By Anne Patterson
Ken Rabbins, president of the remodeling firm Building Systems Technology (New York), takes on some tough projects, at least in terms of logistics. He specializes in gutting and restoring high-end prewar apartments, which means that his men face challenges of parking, access and time constraints in apartment buildings (in general, with noise regulations, remodelers can only work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.).
But even with the hassle of transporting custom woodwork from his shop to the job site, he much prefers to retain the control he can have only at his own facility. "If you have a shop, use it," Ken says. "The only time you might want to build items like cabinets on site is if you are working in unoccupied space. Even then, you do not have the same kind of control as when you're working in your shop."
Ken outlines some of the benefits of doing as much of the carpentry work as possible in the shop:
- Better quality control, especially of finishes. If other work is being done on the job site, dust and debris in the air may disturb your finish. "And if you are doing a lacquer finish, the EPA might go after you in an apartment building," Ken warns.
- Ability to work faster and more skillfully. In your shop, you have all your tools close at hand, and there are few space constraints in laying out the job. And you don't have to spend time cleaning up after each period of work.
- No time constraints. You can work as long as you want in your shop.
- No opportunities for client criticism of your work. "Clients often have a way of offering advice or opinions," Ken says. Usually, this advice comes before the work is complete and in its final form, so it can require a lengthy, time-wasting explanation.
When you have to go stock
Not all of BST's clients have the budget for custom cabinetry, and Ken will help them buy stock cabinets from stores like Ikea or Home Depot. He offers pointers on what to look for in stock cabinets:
- Choose cabinets with full-extension slides on drawers.
- Don't worry if the shell (the box) is plywood.
- Avoid medium density fiberboard (MDF) in lower cabinets. Moisture will make MDF swell.
- The bottom panels of large drawers should be 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch thick.
Ken offers some additional suggestions for affordable kitchen remodeling using stock cabinets to save money:
- On self-assembly cabinets, use carpenter's glue for tighter, longer lasting joints.
- Higher quality knobs and pulls will make the cabinets look more expensive.
- Select a better quality sink.
Such practical, money-saving hints are useful for projects without the budget for custom work, but Ken much prefers jobs that let him spread his cabinetmaker wings--and not just for the opportunity for bigger profits. A true craftsman at heart, he always enjoys the chance to create beautiful cabinetry in his very own shop.
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