Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of working with us?

Expertise and experience: Our expertise in kitchen design includes a deep understanding of the latest design trends, materials, and technologies. This allows us to make informed decisions about the design elements that best suit the client’s needs, preferences, and budget. Experience in the industry means that We developed relationships with suppliers and contractors, allowing me to access high-quality materials and services at a reasonable price. This ensures that the final design is of the highest quality and will enable us to create cost-effective solutions that meet the client’s budget.
Unique approach: Our approach to kitchen design is unique in the industry because we focus on creating custom and innovative designs that reflect the client’s unique vision, needs, and preferences. We do not rely on standard templates or preconceived ideas but take a collaborative approach with the client to ensure that we understand their needs and create a personalized design.
Attention to detail: Attention to detail is critical in design because it ensures that every aspect of the design process is carefully considered and executed to create a cohesive and functional space. As kitchen designers, we must focus on every aspect of the design process, from the layout to the finishes and accessories, to ensure that every detail complements the overall design and meets the client’s needs.
Personalized service: Urban Homes pride itself on providing personalized service to our clients. We understand that every client is unique, with their own set of needs, preferences, and design vision. That is why we take the time to get to know each client individually. We listen carefully to their ideas and work closely with them to create customized design that reflects their personality and lifestyle.
Quality materials: Urban Homes is committed to using only high-quality materials in our home designs. We carefully select each material based on its performance characteristics, aesthetic qualities, and sustainability and work closely with our clients to ensure their satisfaction with the materials we use.
Budget-friendly options: We offer a range of budget-friendly options to help clients achieve their design goals while staying within budget. We offer cost-effective materials and finishes and provide design options that can help save money.
Our portfolio: Our portfolio is a collection of our past projects, showcasing the range and diversity of our design expertise. It includes high-quality photos and descriptions of each project, highlighting the unique features and design elements that make each project special.
Communication and collaboration:
We strongly emphasize communication and collaboration in our home design projects. We maintain open and transparent communication with our clients, collaborate closely with other professionals involved in the project, and use the latest communication tools and technologies to keep clients informed and involved.
Showroom: By focusing on the needs of consumers, our state-of-the-art showroom that showcases a range of products is sure to make a great impression on potential clients and allows clients to see, touch, and experience materials & products.
Leadership: Having a third-generation kitchen industry owner with over 25 years of experience is an impressive accomplishment for our company. This level of experience and expertise sets us apart from competitors and gives clients the confidence that their kitchen design project is in capable hands.

Custom Millwork VS Cabinet Factory
Manufactured kitchen cabinets are typically more advanced than those produced by millwork shops for several reasons:

Precision and Consistency: When it comes to cabinetry, precision is critical. While a local millwork or carpentry shop may have skilled artisans, the level of accuracy that can be achieved with machinery in a climate-controlled factory is unparalleled. Computer-controlled machines ensure that each piece of cabinetry is cut to exact specifications, resulting in a level of consistency that is hard to match with on-site or local woodworking.
Standardization: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers produce cabinets on a large scale and have established standardized processes that can efficiently produce cabinets in a consistent manner. This standardization allows for greater efficiency and quality control.
Technology: Cabinet manufacturers often have access to more advanced technology and equipment than smaller millwork shops. This can include things like computer-aided design (CAD) software, automated cutting machines, and precision woodworking tools that enable them to produce more precise and efficient cabinets.
Machinery: Manufactured kitchen cabinets are typically produced using a variety of advanced machinery and technology, which can include:

Computer numerical control (CNC) machines: These machines use computer-controlled cutting tools to precisely cut and shape the various components of the cabinet, ensuring that each piece is identical and fits together perfectly.
Edge banders: These machines apply edge banding to the exposed edges of the cabinet components, creating a finished and polished appearance.
Panel saws: These machines are used to cut large sheets of wood or other materials into the desired sizes and shapes for the cabinet components.
Doweling machines: These machines drill holes and insert dowels to join the various components of the cabinet together, ensuring a strong and durable construction.
Finishing equipment: This can include spray booths, ovens, and other equipment used to apply finishes such as paint, stain, or laminate to the cabinets, ensuring a long-lasting and high-quality appearance.

