More than 25 years ago, Marcela Montoya looked at the way contractors were handling kitchen remodeling projects, and she realized there had to be a better way. Standard contractors typically started out as sales representatives, so their expertise was in sales tactics rather than design, construction, or service. Contactors made money by pressuring people into buying one-size-fits-all designs that didn't necessarily meet their needs.

Marcela decided to put clients ahead of profits, and she focused on building a business focused on providing the best quality service. The result was that her satisfied clients eagerly recommended her team to others, and the word spread.

Today, we still gain the majority of our new business from client recommendations. We don't advertise because we don't need to. We work hard to develop custom renovation plans that meet the needs and goals of each client. Then we execute the plans carefully, thoughtfully, and without wasted steps so that you don't have to wait any longer than necessary to enjoy your kitchen transformation.

FAQs About Custom Kitchen Remodeling

We are always happy to talk to you about your concerns and answer your individual questions. But to get you started thinking, here are some of the questions clients often ask about a Fort Lauderdale kitchen remodel.

Do You Offer Discounts?

Discounts are nothing more than psychological selling tools. Contractors routinely set a "normal" price at a high point so they can offer a "discount" and make potential clients think they're getting a special deal that is only available for a limited time. This tactic creates a sense of pressure that forces people to make a quick decision, and it is surprisingly successful.

We don't play that game. We use quality products with a solid warranty, and we price our work fairly to provide a decent profit margin. You don't have to wait for a sale or wonder if you should try to haggle to get the best deal. We offer our price up front so there's no guesswork and no pressure.

Will the Permit Process Delay My Project?

Some contractors insist that permits are not necessary and that they only add to the cost and time needed to complete a project. If any contractor tells you this-particularly in the case of a South Florida kitchen renovation-that should send up a red flag that you are not dealing with a professional.

Responsible contractors know that the permitting and inspection process is an essential protection for consumers. By requiring a qualified inspector to review the work at various stages, the inspection system ensures that the work contractors perform meets quality standards and is safe. Not only does having a permit ensure that critical work on plumbing, electrical, and other components has been completed correctly, it also keeps your insurance company satisfied and will enable you to market the improvements when the time comes to sell the property. Unpermitted work can provide grounds for your insurance company to deny coverage. It can also cause you to lose serious value when you try to sell your home.

Do You Offer Free Consultations and Drawings?

Like discounts, consultations are often used as selling tools where a contractor forces potential clients to listen to a sales pitch for a pre-packaged kitchen design. Your time is valuable, and that type of "consultation" wastes valuable time out of your day.

At Marcela Montoya Remodeling, our owner, Marcela, will meet with you to learn about your goals for the project and discuss ideas. This consultation is offered at no charge and gives both you and us the chance to determine whether we are the right team for your project.

Will we give you a set of drawings after that consultation? Since our designs are built around your specific goals and situation, we can't just print out plans on the spot the way we could if we were selling pre-packaged designs. It takes at least 4-7 hours to take detailed measurements and prepare drawings with the right dimensions. Marcela has architectural training that allows her to produce conceptual drawings, and she may prepare those during a consultation free of charge. But it takes time and focused effort to prepare detailed specification drawings for a custom kitchen design, so we charge for those services. If you choose to have our team perform the work, then the cost of the drawings is applied toward the cost of the project.

Can You Work with Contractors That I Use Already?

We do not feel confident guaranteeing the quality of our work when we don't know all of the professionals assigned to the job. That's not to say that your plumber or electrician aren't tremendously qualified-it just means that to us, they are an unknown commodity. We guarantee 100% satisfaction with all parts of a kitchen remodeling project, so we need to control the process from start to finish and that means we need to be extremely familiar with the work of every person connected with the project. We rely on crews who have been with us for many years, and we trust each member of the team to do the work right the first time. So, unfortunately, if you have subcontractors that you want to use on the renovation, we cannot serve as your general contractor.

How Long Will it Take to Remodel My Kitchen?

The duration of a Fort Lauderdale custom kitchen remodel will vary tremendously depending on the scope of the work as well as a few other factors. A smaller project could be completed within a matter of weeks, while a kitchen addition or large remodel could take several months. If you order custom products that are only available from one or two suppliers and those products are on backorder, that can delay the project significantly as well, and the timeline can become unpredictable due to worldwide shipping issues and other factors. During the design phase of the project, we will break down the process into sections and provide an estimated time for completion.

Do You Handle Superficial Cosmetic Updates Such as Cabinet Refacing?

At Marcela Montoya Remodeling, we aim to provide quality craftsmanship that will last for years. Rather than making a superficial change on top of cabinet frames, counters, or floors that may lack structural integrity, we prefer to ensure that the renovations are done right. This means that we generally expect our projects to cost at least $50,000 and we ensure that the investment you make with us is worth every penny.