Author Archives: kitsmediatech

NOT ALL WARRANTIES ARE EQUAL

Understanding your warranties

A warranty with your purchase provides peace of mind, as well as a level of confidence in the quality of a product. It assures the consumer that any additional costs for repairs or replacement will be limited to the conditions of the warranty. More specifically, a warranty covers who to contact, what is covered, length of coverage, the conditions of coverage and/or the conditions that void coverage. It’s wise to review anything that is excluded from the warranty or any conditions that would necessitate additional charges for service calls, labor, or materials. Examples of conditions that void coverage might be misuse, abuse, negligence by the owner or water damage. Costly exclusions could be either the labor or materials (or both) for repairs. For instance, some vendors offer a ‘service contract’ versus a warranty, where fees are charged for labor or replacement materials for any repairs afterwards.

Determining the strength of a warranty is also essential. It stands to reason that dealing with a local company for certain products and services elicits a more timely response to your requests. For instance, waiting longer for a non-local vendor to make a repair could prove to be costly as well as inconvenient. When owners are local and reside in the community, have a Showroom, they’re also more invested in the company’s reputation within the community. The length of time a company has been in business in the community coupled with online ratings and reviews, such as those on “Better Business Bureau”, “Yelp”, and “Angie’s List” give consumers some insight into a company’s reputation. In other words, do they stand the test of time in your community in addition to enjoying a lengthy and positive business reputation.

Pacific Kitchens is San Diego’s kitchen cabinet refacing experts with over 30 years experience serving most of San Diego County.

Backsplash Options

Backsplash options for your kitchen makeover

What lies in-between your countertops and cabinets can dramatically enhance the visual appeal of your kitchen design. While you may choose to extend the granite or quartz used on your countertops to the backsplash area to camouflage where the countertop stops and the wall begins, there are obviously many other choices for your backsplash. For example, various vendors offer an extensive variety of tiles in glass, porcelain and ceramic. River rock, sandstone and tiles made out of natural stone are also possible backsplash choices that may pair well with your chosen granite or quartz countertops. Even certain metals are sometimes used as a backsplash, such as copper, tin, stainless and industrial steel. Some of these choices have gained extreme popularity, and all offer a range in pricing from ‘economical sophistication’ to ‘luxury standard’ which may somewhat help your decision-making process.

Besides your personal preference and budget considerations, other things to keep in mind when making your choice are ease of cleaning, stain resistance and durability. Also determining the appropriate backsplash height to complete your design look is key. Of course, a full-height backsplash will protect your walls between the counter and cabinet. If your choice is granite or quartz for both countertops and backsplash, enough stone would need to be ordered for both areas prior to your remodel so they would match. However, due keep in mind that this may add one or more extra slabs of granite or quartz to your job, plus the stone’s fabrication to your total price which can be very costly.

For all other choices, we highly recommend that you choose your backsplash AFTER cabinet refacing is completed and AFTER your new countertops are installed for optimum design consistency.

For more ideas, give award winning Pacific Kitchens a call at 858-277-0701.  We would love to have the opportunity to make your kitchen dreams come true.

Out With The Old And In With The New For 2018!

Out with the Old and In with the New!

 
It’s a New Year and time for New Year resolutions. For most of us, our traditional holiday festivities are nearing the end. We scheduled time to party with friends, family, co-workers, distant relatives, and sometimes even perfect strangers throughout the holiday season, and who can blame us. We indulged in our favorite food, drink, caroling, and possibly other festivities like dancing and wearing shiny little hats while tooting our New Year horns. So now that the New Year has begun and we’ve had our fill of over-indulging, it should be easy to keep our well-intentioned New Year resolutions. Right?

While making New Year resolutions has become much more popular in the last century, some may not think kindly of whoever was originally responsible for the concept. Some of us dread the thought of vowing to lose weight, stop smoking, join a gym, eat healthier, stop procrastinating, get organized and the list goes on.  So let’s make resolutions that we’ll look forward to keeping. For instance, we can pledge to travel more, get more sleep, reconnect with old friends, start a hobby, spend more time with family, and our personal favorite here at Pacific Kitchens:  “Get a Makeover” . . . . . . For your kitchen, that is!  Our customers tell us that’s one resolution that’s easy to keep and that ensures many Happy New Years to come!

Happy New Year from Pacific Kitchens!

HOW TO PLAN A FESTIVE WINE TASTING PARTY!