Material selection: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers typically have access to a wider range of high-quality materials than millwork shops. This includes materials like high-grade plywood, laminates, and other engineered wood products that can be more durable and long-lasting than solid wood.
Finish and Durability: Finishing and durability of cabinetry are essential considerations. The factory-controlled environment ensures that each piece of cabinetry is finished to the highest standard, resulting in a durable finish that will withstand everyday wear and tear. Local millwork or carpentry shops may not have the same level of control over the finishing process, resulting in a finish that may not be as durable over time.
Research and development: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers invest significant resources into research and development to continually improve their products. This can include innovations like soft-close hinges, pull-out organizers, and other features that make kitchen cabinets more functional and user-friendly.
Quality control: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers may have more advanced quality control measures compared to local millwork shops due to several reasons:

The scale of production: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers typically produce cabinets on a larger scale than local millwork shops. This means that they may have more advanced machinery and technology that can aid in the production process, as well as more resources to invest in quality control measures.
Consistency: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers may place a greater emphasis on consistency across batches of cabinets due to the need for uniformity. This means that they may use more advanced technology such as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerical control (CNC) machines to ensure that each piece fits together perfectly, and that their quality control measures are designed to detect any defects or inconsistencies.
Certification and compliance: Kitchen cabinet manufacturers may need to comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) Certification Program, which has strict guidelines for product quality and safety. These certifications may require manufacturers to adhere to certain quality control standards, ensuring that their products meet the necessary requirements.
Customer expectations: Customers of kitchen cabinet manufacturers may have higher expectations for the quality of the products they purchase, particularly if they are paying a premium for custom-designed or high-end cabinets. As such, manufacturers may need to implement more robust quality control measures to meet these expectations.

Cabinet warranty: It’s possible that a local millwork shop’s product warranty may be limited due to financial costs. Unlike larger manufacturers that may have more resources to offer comprehensive warranties, a smaller local millwork shop may have to balance the cost of providing warranties with their business expenses.

Overall, the use of advanced machinery and technology in the production of manufactured kitchen cabinets can result in a highly precise and consistent finished product with a wide range of customization options and durable construction.
While millwork shops can produce high-quality cabinets, kitchen cabinet manufacturers typically have access to more advanced technology, materials, and processes that enable them to produce more consistent and efficient cabinets.

Urban Homes step to design a kitchen:

Assess your needs and budget: Consider the size of your kitchen, the amount of storage you need, and your budget.
Plan the layout: Choose the most efficient and ergonomic layout for your kitchen. You can use kitchen design software to help you with this.
Space planning: The designer creates a plan for the kitchen’s overall layout and the placement of appliances and cabinets
Select the materials: Choose materials for your cabinets, countertops, flooring, and walls. Consider durability, maintenance, and cost.
Choose appliances: Choose the appliances that meet your cooking needs and fit within your budget.
Budgeting: The designer works with the client to ensure that the kitchen design fits within the client’s budget.
Determine light lighten the lighting for each kitchen area, including overhead lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.
Add finishing touches: Select accessories and add details such as hardware, backsplashes, and window treatments.
Consult a professional: Consider working with a kitchen designer or contractor to ensure your kitchen design is functional, safe, and meets building codes.
Project management: The designer may also manage the kitchen remodeling or construction process, overseeing the work of contractors and ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget.
Our ultimate goal as kitchen designer is to create a kitchen that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing and that meets the client’s needs and exceeds their expectations.

what is design retainer
A design retainer is a fee that a client pays to a designer or design firm to secure their services for a specific project or period. A design retainer aims to establish a long-term relationship between the client and the designer and ensure that the designer is available to work on the client’s projects when needed.
The amount of a design retainer can vary depending on the project’s scope and the retainer agreement’s length. Typically, the retainer fee is paid upfront, and Urban Homes will deduct the cost of the design retainer from the agreement’s first payment.