styles, finishes, construction, sizes, options and more that is it impossible to price by the foot. Back to FAQ Categories
Can countertop materials be mixed? I mean, can I have some solid surfacing and some butcher block? Yes, you can mix and match various countertop materials, and in doing so, will actually create a custom look that suits your styles and needs. For example, you could have mostly solid surfacing, with butcher block near cutting and prep areas and some natural stone near area for baking or putting down hot items from the stove or oven. Ask us about more design options. Can I cut on a Corian countertop? Corian is a renewable surface, and is made to last and look wonderful for a long time, however it can be scarred from a knife cut or marked by a hot pan. With your Corian purchase from CDI, we will provide you with a trivet for hot items or cutting on, instead of the Corian countertop. What are my options to "dress up" laminate countertops? There are many ways to "dress up" and customize the look of laminate countertops. There are different styles of edge treatments, edge shapes, inserts and more. Depending on the colors you have selected to work with and the style you want to achieve, we can show you many creative - and often low cost - options with laminates. Back to FAQ Categories
We want to remodel our kitchen, a bathroom, and eventually put in a family room entertainment center and area for a small home office. Help!? How can CDI help me do this, even it if takes a couple of years? How exciting and good for you for planning early! We will work with you to plan stages, understand budgeting and create a consistent look. What is a kitchen work "triangle" and why is it important? The work "triangle" is the area in the kitchen between the main cooking area (stove or cooktop), the refrigerator and the main sink. These three 'endpoints' form a 'triangle' in which the primary cook moves (unless you have a 'one-wall' kitchen). This triangle is important these are the key activities that occur in the kitchen -- food preparation, cooking and clean up. Being aware of this triangle, as well as keeping in mind the number of people that might also be working with the primary cook, and the other activities that may also occur in the kitchen, enables you to design a functional, and comfortable kitchen plan. Some kitchens are remodeled to incorporate additional triangles, such as a 2nd food preparation area, a serving area, baking areas, homework and household planning centers. Where's the best place to put a microwave? Like most placement type questions for a well-designed kitchen, it depends on how you and your family use the appliance. Some put it near the refrigerator, to quickly warm foods or thaw meats. Others will install their microwave in a snack preparation area, or the end of an island, so that those using the microwave do so away from the main cooking area. Consult with your CDI designer for the best location for your microwave in your kitchen. From a safety and accessibility standpoint, the microwave should ideally be placed so that the bottom of the appliance is 24" to 48" above the floor. Back to FAQ Categories
What can I do with a limited budget? Lots! There are things you can do with cabinetry, countertops and flooring that will cut down on the overall budget, but not impact the style or look that you want. As these options and cost-saving approaches are truly on a case-by-case basis, ask us for creative ways to work within your budget - we enjoy this kind of challenge! How much will it cost to remodel a kitchen or bathroom? The price for a kitchen or bathroom remodel will be affected by several things include a) where you buy your materials, b) what features you want, c) the brands/models of fixtures or appliances you select and d) what - if any - structural changes you might be wanting to make. Pricing for a kitchen remodel can range from $4,000 (if you do much of the work yourself) to over $100,000. On the average, a (sq. ft.??) kitchen will cost from $15,000 - $26,000, including the design, products and installation (but doesn't include any structural changes or the cost of moving appliance locations. Generally, bathroom prices average between $5,500 and $12,000 when you're replacing everything. Again, the cost can be lower or considerably higher depending on what you're looking for, the types of materials, any structural, electrical or plumbing changes, and any special labor needed. What makes a kitchen remodel either more or less expensive? Generally, cabinets account for roughly 50% of the total cost of your project and will therefore have the greatest impact on your budget. They range in price considerably based on quality, the type of material they are made of, and whether they are stock (ready made in specific sizes) or custom (produced specifically for your kitchen in whatever sizes are needed). The material you choose for surfaces including counters, backsplashes and floors can also account for wide variations in price, as natural stone (e.g., marble, granite, slate) are more expensive than laminates, however they tend to last longer, so there is a trade-off. Additional key elements that factors in to the equation are the skill and workmanship of the design and installation team. Like many industries, you tend to get what you pay for. It may cost a bit more to work with an experienced designer and skilled installation crew, however they may actually take less time, and you'll both see and appreciate their abilities every time you use your kitchen. How about a bathroom remodel: what makes it more or less expensive? Unlike a kitchen, no