custom kitchen contractor Archives

Stainless steel and granite have been the hallmarks of high-end kitchens every since home improvement shows came to TV. Turn on the tube and you would think that stainless steel has always been the most popular finish in the kitchen and will always be the most popular. But appliance finishes have trends, and one Orange County kitchen remodeler sees new trends on the horizon.

Custom panel appliances

Custom panel appliances wrap your appliances in the warmth of wood. Appliances disappear until called into action.

These custom cabinets by Decora show how the same maple cabinets can be finished in a variety of ways. They don’t show the appliances. Can you see the refrigerator in this picture?

Here it is! The Lunar Twilight and Cobblestone finishes combine to give the custom cabinetry a furniture look. The appliance panel completely camouflages the refrigerator. Decora isn’t the only brand offering appliance covers. Kitchen Craft makes appliance panels for dishwashers and refrigerators and Inspired Remodels installs them beautifully.

The upscale kitchen of today looks less like a repository of metal and more like the home of warm woods. With the move to open concept homes where kitchens flow into living areas, it only makes sense to craft kitchens with clean looks. Appliance panels do the job.

Warm color appliances

Miele, one of the world leaders in appliance innovation introduced the Truffle Brown appliance to blend into warm wood tones. The Truffle Brown brings Euro sensibility to California’s kitchens. The simple but sleek floating handle is still stainless steel, but the rest is a sleek, smudge-proof surface.

Miele Truffle Brown Oven

You may not think this truffle brown color is swoon-worthy when you see it on the white background of this blog. Instead of truffle,you may think cold coffee.

But when you take this warm, truffle brown color and pair it with rich wood you get an amazing look.

Ovens, warming drawer and built in coffee machine in Truffle Brown provide the clean lines called for in this open concept design.

Just imagine how that would look in stainless steel.

One kitchen remodeler for any look

Whether you dream of stainless and granite or a more trendy kitchen, Inspired Remodels is the kitchen remodeler that will turn those dreams into reality.

Inspired Remodels will sit down with you and assess the space available and talk to you about how you use your kitchen. Cooking and entertaining patterns will be considered. Inspired Remodels is more than just a kitchen remodeler; they are kitchen designers. They see what’s possible where others just see the impossible.

Call (949) 716-1938 to schedule a consultation with Inspired Remodels today.

Thinking of a kitchen or bath remodel or renovation but aren’t sure where to start? The internet is filled with stories of contractors from hell. You don’t want to make the mistake of hiring the wrong contractor. Follow these tips for hiring kitchen and bath contractors and your project will be off to a great start.

Start with The Designer

There are architects, designers, and contractors. Make sure you hire a person that can transform your dream into an actionable plan and stay within your budget. A designer that works with a contractor or a design-build contractor is the best arrangement possible.

Experienced kitchen and bath contractors and designers can tell you whether the layout you want requires extensive changes to plumbing, electrical, or structural components. These are the big ticket, costly items. A good designer can translate what you want into a design that meets your needs and your budget.

Be sure you look at designs and pictures together. You need to make sure that you and your designer have the same ideas when it comes to “contemporary” and “traditional”. Your designer needs to understand your needs and wants for lighting, storage, fixtures and appliances. Poor communication is a recipe for a bad project. If you can’t discuss the project cost and time frame comfortably, pick another professional.

Review their recent work history and see if their style meets yours or if they have the ability to adapt their style to the desires of their client. Beware of a designer that repeats the same design over and over with new finishes. They may lack the imagination you need.

Discuss Costs and Time

Kitchen and bath contractors all give an estimate before work starts. Be sure you understand what is covered and what is not. Are the finishes contractor grade? Are appliances and fixtures included or extra? What happens when problems arise? Which party is responsible for additional costs?

It’s best to discuss budget up-front. You may want a soaking tub and a steam shower in your bathroom remodel, but lack the budget for both. By discussing budget in the beginning you can prioritize your wants and needs. The way you won’t be presented with a layout, finishes, and fixtures you can’t afford.

Understanding the time frame is crucial as well. It’s not enough to ask how long it will take. You need to ask when the job can start. If the project requires permits, this can add considerably to the time to completion.

Identifying Reputable Kitchen and Bath Contractors

Some companies may draw pretty designs and talk a good game but fail on execution. One of the best ways to vet any contractor is to check their reputation on-line.

Simply Google the contractor’s name or the company name. Read reviews from Yelp, Houzz, and Angie’s List.

Put on your detective hat and check the company’s license. Almost every state has an on-line source for checking the status of a contractor’s license. For example, a check of the license for Inspired Remodels at CA.gov shows the company has an active license, is bonded, and has current worker’s compensation insurance. If a company is doing work at your house you must make sure they have worker’s compensation insurance for your own protection.

Check with the local Better Business Bureau. Ideally, you won’t find complaints. But if you do, see how the company responds. Great customer service is determined by how a contractor handles problems and you want to do business with kitchen and bath contractors that know how to handle problems or complaints if they arise.

Inspired Remodels for Inspired Kitchens and Baths

Inspired Remodels is the Orange County kitchen and bath contractor that provides design and build services. This means Inspired Remodels will be with you from the initial design until the last trace of construction dust is swept away. You get the kitchen or bath of your dreams within your budget.

Call (949) 716-1938 to schedule your consultation.

custom kitchen contractor

Is the Era of Stainless Steel Over? See What this Kitchen Remodeler Has to Say