If you’ve decided to hire a contractor to handle your custom cabinets, there’s work to do.  Planning your job ahead of time, measuring carefully, and evaluating several contractors before you accept a bid can mean the difference between satisfaction and pride–or recurring headaches with a haphazard cabinet job. There are plenty of people looking to do the work, so now it’s up to you to find the right one.

Home-improvement maven Bob Villa has a fine starting list of red flags to look for in evaluating custom cabinet contractors.  Be especially wary of door-to-door solicitors, contractors who only take cash for work, or who pressure you to get started immediately with a hefty down payment.  Many states or county building departments can require permits for kitchen remodeling jobs, and if your prospective contractor wants you to get the permit yourself, that can be an indicator that you’re dealing with a less-than-reputable company.

Evaluating Your Cabinet-Maker Prospects
The Council of Better Business Bureaus recommends that you measure your job before you measure your prospective kitchen cabinet contractors . You’ll need a baseline for comparing labor and materials costs. As you evaluate bids for customer cabinets, be sure to ask for a list of references.

Bob Villa suggests that you get a list of references who have had similar work done by your prospective contractor, people who won’t mind if you visit to look at the work and who will answer questions whether it was done on time, inside the budget, and completed to satisfaction.

Writers at Face Your Kitchen suggest that you insist that the cabinet contractor carries full insurance (licensing and bonding) in case of damage to your home or on-the-job injuries.

The European tradition of free-standing kitchen furniture has returned to vogue.  Even though trends in kitchen design are favoring clean, functional lines, The National Association of Realtors reports that American homeowners are adding free-standing cabinets, farmhouse sinks, and other unfitted elements that open up more room for views of windows or working counter space.

For centuries, Europeans have chosen free-standing cabinets and appliances for storage and functionality since they can pick up and move it all to a new home when it’s time to relocate.  A free-standing cabinet can also add charm to your existing kitchen design by allowing you to show off crystal or collector dishware.

The Hardwood Manufacturers Association credits English designers with the original implementation of free-standing cabinetry. It recommends buying pieces one at a time to conserve space, prevent clutter, and add workstations. You can also position a freestanding cabinet to block the view of existing cabinets or appliances that are less than attractive. Free-standing cabinets and mini-hutches or cutting surfaces can be made to roll on a tile floor for easy arrangement.

A writer at Home Improvement Adviser suggests shopping around antique stores for kitchen cabinets, however you can easily find them at today’s home improvement stores, cabinet suppliers, and custom design shops.  Many homeowners prefer to commission free-standing pieces to complement their existing cabinets and décor.

You’ll find a range of materials and costs in shopping around, from modern and light woods to maple or hickory cabinets in historical designs including Mission, Craftsman, or Shaker styles. If you have a busy kitchen, consider more portable, unfixed cabinets that can be moved into pantries or serving areas when not in use.

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, don’t forget to take advantage of energy efficient appliances. Outdated energy hogs will cost you in the long term. If you’re replacing countertops and cabinets, you might as well consider options for adding new cooktops, refrigerators, or dishwashers in your plans.

In its review of the most recent Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference, The National Kitchen & Bath Association reports that efficiency along with design in appliances took center stage among the top trends in kitchen remodeling priorities among consumers.  More and more, American homeowners want compact, efficient dishwashers, ranges, ovens and cooktops.

Searching for  Efficient Designs
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy lists a strategy for comparing efficiency in appliances in terms of low water use and energy.  The organization suggests optimal energy factors for kitchen countertop appliances (cooktops, microwaves, etc.) as well as for dishwashers and refrigerator/freezers.  In doing your homework to find long-range energy savings, there’s no reason why you should have to compromise on design and flair in your remodeling effort.

Energy Star-rated appliances are available at most home improvement and kitchen supply shops. The U.S. Department of Energy says you can save $75 annually in energy costs by selecting efficient appliances as well as heating and air-conditioning units for your newly remodeled kitchen.  Many new appliances cut back on energy use by as much as 50 percent.

Building energy consumption efficiency along with attraction and functionality in your kitchen renovation plans makes good sense. Even the  Federal Trade Commission has gotten into the act, advising consumers to consider the initial cost, the operating cost, and cost of maintenance for every kitchen appliance you add to your remodeling scheme.  Simple strategic positioning of a new refrigerator away from stoves and heat vents can make a huge difference in savings.

Although many Americans have put plans to sell their property on hold, they’re using the downturn in the economy as an opportunity to dress up, renovate, or restore their homes–especially their kitchens and baths. In the kitchen, one of the more economical ways to transform the look and function of your space is to add new cabinets or refinish existing ones. For those considering new or replacement kitchen cabinets, let’s examine some options.

There’s no need to feel reigned-in by a tight budget.  If you’re after ideas and inspiration, take a look at kitchen cabinet designs at the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Depending on your project scope, existing style, and room configurations, there’s a range of kitchen cabinets in the three major categories: stock, semi-custom and custom-made.

Cabinets by Type
Stock and semi-stock kitchen cabinets come in a wide range of prices and designs. You can also save money by choosing ready-to-assemble or pre-assembled cabinets and hardware over the option of having a completed set delivered to your door. Look over selections at your larger home-improvement centers or online. You can get some fresh ideas about stock and semi-stock kitchen cabinets from Bob Villa.

Standard base, American-made cabinets typically come in sets at 341/2-inches high and 24-inches deep, with 3/4-inch sides. You’ll have the most flexibility of price and features in semi-custom models where manufacturers and retailers adjust the cabinet bases or wall fittings, using fillers to accommodate your specifications. Home Depot also has suggestions for measuring cabinets and calculating kitchen space at its design center.

Custom or semi-custom cabinets are best installed by professionals.  Shop carefully and ask any cabinet shop how long it will take to complete your order (which can be anywhere from one to three months).