single element of a bathroom remodeling will generally take a much larger portion of the budget. Cabinets are one of the biggest parts of the budget, accounting for 34 percent of costs, on average. So, the type and quality of cabinets you select will affect your total costs. However, not surprisingly, fixtures (toilet, tub, etc.) and fittings (faucets) account for a good percentage in the bathroom, too, and these costs will vary depending on the brand, type of materials, and array of products you select. Installation typically accounts for about 25% of the total cost of a bathroom remodel, and this is because the work is fairly detailed, and there's less room. If you're looking to cut corners, this is usually not the place to do it, as the smaller room and intricate work (e.g., tile setting) means the details will be very noticeable. What kinds of things can I do myself to help keep costs down? How much you can or should try to do depends mostly on your timeframe, your abilities and your knowledge. Most people are able to tear out old cabinets (be careful not to damage walls and beams), even to use them elsewhere. In addition, many people choose to take up their old flooring, handle trash removal and do daily onsite clean-up (thus paying their remodeling crew to only perform skilled labor and construction). You could choose to paint, wallpaper and make or install the window treatments yourself. With other aspects of remodeling, however you're better off letting the professionals handle the plumbing, electrical and appliance hook-ups. Try these on your own and you could violate building codes or invalidate manufacturer warranties. With cabinet installation, every 1/32" counts, so let a professional installer put your new cabinets in so they'll look their best. What are the ways in which I can pay for a new kitchen or bathroom? Budget is the first thing to consider, and your source of funds help to dictate your boundaries. Although a remodel is an investment, only spend what you can really afford to spend. No matter how much you plan to spend, a budget is a very important component of a successful remodel. Some customers know when they are buying a home that they will be remodeling, and so they borrow the additional funds at that time. Other people tap the equity in their home with a home equity loan or line of credit. Still others use personal savings, or obtain a home improvement loan through a bank or other lending institution. No matter what your approach, our professional designers can help you understand the remodeling budget process, and make the most of your money. As for payment, there are a number of options, and we can help you work through your options with CDI. Back to FAQ Categories
We don't yet have a contractor to work with. What do you recommend? We work with many contractors over the years and are happy to recommend several you can contact if you are in southwest Washington. I already have a contractor I trust that I want to have install my cabinets; does this work? That's great! If you have someone that you already know and trust, we are happy to work with them. This is how we also meet new contractors. If we find that they handle clients with quality service and that their work is up to our standards, we have another resource for referrals, too. Back to FAQ Categories
What kind of flooring does CDI work with? Why? Just as we work with cabinetry designs and countertops for a variety of rooms and needs, we also offer a wide variety of flooring. We have carpeting, hardwood, laminates, tile and in a wide variety of styles, prices and manufacturers. With the wide variety of quality flooring products we represent, we can meet practically any flooring need our customers may have. We do this so we can best serve our customers' needs. I don't know about laminate flooring. Some people seem to like them, but will they really look good? Will they last? Laminate flooring products have come a long way in terms of quality, durability, options, installation, and looks. This is a product that must not only be seen to be understood, but we invite you to walk on, spill stuff on, try to scratch, and whatever else to more fully appreciate laminate flooring. Whether you've always wanted a slate floor, hardwood, or rustic tile, laminate flooring offers an amazing array of options at very affordable material and installation prices. Back to FAQ Categories
What kind of appliances can I get through CDI? Although we can get whatever appliance you want for probably the best price possible, we represent KitchenAid®, Whirlpool® and Roper® Appliances and can offer low prices for these high quality products. Why should I go through CDI, instead of an appliance store? Purchasing your appliances through CDI means a guaranteed fit with your CDI cabinetry. This means convenience and peace of mind for you because you can be sure that your refrigerator, oven, range, cooktop or other appliance will fit exactly the way they were designed. We'll also be sure to coordinate the delivery of the cabinets and the appliances for even greater convenience, so you won't have to store the appliances until the cabinets are ready. What about follow-up and service? How does CDI handle this? Each of the appliance companies we represent have excellent warranties and follow-up service. We provide our customers with all the follow-up information necessary, including toll free numbers, contact information, and more. If there is ever a problem with one of the appliances we represent, we'll help you get the service you need. Back to FAQ Categories
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