A festive wine tasting party for your new kitchen

Anxious to show off your beautiful new kitchen to your friends? How about turning your kitchen island into a wine tasting bar for a festive holiday get-together. Wine connoisseurs and complete novices alike will get a ‘taste’ of your festive holiday spirit, and an eyeful of your good taste in your newly remodeled kitchen design.

glasses of wineFirst, send or email a creative invitation. Pick up five to eight types of wine. Consider perhaps a theme in your selection process by selecting  personal favorites, wines from different areas, various brands of Rose’, Merlot or Zinfandel, or a sampling of California wines. You get the idea!  While connoisseurs say that too many variations during the tasting will overwhelm the palette, the wine novices may not be quite so discerning! Once you’ve made your choices, buy two bottles of each wine for each half-dozen guests. This should be enough for a 1 to 1&1/2 ounce taste and a glass afterward.  Keep the wines chilled to between 50  (for whites) and 65 degrees (for reds) so flavors aren’t dulled. For an interesting twist, you might consider wrapping each wine bottle with holiday fabric to hide the labels. Then simply write a number on a sticky label and affix to the fabric of each bottle for corresponding identification later. Your guests may be surprised at which wine they discover to be their favorite.

Considering serving some light hors d’oeuvres as guests arrive and begin to mingle, and heartier hors d’oeuvres or desserts after tasting so no tummies will be ‘growling’. Food will affect how the wine tastes, so it’s best to serve only bites of French bread, water crackers, or plain crispy breadsticks and a glass of water during the tasting to clear the palette between tastings.

Of course, if your guests are all wine novices rather than wine connoisseurs, and the sniffing and swirling are far less appealing than the sipping, you could just ask everyone invited to bring a couple bottles of their favorite wine. Here’s our toast to hoping your new kitchen brings you much happiness and many happy memories for years to come!

If you’re still in the ‘consideration’ stage and looking for kitchen remodeling ideas, Pacific Kitchens is happy to provide a free in-home estimate.  Just give us a call at (858) 277-0701 to request a design consultation.  We look forward to making your kitchen remodeling dreams come true!

Making More Efficient Use of Kitchen Cabinets While Refacing

Maximize storage space in kitchen cabinets while refacing

When transforming your kitchen cabinets to fit your favorite modern design, something to consider is how to maximize the interior storage space in your drawers and cabinets. Whether dramatically changing or subtly altering the appearance of the cabinets’ exterior, certain design adjustments will customize the interior space for maximum efficiency and functionality, completing the overall transformation.

Here are a few simple ways we can help you better utilize the space inside your kitchen cabinets and drawers at the same time we reface your kitchen cabinetry:

  • add new drawers with full-extension glides which will completely reveal the contents of each entire drawer, front to back — no more hidden space.
  • convert lower stationery cabinet space into all pull-out drawers for maximum capacity storage, clear visibility to all stored items, and 1-step access — no more cabinet doors to open; no more squinting and reaching for something way in the back. OR if you still prefer doors to drawers:
  • convert your stationary cabinet shelving into pull-out shelves, allowing clear visibility and easy access to every item, pot or pan concealed behind the cabinet doors. Just open the cabinet doors and slide out shelf.
  • add a lazy susan into a corner cabinet, making that once awkward hidden space much more useful — just ‘twirl’ to reach everything.

If space allows, we can also:

  • add extra cabinets, an island or counter top eating area.
  • enlarge an existing island and possibly its storage space.
  • install a roll-out trash and recycling center.

For a free in-home estimate from Pacific Kitchens, give us a call at (858) 277-0701. Our friendly kitchen professionals will show you how to get a brand new look — and make the most of your kitchen storage — at a fraction of the cost, compared to a complete remodel. We look forward to making your kitchen remodeling dreams come true!

Dreaming of a “Dream Kitchen”?

Planning your dream kitchen with us

The words “Dream Kitchen” elicit a wide range of visual interpretations from traditional to modern contemporary, or something in between. Over the years, our kitchens have become an area for socializing, in addition to serving the function of food storage and food preparation for our families. And in amply-sized modern kitchens, the kitchen table has been replaced with an ‘island’ which serves a multi-function purpose.  We’ve become accustomed to gathering and entertaining guests there. The kitchen is, after all, the ‘heart of the home’ and now has the honor of also being known as the ‘most used’ room in our homes. In fact, that ‘most used’ look may be why you’re reading this blog and looking for ways to modernize your kitchen before the holiday frenzy sets in.

When architects design kitchens, they usually create the most efficient use of the space as the majority of kitchens are built with functionality in mind. This eliminates the need to have to start from scratch and tear out all your existing cabinetry. Keep in mind, that with a complete tear-out, you will lose your existing counter tops. If you choose to reface, they can be saved.  Refacing has now become a very popular and high-quality alternative to complete cabinet replacements.  Cabinet refacing is an environmentally friendly, green alternative at about half the cost of a brand new kitchen. So whether your kitchen looks tired and outdated, or you would simply like it to fit your own design style, consider refacing for your dream kitchen.

There is no obligation or pressure to buy from Pacific Kitchens once we have completed your free in-home estimate. However, we hope you will check our references, our business’ reputation in the industry and make the wise choice! Choose Pacific Kitchens – San Diego’s award winning kitchen refacing company.

Call us for a free in-home estimate!

