CABINETS

Q. You are located in Palm Springs where do you do your work?
A. We do custom cabinets in the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Q. Do you give free estimates?
A. Yes, but they are not estimates, one of our designer consultants will meet you in your home and give you an exact price of what your project will cost, NOT AN ESTIMATE.

Q. How long will it take to complete the job?
A. After all of your selections are made and a contract agreement signed, we will deliver and install your project within 6-8 weeks.  The actual time in your home once we start is 5-10 days.

Q. Can I expect you will be there until the job is done?
A. Once we start a job we do not stop until it is finished.

Q. Do you use sub-contractors and piece workers?
A. We use all our own employees, tools and equipment.

Q. Are they modular home center type cabinets?
A. Our cabinets are all custom made in our factory in Palm Springs.

Q. Will I have a lot of choices and be able to get what I WANT?
A. We have an unlimited selection of design and colors of Hardwoods, Laminates and Thermafoil.

Q. What are your cabinets made of?
A. The doors and drawer fronts can be hardwood, Oak, Maple, Alder and others or high-pressure laminate of Thermafoil laminate.  The cabinet boxes are constructed of ¾’ thick melamine laminate on both sides or ¾’ maple plywood all depending on your choice.

Q. Does it cost a lot more for custom cabinets compared to home center Modular type cabinets?
A. For comparable quality, when considering cost of the complete job all-inclusive, including installation, accessories, tax, delivery, and our custom cabinets will be very comparable to any home center cabinets.

Q. Can Home Centers do custom cabinets?
A. Absolutely not, all cabinets sold by home centers are Modular.  All the installation is done by sub-contractors not affiliated with the home center.

Q. What choices do I have for molding, accessories and hardware?
A. We represent the finest domestic and European suppliers of hardware and accessories and use exclusively BLUM European hinges and drawer hardware.

Q. Do you only do kitchens?
A. We do all kinds of cabinets i.e. kitchens, bathrooms, offices, storage, media, entertainment centers, closets and commercial.

Q. What color finishes are available in your wood cabinets?
A. We are able to create any color or finish because we have custom wood finishers working in our shop that can create furniture quality finishes.

Q. Will the painter or finisher be in my house?
A. Finishing, sanding, sealing, staining is done in the spray booth and finishing shop at our factory and delivered pre-finished to your home.  There will not be any noxious fumes or painting done in your home.

Q. Do we have to tear out our old cabinets to get a new kitchen?
A. Not always, if you think the layout of your kitchen is what you want, we would do custom refacing using all the same finishes you like on your existing cabinets.

Q. What about Counter tops?
A. We are the exclusive supplier for Granite Transformations, Rocksolid Granite and Cristalino counter tops for the Coachella Valley, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange Counties.  See Granite Transformations page.

Q. Will I have to tear out my kitchen cabinets myself?
A. If required we will do all the demolition and haul away all the debris.

Q. How big of a mess can I expect?
A. Our installers operate under a very strict policy of respecting your property.  They will cover the floor and isolate the work area as much as possible with plastic or zipwall.   We cover the Air-conditioning vents and limit the access to other parts of the house.  We exclusively use, wherever possible, European tools that are connected to a vacuum to minimize dust.  We always leave the job broom and vacuum clean.  We pride ourselves on being very cautious and careful with your home and contents.

Q. Do I have to be home all the time the job is in progress and will I be expected to help?
A. We are licensed, bonded, and insured; therefore you do not need to be home all the time.  You need to be there at the start and at the end of each day.  You do not need to be involved in the process or the installation.

Q. Will I get a guarantee?
A. Mastercraft Kitchens has a Lifetime Written Warranty for as long as you own your home on all the work that we do.  This far exceeds any other Company or Industry guarantee.

Q. Do you have references?
A. Over 5,000 jobs completed since 1996 plus check on us at the Contractor’s State License Board website.  I have been licensed since 1964.  Also check with the Better Business Bureau and any one of the 5,000 customers we have serviced since 1996.

Q. Can I buy cheaper cabinets?
A. Yes, but you get what you pay for, not custom cabinets at guaranteed price, with a lifetime guarantee.

Q. How do I know the cabinets will fit?
A. We design custom cabinets, and then we go to the site to measure.  We then revise the drawings, confirm design.  Final measurements are our responsibility.

