Home Design FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions On Kitchen And Bathroom Design and Remodeling Services
Pre-Construction
Can I meet with you for free before paying a retainer?
Absolutely, we’d love & expect to meet with you in our studio before we take a retainer.
Can you give me an estimate before paying a retainer?
Absolutely. We don't feel comfortable taking a retainer before we understand the scope of work involved.
Why do you charge a design retainer?
We want to dedicate time to your project. Each design we create requires a lot of thought, execution and time. We don't want to waste your time, or ours.
What if I already have a contractor or want to DIY my project?
Awesome, we'd love to work with you on your project and provide materials and installation if needed. We can also act as your general contractor, if you need one.
What should I bring with me to the initial in showroom consultation?
We love it when you bring pictures of your existing space, rough dimensions, inspirational photos, and your creative vision.
What should I be doing before we meet?
Consider your budget. Think about what you're comfortable spending and what's realistic for your project. Our pricing guide is a great place to start.
How do I Start?
Give us a call at (205) 366-0807 and set up a free, no-obligation, no pressure, showroom consultation to discuss your project or you can schedule online.
Who does the layout & space planning for my remodel project?
We have our own team of kitchen and bath designers in house. We'll assign you a designer during your initial consultation who we feel meets your design aesthetic.
How much is my remodel going to cost?
Remodeling costs can vary greatly depending upon fixtures, finishes, and the scope of work involved. Our average kitchen remodeling cost over the past two years is $72,500. Size and scope of work will greatly impact pricing. We've done kitchen remodels in excess of $250,000. Our average master bathroom remodels typically runs $46,000 and a typical hall bathroom remodeling averages $27,500.
Do you offer financing?
We do not offer in-house financing, but we would be happy to discuss options for your project.
How are you different & who’s your competition?
We're a one-stop shop. We do the design work, spec the products, and carry out the construction. We also have a showroom. Our main competitors are small shop-built cabinet makers. Our business is unique in that we are equipped to handle every aspect of your project.
What are the steps in the design process?
Our design process consists of five steps. They include:
Step 1: Initial Showroom Visit
Step 2: In-Home Design Consultation
Step 3: Preliminary Review Meeting
Step 4: Design & Selection Phase
Step 5: Construction & Installation Phase
Learn More About Our Process
Why do I have to pay a deposit on the project after I’ve already paid a design retainer?
The design retainer is applied to your project once we've signed a contract, and is deducted from your final payment. The deposit sets the project into motion.
I really love marble, can I use it for my kitchen countertops?
Yes. But beware, marble can stain and etch. We take every precaution to protect your marble and can include a dry treat sealer, which really protects it from staining but doesn't protect against etching. Part of the beauty of marble is that it ages over time. If this is something that appeals to you, then go for it! If not, we have many other countertop materials to choose from.
I want to add cabinets to my existing kitchen. Can you match the finish?
Yes, we can, but it is a lengthy and expensive process to get an accurate match. We have to send out a sample of your existing finish for color matching. This can take 6 to 8 weeks in addition to cabinet production time.
I just want to change out the doors on my cabinets, can you do this?
Yes, but many times our clients decide to totally replace their cabinets because of design modifications to the space. The cabinet doors are the most expensive element of the cabinet and we can never get the finish the quality we would like inside your home.
Why do you create good, better, best pricing?
The reason is that we want to offer our clients a product to fit every budget.
How do I know what my project will cost?
After our initial consultation in our showroom, we'll schedule a time to come to your home and discuss the scope of your project. After we've talked about your project, we create a good, better, best estimate to give you an idea of the project costs.
What do your cabinets cost per foot?
We get this question often, and the per-foot pricing methodology is an old school technique. With custom design, we don't price out kitchens by the foot. They're drawn in a CAD program and priced per job.
You quoted "XYZ" for our project but we only want to spend "XYZ" what should we do?
Don't jump the gun! Wait, save and spend your money to get exactly what you want when you can afford it. A kitchen remodel is an expensive project and it's best to do it once and get exactly what you want.
After The Contract Is Signed
How long does a typical kitchen remodel take?
Eight to ten weeks.
How long does a typical bathroom remodel take?
Six to eight weeks.
Do my products have a warranty?
Absolutely! Each of our manufacturers has a specific warranty offered on their products. Please ask your designer to furnish them for you.
How long does it take my cabinets to be built?
