Home remodeling for the holidays: Why home improvement shopping can mean big savings this season.

With the holiday season and big savings in full swing, shoppers around the country are packing malls and shopping centers for those special people in their lives. But there are a few savvy consumers that are taking advantage of the rush to save big dollars on home sweet home. And while many might not think home improvement for the holidays, a carefully executed strategy could possibly lead to thousands in savings, from sales on materials to contractors willing to lower cost in order to sneak those last couple of jobs before the New Year.

If you are thinking about home renovations in 2013, then now may be the perfect time to set aside the Christmas shopping for a bit, and tackle those plans head on. Why? Well, when it comes to any home improvement, any professional will tell you that December is generally the slowest month of the year, and many more will tell you that their work flow comes to a near standstill. This means that more contractors are not only available, but probably willing to offer some discounts to push that final job of the year. Furthermore, unless it’s a brand new, shining cordless drill set for dad, most home improvement stores do not see the major rushes that other retailers experience. However, that does not mean the Black Friday sales aren’t there.

Let’s take a popular renovation project as an example. Did you ever wonder on Thanksgiving Day if you could be cooking in a brand new kitchen by Christmas? Well the truth is, with some pre-planning and a little patience, particularly with your fellow holiday shoppers, you cannot only accomplish it but you can save some serious money doing it. Black Friday sales on name brand appliances average anywhere between 30% and 40% or more off regular prices. Consider using ready-to-assemble all wood cabinetry to save on time and money, choose a counter top, and you can be sipping eggnog with in-laws and talking about how much you saved on your brand new kitchen.

Digging a little deeper into the holiday sales bonanza, you will find some great pricing on everything from wood flooring to bathroom vanities to huge discounts on tools and hardware for the do-it-yourselfers who like to take matters in their own hands.

Another great area to save on is labor. Many good contractors are sitting on the sidelines during the month of December, as the holiday’s take front and center for almost everybody. Some home improvement professionals may be receptive to offering some discounts during their slow period, particularly if they see that you really are serious about getting the job done before the New Year. Besides cost, hiring a contractor in the month of December will probably put you front and center in the contractor’s list of priorities, helping you not only save money, but also time. However, remember the one place you do not want save time on is doing the necessary research on the contractor you hire. Make sure to check licenses, visit their shops or showrooms and even asks for references. Unfortunately the holidays have a way of bringing the good and bad in people.

The debate of Chinese imports: Why Chinese cabinets are shutting the doors of local manufacturers.

It is a highly fragmented market place that is dominated by mostly small business entrepreneurs. Aside from a few industry giants such as Masco Corporation and Fortune Brands, many homeowners have historically turned to the small, privately owned local manufacturers who have been serving their community, in many cases, for decades. But as American importers and Chinese manufacturers began their charge into the multi-billion dollar kitchen and bath cabinetry industry, a detrimental combination of an economic recession, a failing housing market and high unemployment began to stack up against local manufacturing, as cash strapped consumers hunted for the highest quality cabinetry at the lowest price.

This perfect storm allowed Chinese imports of ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets to take hold of an already distressed market, putting many small businesses, out of business, as their inability to compete against importers grew. So why are the importers still around now? It comes down to simple profit and loss. Manufacturing cabinetry here in the United States is expensive business, from overhead to equipment to personnel. And since most small business owner or entrepreneurs aren’t in the business to lose money, the cost of manufacturing is passed on to the consumer, either through lofty pricing or poorer quality. With local manufacturing, a company has to factor in significantly larger facilities to accommodate their production and manufacturing operations, which translates to higher rent and additional costs for the purchase and maintenance of equipment. The hiring of more personnel, means more highly skilled carpenters who require the manufacturer to carry additional, high risk insurances in addition to higher salaries. And although many local manufacturers turned to China for raw materials and equipment, the cost of operating was still enough to force them to close shop. Manufacturing importers have been able to seize the opportunity of the lagging economy by operating with significantly lower manufacturing costs and lower overhead, allowing them to offer considerably lower pricing to the end users, whether it’s wholesale to industry pros or consumers at retail prices. When comparing to local manufacturers or large home improvement stores, this difference could be in upwards of forty percent or more. Additionally, value driven importers will take advantage of affordable raw materials and low manufacturing costs in China to significantly improve the quality of their cabinets in an effort to strengthen their competitive edge in the market. Opting for standards such as ¾ inch plywood boxes, higher quality hardware such as soft closing hinges and matching cabinet interiors to go with the customers color selection continues to give the importers a strategic advantage from manufacturing companies who offer these as pricey upgrades.