Q. Can I install my own cabinets?
A. Custom cabinets are heavier and more difficult to install.  However, if you wish to install your own we will deliver to the jobsite.

Q. Do you have a showroom so I can see some sample kitchens?
A. We have five Showrooms.  However, to see the best examples come to our Palm Springs Showroom, located at 4790 E. Camino Parocela, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Q. Do you have designers that could help me make my choices?
A. We have Designer Sales Consultants as well as Technicians to help you design your kitchen, and they will manage the process.

Q. Do you offer tours of your factory where I can see the cabinets being built?
A. Factory tours are welcomed and available in Palm Springs.  We love to show our quality manufacturing process and let you meet the employees who do the work.

Q. Do you offer financing?                                                                                                        A. There are several different plans available thru Enerbank.

Q. What is Engineered Stone?
A. Engineered Stone's primary component is either granite or quartz plus an additive consisting of a polymer resin.

Q. What are the benefits of Engineered Stone over natural?
A. Engineered stones, either granite or quartz, are non-porous surfaces and never have to be sealed or treated. Natural stone is porous, it does have to be sealed or treated to prevent staining and bacteria growth.

Q. What thickness of countertops are available now?
A. Engineered and natural stone come in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1 1/8" slabs. Acrylic surfaces like Corian, Kerrock, Gibralter are 1/2" thick. Avonite is 1/2" thick but is polyester based.

Q. What is Cultured Marble?
A. Cultured Marble is generally used for vanities in bathrooms and is a plastic based material covered with epoxy or a gel coat. The gel coat is the wearing surface. It is generally not recommended for kitchen use.

Q. Why do people use concrete countertops?
A. It is a current design trend and relatively expensive and high maintenance. It is the same material used to make a sidewalk and has to be coated or painted to make a satisfactory countertop.

Q. How long does it take to install a countertop?
A. Granite Transformations - our installers make a template or pattern first of the surface to be covered; then they return to the shop and fabricate the countertop and return in one or two days to finish the installation, depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Q. Do you charge to give an estimate?
A. NO. We give you an exact price and there is no charge for our salesperson to come out to your location and give you the exact cost. It is not an estimate. Unlike most Home Centers who charge $75-$100 to give you an estimate.

Q. Do you use your own employees or sub-contractors?
A. We use all our own employees, we do not sub-contract any of our work.

Q. Will you disconnect my plumbing?
A. Yes, but we cannot reconnect it as we are licensed plumbers, nor do we have tools or parts that might be necessary. We will tell you when to schedule a licensed plumber.

Q. What about appliances or electrical work?
A. You will have to arrange for any new or old appliances to be installed and any electrical work to be done. We are not a licensed electrician. We will advise you when you can schedule your electrician. No matter where you buy a countertop the homeowner is always responsible for any plumbing or electrical work that needs to be done. We recommended a home service like you do on your car. Use this as an opportunity to have all your plumbing and electrical checked out. This will prevent a future problem like washing machine hoses, bathrooms etc.

Q. Do you have a warranty?
A. Yes, Granite Transformations / Rocksolid Granite comes with a 10-year written warranty. Other countertops vary by product and manufacturer. Generally speaking, engineered stone will have a warranty but natural stone will not.

Q. Are your installers certified or trained?
A. Yes, that is why we can offer the warranty.

Q. What about care and maintenance?
A. All that is required is cleaning with soap and water.

Q. Do I need to seal or wax my Granite Transformations countertop?
A. No, you won't. Use only soap and water.

Q. Can Granite Transformation be refinished or repaired?
A. Yes, in the unlikely event that it is required.

Q. Will heat hurt my new countertop?
A. Pots and pans off of the stove or out of the oven will not damage the countertop.

Q. Does Granite Transformation stain?
A. Yes, the only thing that will stain your countertop is acetone. It is stain resistant but not stain proof. Typical household food stuffs will not stain.

Q. Does Granite Transformation Rocksolid Granite scratch or chip?
A. Not with general or normal household use.

Q. Will there be seams or joints?
A. Yes. All stone, natural or engineered countertops will have seams. Your sales person or installer will review their locations with you. We are limited by the size of the slabs. Approximately 48" x 120".