Typically our good products – 4 to 5 weeks, our better products 5 to 6 weeks, and on our best products 6 to 12 weeks. Due to current supply chain shortages we are experiencing delayed lead times.
What happens after I sign a contract?
We put the materials and product into production, get estimated delivery dates, then create a start date. We want to keep stress on you and your family at a minimum, so we plan and schedule your project to be as efficient as possible while we are in your home.
Who will be at my house while it’s being remodeled?
Your project manager (who you will meet before construction begins), our in house carpenters, and various subcontractors including plumber and electrician.
What do we need to do before demolition day?
We have a high level of trust in our team, but we advise you to lock up your valuables, safely pack any fragile items, and move furniture and accessories out of the work zone. We'll work with you to set up a temporary kitchen to create as little impact on your lifestyle as possible. Then just relax! We take every precaution to keep your home clean, including dust filtration. Understand that our goal is to make as small of an impact as possible on your daily life. Our team is on the job with the ultimate goal of getting the work done, and exceeding your expectations!
Miscellaneous
Can I buy just cabinets from Toulmin Kitchen & Bath?
Absolutely! Give us a call at (205) 366-0807.
What products does Toulmin Kitchen & Bath sell?
Cabinetry, countertops, closet systems, flooring and backsplash tile, hardwood flooring, cabinet hardware, windows and doors, and much more. Stop by our studio and see for yourself!
Why do you sell three lines of cabinetry?
So we can meet any budget for our clients.
Do you sell countertops only?
Absolutely. We call them a partial remodel and many times we're asked to add a tile backsplash to complete the transformation.
What are the best countertops for my kitchen?
Quartz is the number one seller, however granite, marble and soapstone are popular as well.
What appliance brands do you recommend?
For our modest budget projects we like the GE Cafe line, for our upper-end clients you can't beat SubZero and Wolf.
Can I pay my bill with a credit card?
Yes, but we charge a 3% processing fee.
When is my bill late?
Our payment terms are NET 10 days. Your bill is considered late after ten days.
What are your cabinets made of?
All wood. They are solid wood construction. Some of our competitors sell MDF or Fiberboard cabinets. All of our cabinets are solid wood construction unless noted otherwise.
Why don’t you sell appliances?
We prefer to pass the savings on to our clients for appliances and let them deal directly with Ferguson as they offer the best prices, excellent service and work closely with service providers in our market.
I have an appliance that isn’t working. Who should I call?
Call Ferguson and they'll be happy to schedule a service call.
Do I really need double ovens?
It really depends on the size and layout of your kitchen, but if the space is available, it is a worthy investment.
Is an over the range pot filler necessary?
This question depends on the size of your kitchen and the type of cooking you do. If your range isn’t close to your primary sink and you cook a lot of pasta or soup, a pot filler may be right for you!
What is a pot filler?
It's a secondary water source, designed to be used directly at the cooking surface to fill large stock pots.
How are my cabinets drawers built?
All of our drawers are made from solid wood and we use dovetail joinery on all of our custom cabinet drawers. Occasionally, we will use a plywood drawer for more budget-conscious projects, but the drawer type will be noted on your contract.
What kind of paint do you use on your cabinets?
Catalyzed conversion varnish. Even if you don't buy your cabinets from us, avoid other finishes like lacquer. Watch out for manufacturers who call their finish “pre-catalyzed.” Our cabinets are sprayed in multiple layers, with a catalyzing agent, then baked at high heat to infuse the pigment into the open pores of the wood giving you a superior and longer-lasting finish.
If you don’t build your cabinets there at your shop aren’t they inferior cabinets?
Absolutely not. In the past, there's been a negative connotation around factory-manufactured cabinetry. We work with the top manufacturers who adhere to the highest quality standards in the industry. Our products are all custom built, solid wood construction with warranties that are some of the best in the industry.
How are you different than the big box stores?
We're a design-centric company and have a team of qualified professional interior designers on staff that are excellent at planning your space, and have a greater understanding of custom kitchen and bath design. The products we sell are much higher-quality than the box stores and we also handle the design, construction, and installation for your project in house.
Do you ever recommend a client not do a project?
Yes. We really work with our clients to make sure they're spending their money wisely and maximizing their ROI. We want to make sure that if the time comes to sell their home they receive a great return on their investment.
We’re only going to live in this house for 3-5 years. How can we make it look better without spending a ton of money?
We tell our clients that a partial remodeling, or countertop and backsplash change can make the biggest impact. Of course, a fresh coat of paint can really help too!