Is Stainless Steel Losing Ground in the Kitchen?

After decades of exemplifying beauty and sophistication in kitchens, is stainless steel beginning an exit from culinary living spaces? Well, it’s probably not; at least not yet and not any time soon. However, from kitchen sinks to home appliances, it does seem that stainless steel maybe making its way out of a few kitchens as new beautiful alternatives come to market. And with a significant push to transform the kitchen from workspace to living space, these trend setting options might quickly start chipping away at the demand for stainless steel, and ultimately, its global market share. Kitchen remodeling, as with any renovation project, has always been based on aesthetics, functionality and durability. It is why for decades stainless steel has dominated the kitchen. Aside from its good looks, it has been revered for its strength and ability to not readily rust or stain, although it has been known to if not cared for properly or manufactured using poor quality materials. But in a new, fast paced, ever changing world driven by emerging trends, it seems inevitable that stainless steel will soon lose its dominance to fresh, next generation alternatives. A similar transition seems to be in the works between granite and quartz countertops. So what alternatives are showing up in the world of home remodeling? Over the past several years, stainless steel has remained unchallenged in the kitchen appliances arena, but it seems that this undisputed champ is now facing several new up-an-coming contenders. As kitchen cabinets move to a new era of sleek and modern designs, some appliance manufacturers are testing the waters with bold looks and new finishes. General Electric, for example, has recently launched its new line of slate appliances, offering a subtle, gray metallic look that blends perfectly with a variety of cabinetry options, from chic bamboo to the ultra modern Italian styles.

Whirlpool has also introduced its Ice Collection, which includes its high shine Black Ice and White Ice appliances that is sure to grab the attention of iPhone users worldwide. Stainless steel is also facing a new challenger in the area of kitchen sinks. Recently, integrated sinks, such as Silestone’s Integrity sink is made from a single, matching piece of quartz. This sink allows for a seamless integration of sink and countertop and allowing for a sleek and uniform appearance. The quartz countertop and the sinks are not only beautiful, but scratch resistant, easy to clean and more importantly nonporous, offering consumers a safer product in an area known for its raw food bacteria.

As we spend more and more time in this foundation of the American home, it will be exciting to see what lies ahead for this transitional phase to the modern day kitchen. With all these trend setting products just coming to market, we still have yet to see if they will stand the test of time. And it is probably safe to say that we could probably expect stainless steel to remain a first choice for most homeowners for many years to come.

When It Comes to Home Improvement and Cabinetry, What Materials Are Ideal for My Projects?

When it comes to any residential renovation project that requires the replacement of cabinetry, whether it’s for a kitchen, bathroom or a bedroom closets, what goes into making the cabinet is just as important as how it looks. With a wide range of materials to choose from, selecting the right option based on purpose of the project, your budget and even the location of your cabinetry will be something that would need to be strongly considered when making your choice.

In the world of residential and commercial cabinetry, a couple of truths ring true. First, is that you will always “get what you pay for” and the second is that you should “never judge a book by its cover.” As a consumer, you should be aware that looking at a beautiful, eye-catching piece of cabinetry does not necessarily mean that the highest quality standards and craftsmanship was placed into manufacturing the product. However, a lot of times that is okay if the buyer know exactly what he or she is buying, and that the price fits the quality of the purchase. But as a buyer, you should know the pros and cons of the common material used in cabinetry and you should be aware of your project goals.

Beginning from lowest to highest on durability and cost, melamine offers an inexpensive option to buyers on a budget. These cabinets are constructed by using a resin, made by combining melamine and formaldehyde, to create a laminate under pressure and heat. The resulting sheet is then and bonded with glue, usually to particle board. However, over time, melamine cabinets are notorious for swelling, is known to quickly show wear and tear, and it has the tendency to look just as inexpensive as its price tag.

Like melamine, thermofoil is a plastic-coated cabinet finish that uses a thin film that is heated and molded over engineered medium-density fiberboard, or MDF. It can offer a longer lasting alternative to melamine cabinets that gives consumers a greater selection of colors and styles. Furthermore, it is well known for its high quality sheen, and some finishes include wood grain, and can even have metallic elements. Thermofoil can also be applied to existing cabinet doors. Both melamine and thermofoil cabinets are easy to maintain.

Finally, if your budget allows, natural solid wood provides one of the highest level of durability, strength and beauty available in the market today. Unlike engineered wood products, the quality of the solid wood is dependent on the species, whether it would be oak, maple or cherry. In general though, wood is regarded as a reliably better choice for cabinetry than MDF for its strength, although both can deliver a visually stunning piece of cabinetry. And with better technologies and manufacturing processes coming down the pipe, MDF can be become the leading player in the cabinetry market.

So whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or real estate investor there is always a cabinet available to meet your requirements. The important thing is to know what you expect from your cabinets in the near and long term. As an example, a homeowner or landlord would need long lasting durability and strength and would probably consider a higher grade product such as solid wood or thermofoil. In contrast a real estate investor may do well with the less durable melamine product to secure a quick sale. Just remember to choose wisely, and more importantly, research the company or contractor you are purchasing from.

Turning dream kitchen and baths into affordable realities is what we are all about.

Superior Kitchens & More a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of high quality kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as the Klazz™ line of plumbing fixtures and accessories. Located in South Florida, Superior operates a large design & manufacturing center that features a state-of-the-art showroom featuring all of our all wood cabinetry lines, as well as our kitchen and bath plumbing products. Here, we are staying ahead of our competition by finding innovative ways to improve and lower production costs without compromising the trusted quality we have come to be known by. Klazz is a registered trademark of Superior Kitchens and More.

Measurements 101: How to Measure Your Kitchen Cabinets Video Released

Superior Kitchens would love to invite our followers to check out our first YouTube video on how to measure your kitchen. Please let us know what you think.

This video is designed to give our customers step-by-step instructions on how to properly measure your kitchen, especially prior to speaking to any renovation expert or kitchen cabinet company. We receive several phone calls a day from potential customers looking for a pretty accurate estimate over the phone. Some competitors have initiated dubious marketing strategies, known as the 10’ X 10’ kitchen offers, with the 10’ X 10’ often referred to as a “typical” kitchen. What sometimes isn’t clearly spelled out is that the 10’ X 10’ is based on specific cabinets in predetermined sizes, and on a layout that is all but typical. Any changes that have to be made will probably come at cost. Always look for a friendly, small print disclaimer somewhere around the advertisement.
Anyways, our video will give anyone the ability to receive an estimate over the phone or via email, without the need of having unfamiliar contractors coming into your home. If it is done correctly, these measurements should provide a home remodeling professional or company with the numbers needed to provide you with a preliminary estimate. Once you narrow your selection down, you can invite them back to your home to do the measurements professionally.
Hopefully you will enjoy the video, and PLEASE don’t forget to help us out by clicking the “LIKE” button on the YouTube!

3 Big Ways Home Improvement Contractors Can Survive and Strive in Today’s Economy and Still Co-exist with Bargain Hunting Home Owners.

Home improvement professionals should not be confusing a struggling housing market with a lack of opportunity in today’s tough economy. To the contrary, home remodeling has actually been pushing forward the past few years, and is expected to continue the push well into the future. But it is definitely not the same market we knew 10 years ago, and the ability to adapt to the tsunami of change will directly impact the future success of any home remodeling business.

If you are a contractor in the residential home renovation business and you’ve been a little down on your luck, then you need to consider this. In March, the Commerce Department said new-home sales had fallen 1.6% in February 2012 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 313,000 homes, representing a drop for the second straight month in a row. But at around the same time of the Department’s announcement, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association stated that cabinet sales for February 2012 increased +5.7 percent compared to sales for February 2011. Why? It seems the reality of a depressed housing market, underwater mortgages and less spending capital has many homeowners looking at home renovation as an affordable option to selling and buying.
But it is a different world in 2012 and a strong buyers market is giving consumers the upper hand. Today’s cut throat home improvement industry has Americans looking for the best possible deal and contractors bidding against myriad estimates. And unfortunately, many of today’s talented home improvement professionals are doing business like it was the turn of the century and failing to adapt to their current environment. Operating Superior Kitchens and More, a wholesale kitchen cabinet business in Miami, I personally know how cut throat home improvement can get. Here are is some general tips based on what customers are saying in America’s toughest market of Miami.
Lowering your own operating costs is essential to compete and survive in today’s market. Homeowners are looking for rock bottom prices on the best quality they can find, and they are willing to see 10 individuals just like you to find what they are looking for. And the truth is so should you. In my business, the term “custom built kitchens” meant big profits in the times leading to the housing crisis. Many of my clients had specialized and flourished in cabinet door manufacturing and custom builds, and although profitable at the time, this kind of operation required significant time and costly overhead expenses. Today, many of those same clients are flocking to high quality Ready-to-Assemble or RTA cabinets, which not only saves them on cost, but a faster turnaround time on each kitchens means more time securing your next project.
It’s important to understand that today your average consumer is finding contractors one of 2 ways. Either offline through word-of-mouth or referrals from neighbors, family and friends, or online by throwing a quick question out on Facebook and checking Google reviews. Today, the internet has become a consumer’s best friend, and a good way to check a contractor’s reputation well in advance.
First thing to always keep in mind is that there is no business like referred business. Treat every single customer as you would your top customer, even if it means bending over backwards every once in a while. You will not believe how going that little extra mile to keep your customer happy can quickly turn into your next job or two. For homeowners, getting the right guy or girl for the job is 75% of the battle, and referred is always going to be preferred. There is never a shortage of home improvement nightmares caused by bad contractors, so even if you’re estimate came in a little higher than the next one, the piece of mind from a referral could be worth those few extra bucks.
Second, there is a reason why the internet was invented, so use it. If you are not leveraging the World Wide Web and the powerful tools it has to offer, then you might as well pack your bags and move to Antarctica, because no one is going to find you in this digital age. For the most part, you’re target market, is going to be “Googling” this and “Facebooking” that, a lot. Apply a little time to each day to your online efforts, because if not, you’re losing out on potential new customers, big time! More importantly, you can do a lot of good online advertising and marketing, like social networking, with little to no money.
Bottom line, a little research on emerging consumer demands and 21st century marketing strategies can go a long way.