858-277-0701

Pacific Kitchens Earns Esteemed 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Angie’s List Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Angu Pacific Kitchens Inc., has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016. This is the sixth year in a row that Pacific Kitchens has received this honor. Pacific Kitchens specializes in Kitchen Cabinet Refacing with over 30 years’ experience serving most of San Diego County.

“Only about 5% of all kitchen remodeling companies have performed consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie”s List Founder, Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

This achievement is particularly significant as Angie’s List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie’s List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

“Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Only a fraction of the companies in San Diego were able to do it.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 21 years, Angie’s List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged – across all age groups – as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

“The biggest change at Angie’s List is that we are connecting even more consumers to high quality service professionals,” Hicks said. “And that’s good for everyone.”

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Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than 4.5 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

Pacific Kitchens Earns the Esteemed 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award for the 6th year in a row!

2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award winner for the 6th year in a row!

AnguThe Angie’s List Super Service Award highlights a company’s consistently high level of customer service reflecting an exemplary year of service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016

Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Only 5% of all kitchen remodeling companies have performed consistently well enough to earn the Angie’s List Super Service Award.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners must meet strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are received.

Pacific Kitchens specializes in Kitchen Cabinet Refacing with over 30 years’ experience serving most of San Diego County.

Pacific Kitchen’s Free In-Home Estimate

How Pacific Kitchen’s free in-home estimate benefits you

Very often when home owners call our showroom to inquire about refacing they also ask for a ‘ball park’ estimate for what the project will cost. We patiently explain that it is very difficult to quote a range of pricing because each kitchen is unique and the price will differ depending on the size of the kitchen and the materials you choose for your kitchen.

A free in-home estimate with one of our design consultants usually takes approximately 90 minutes. During that time the consultant will discuss what you want to achieve with your refacing project. Then, he will show you a wide variety of sample door styles, colors and materials from which you can select what you like for your kitchen. The consultant also has many samples of solid surface materials for counter tops including granite and quartz – also known as manufactured stone.

During the in-home consultation, our design consultant will ask you if you plan to replace appliances or add/subtract features from the kitchen such as replacing stationary shelves with pull out drawers, adding a possible trash drawer, Lazy Susan, etc. If you have room, we can also build new cabinets, add an island and modify cabinetry to fit new appliances. You may also need us to rebuild the entire drawer boxes or in case of water damage, we may need to rebuild the base cabinets.

So, as you see, many things come up during the home appointment that will help you decide what is best for your unique kitchen. That is why you can trust that when Pacific Kitchens comes into your home, our design consultant will write an estimate that is customized for your project to ensure that you can achieve the kitchen of your dreams.

There is no obligation to buy from Pacific Kitchens once we have completed the in-home estimate. But of course, we hope you will check our references, our business’ reputation in the industry and make the wise choice! Choose Pacific Kitchens – San Diego’s award winning kitchen refacing company.

Call us for a free in-home estimate!

Refinishing versus Refacing.  What’s the difference?

Do you need cabinet refinishing or refacing?

We often get calls from potential customers who use the word ‘refinishing’ interchangeably with ‘refacing’.  When I get that call, my first objective is to find out what the caller really wants to achieve in their kitchen.

Many times customers have cabinetry that is constructed of solid hard woods such as cherry, maple, mahogany, oak, etc. that was custom made for their kitchen.  Before they call us, the customers have assumed that Pacific Kitchens will come out, remove the doors and drawers and take them away to be stripped and re-stained or re-painted.  This process is referred to as ‘refinishing’.

Cabinet refinishing is much like the process of refinishing furniture.  It’s messy, smelly and time consuming.  The doors and drawer fronts can be taken offsite to a refinishing shop to be done, but the frames (or boxes) have to be done in your home.  This process takes your kitchen away for quite a while, sometimes weeks.  And you have to live around the mess and the smell of paint and lacquer odors.

Refacing on the other hand is kinder and gentler. When we reface your kitchen we remove all the doors and drawer fronts and make brand new doors and drawer fronts out of the material you choose (solid wood, Rigid Thermofoil (RTF) or high pressure laminate).  The outside surfaces of the cabinet frames are covered with matching material.  All the components necessary to reface your kitchen are ready to be installed before we arrive on site.

We don’t want to imply that there is ‘no mess’ involved in refacing, but it is greatly diminished compared to refinishing.  When refacing, brand new doors and drawer fronts are custom built, allowing you to completely change the look of your kitchen.  However, when you refinish, you still have your old and dated doors and drawer fronts that have endured a lot of wear and tear over the years. If you choose to refinish, keep in mind that it’s very difficult to go to a lighter color of stain because the wood grain will retain some of the previous color.

At the end of the day, the decision to reface or refinish is up to you and what you want to achieve.  We are here to raise awareness for the art of refacing and to help our customers to be completely satisfied with their decision.

For a free in-home estimate from Pacific Kitchens, give us a call at (858) 277-0701. Our friendly kitchen professionals will show you how to get a brand new look at a fraction of the cost, compared to a complete remodel. We look forward to making your kitchen remodeling dreams come true!