10 Questions to Ask Your Cabinet Company

Before you finalize your cabinet order, below are 10 questions I suggest you ask to avoid any surprises.

1.    Are you insured?

2.    Do you have any professional affiliations or certifications?

3.    May I have a list of references from past completed projects?

4.    Ask yourself if you are comfortable with this person and company being in your home?

5.    Do you communicate well with the designer and do they "get" your vision?

6.    Do they have a concrete grasp of your project and have they shown they can listen to you and your ideas?

7.    Is the price you've been given firm or subject to escalation?

8.    What is your warranty?

9.    How long have you been in business?

10.  How often do you stick to your agreed upon installation schedule?

I hope these questions are helpful for you and help you avoid any unfortunate experiences.

Have questions or another question to add to this list? 

Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Under Cabinet Lights

Whether you are getting ready to do a complete kitchen remodel, build a new house or add a tile backsplash, now is the time to think about under cabinet lights. Mounted on the bottom of wall cabinets, these small fixtures add an amazing amount of task lighting and ambiance at night. Low profile LED tape light is all we use these days. It's simple to install, provides nice, even light and is long lasting.

The best way to install them is to have one switch to control all of the under cabinet lights. That requires a wire under every wall cabinet that is controlled by one switch. When you are building a new home, remodeling your kitchen or before you add a tile backsplash, that is the time to wire for it. Once that tile is on the wall, you don’t want to tear into that to get the wires in the right location. But a good electrician can work around a tile backsplash. I wasn't smart enough to put under cabinet lights in my kitchen before putting up my tile backsplash. But recently Blue Moon Electric worked their magic and now I have under cabinet lights. I LOVE them! And can't imagine why it took me so long to get them put in.

Yes, they may be nice but how much do they cost? Depending on how much footage you need and if you decide to do it yourself or hire someone to install them for you, you could be looking at a couple hundred dollars or a couple thousand dollars. Didn’t budget for this? Take my word for it and spend the extra money to include this. Maybe that means saving up for a couple more months before you begin your project or sacrificing in another area. Just do it. You will not be sorry.

Have more questions? Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com

Seal or No Seal?

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is “I really like granite, but don’t I have to seal it a lot?” My answer is an emphatic “No!” Let’s explore some of the reasons to seal your granite and what it takes to complete the simple process and keep your granite investment looking great for many years to come.

Granite is one of the hardest stones and not subject to etching by household cleaners or scratches by knives or pots and pans being drug across the surface. According to the Marble Institute of America, both prior to and after the availability of sealer for granite, no cases of food poisoning, radon or food preparation issues associated with sealed or unsealed granite have been reported. Its natural resistance to bacteria makes it a perfect choice for kitchen countertops. If you clean your tops after each meal, you should not have any issues. A mild soap and water is all that is really needed. Keep in mind that different procedures and cautions are needed when you have marble, travertine, limestone or other porous materials for your countertops.

When we purchase granite from Bella Maria, they install the granite pre-sealed. Yay! This means less work for the homeowner right off the bat. That sealer is good for two to three years. They recommend sealing your tops every two to three years after that. Choose a good quality sealer, which you can purchase from Bella Maria. It is a liquid that can be poured or wiped onto your granite. Let it sit and soak in for a few minutes and easily wipe up any excess. It will dry quickly and be ready for use. If you have any questions on application, always consult the manufacturer of your sealer or the fabricator of your countertops. A benefit of sealing your granite is further reduction of moisture migration into an already moisture resistant material. DuPont also makes a cleaner, Revitalizer, that is a cleaner and sealer in one so you are resealing your granite at the same time you are cleaning it. This can be purchased at Traditions in Tile.

See, it’s easy and not something to be frightened by. Go ahead. Invest in a countertop that can outlast you and enjoy the beauty that granite adds to your kitchen. Have questions? Email me at jessica@webbercoleman.com