Kitchen Remodeling Wars: Ready-To-Assemble Cabinets Vs The Brand Names

RTA, or Ready-to-Assemble cabinetry, is rapidly growing in popularity as a significantly lower cost and higher quality alternative to many, if not most, of the made-to-order option that you find from your local custom cabinet manufacturers or big box home improvement stores. While a custom made kitchen can run anywhere from $10,000 to upwards of $50,000.00 or more, RTA cabinets can help you save a significant amount on the kitchen cabinetry itself, and possibly cutting a $20,000 budget by nearly half. And unlike most times where "you get what you pay for," often with RTA cabinets, the quality of the materials used and the construction could be significantly better than mainstream brands. So if you're thinking about a renovating or holding off on that new kitchen, here is my side-by-side comparison between RTA and the brand names.


When it comes to materials and construction, RTA cabinets score a big win among the leading brand names. While you can expect solid wood doors in both categories, the major difference comes when looking at the rest of the construction. For one, most, if not all RTA cabinets come equipped with plywood boxes, usually ¾ inch thick, where as much of made-to-order cabinetry found in the major retailers or local manufacturers use some variation of compressed wood, such as particle board. And although a salesman at the home improvement store may talk to you about a ¾ inch wood framed cabinet, they are generally speaking exclusively about the front face of the cabinet where the door is attached to. Usually they are excluding the sides and back of the box. Furthermore, traditional or made-to-order cabinets are also known for using particle board in their drawers, where as RTA usually use wood connected by dovetail joints to ensure long lasting durability for years to come.

If you're wondering what's the difference between wood or plywood construction versus particle board is? Then place a piece of particle board in a cup of water for a day or two, and you'll see what we are talking about. Particle board is extremely susceptible to moisture and can warp and expand overtime when significant moisture is present, particularly around dishwashers and sink or in moist environments where humidity is high; even mopping can sometimes present a problem to particle board. RTA cabinets also significantly differ in the way the cabinetry is put together because of the strength of the plywood. Particle board cabinets usually are assembled using a variety of methods, from staples to wooden dowels and glue on the higher end cabinets, whereas RTA cabinets usually use a sturdy cam lock system that ensures your cabinets won't pull apart down the road.

In terms of cabinet door styles, choices do seem to favor the made-to-order or custom option. One con in the pros' and cons' of RTA, is that the cabinets are prefabricated, meaning they are manufactured and mass produced in one set color, door style, and in specific sizes that usually come in increments of 3 inches. However, RTA cabinetry comes in many styles, colors and finishes and it's almost for sure that there is one available that matches any given individual's taste and lifestyle. As for the set sizes, careful planning and good measurements from a skilled professional carpenter of kitchen remodel professional will ensure your kitchen looks as custom as the finest customs kitchens out there. Bar none, pre fabricated means mass produced, which means lower labor costs and turnaround times, which ultimately means less money spent.

Turning dream kitchen and baths into affordable realities is what we are all about. Superior Kitchens & More a leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of high quality kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as the Klazz line of plumbing fixtures and accessories. Located in South Florida, Superior operates a large design & manufacturing center that features a state-of-the-art showroom featuring all of our all wood cabinetry lines, as well as our kitchen and bath plumbing products. Here, we are staying ahead of our competition by finding innovative ways to improve and lower production costs without compromising the trusted quality we have come to be known by. Klazz is a registered trademark of Superior Kitchens and More.

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