Q. Will there be grout?
A. No. Our joints or seams are glued together with epoxy cement.

Q. What about caulking?
A. Yes, you will have caulking with any countertop. With the sink, if it is self-rimming (top mounted) or under-mount and where the backsplash meets the wall. This has to be renewed annually.

Q. What about mildew, mold or bacteria?
A. Granite Transformation / Rocksolid Granite engineered stone and solid surfaces generally do not harbor mold or bacteria because they are not porous. Other countertops that are porous can harbor mold and bacteria.

Q. What about sinks?
A. Your choices are either self-rimming, which is most economical and can be replaced and requires the least maintenance, or under-mount, which is the most expensive and cannot be replaced because it cannot be removed after it has been installed without replacing the countertop. Granite Transformations can accommodate and install either one, ready for your plumber to connect.

Q. What about stovetops?
A. Granite Transformations can accommodate your existing or new stovetops.

Q. Will it be a problem for my refrigerator, dishwasher or slide-in stove with Granite Transformations countertops?
A. Granite Transformations will accommodate all of your appliances but there are considerations with any new countertop on how your appliances will fit, especially if you are going to buy new appliances.

Q. What about backsplashes or different heights of backsplashes?
A. We can install a new backsplash of any height; 4", 6", 8" or all the way to the bottom of your cabinets.

Q. What about windowsills and garden windows?
A. Granite Transformations is an attractive solution to windowsills and garden windows.

Q. What about pass-through windows?
A. Granite Transformations can be the sill and jams on a pass-through opening.

Q. What about shutters and blinds? Will they have to be cut down?
A. Some instances do require cutting down shutters or window coverings. Mastercraft Kitchens may be able to remove, cut down and replace them if it is required, depending on your installation.

Q. What is the typical cost of a sink, stove and water?
A. With a Granite Transformations 3-4 day installation you will be without a sink, stove or water typically two days. With other countertops it will be 5-10 days due to the demolition.

Q. Is there any demolition required?
A. Granite Transformations is the only countertop material that goes over your existing countertop. All other countertops require the removal of your existing countertop and the installation of sub-top before a new countertop can be installed. This increases the time required, the cost and the potential for damage.

Q. Can Granite Transformations products be used for new countertops?
A. Yes, Granite Transformations products can be used for new countertops for homeowners, builders, kitchen suppliers, architects and designers.

Q. Can Granite Transformations Products be used in bathrooms?
A. Yes, Granite Transformations products can be a beautiful grout-free alternative to tile and can be used in any part of the bathroom, including vanities, floors, walls and shower stalls.

Q. What is the difference between countertop materials?
A. The following is a Product Comparison Chart:

PRODUCT COMPARISON CHART

Product	Advantages	Disadvantages	Relative Cost
Tile	-Inexpensive -Durable Surface -Heat Resistant Scratch Resistant	- Outdated look - Tiles Crack & Chip - Grout to Clean	- $3-$5 Per Tile - $800-$1,500 w/Out Demolition*
Laminate	- Inexpensive - Solid Surface - Easy to Clean	- Scratches - Burns - Stains - Outdated, looks cheap	- $100-$300 Linear Ft. -$1,500-$2,000 w/Out Demolition*
Solid Surface Corian, Kerrock, Gibraltar, Avonite	- Solid Surface - Several Color Choices - Seamless Counter	- Expensive - Burns - Scratches - Stains	-$40-$65 sq. ft. - $4,500-$6,000 w/Out Demolition*
Granite / Marble	- Beautiful stone surface - Heat Resistant - Scratch Resistant - Increases Resale Value	- Expensive - Requires Sealing - Potential Staining - Can Crack	- $25-$90 sq. ft. - $25-$50 sq. ft. fab and installed - $5,500-$10,000 w/Out Demolition*
Engineered Stone Surface Silestone, Cambria, Legacy, Caesarstone, Zodiaq, Avanza	- Solid Surface - Beautiful Stone Look - Heat Resistant - Scratch Resistant Stain Resistant	- Expensive - Long Install Time - Demolition of old countertop	- $45-$60 sq. ft. - $4,500-$5,500 w/out Demolition*

*Average demolition costs are $12 to $35 per square foot.