| Frequently asked questions... |
If YOU have a question to ask Deborah James, submit it now at studio@deborahjameskitchens.com Please mark your email: "FAQs".
Watch this space for more FAQs...
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Q: What experience does Deborah James Kitchens bring to the table?
A: Our experience is vast. Our team includes:
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A former Rutt Flagship owner, Chicago Merchandise Mart, with 30 years' experience (Debi);
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A marketing professional with over 25 years' experience in the home building industry in the UK (Stephen);
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A chief AutoCAD engineer with over a decade of experience with Rutt, Siematic, and Poliform (Rachelle);
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A second generation factory owner (president of our affiliate factory in IN), a manufacturer of high-end labels in the kitchen industry;
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An associate who for 20 years created all the styles affiliated with Rutt Custom Cabinetry;An associate who was for over 20 years the VP of Sales and Marketing for Rutt Custom Cabinetry.
Q: How may my end-user clients view the product?
A. There are several ways:
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Our website illustrates real installations and real clients (see “Case Studies”);
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We “build to suit”, so the possibilities are infinite. You create, and we deliver a full sample to your studio;
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Optional sample sets are available at cost and these include a mini base 18”-square and a set of color samples. We will also provide samples at no charge for specific working projects;
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A show facility is currently in design at our state-of- the-art manufacturing facility in PA. Past clients in Chicago are also willing to open their doors to interior design profesionals registered with Deborah James;
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You may see a custom display cabinet at Anne Thull Fine Art Designs in the San Francisco Design Center; detailed specifications of this - manufactured in our 'Elite' line as well as our 'Custom Classic' line - are also available.
Q: Who creates the design of the kitchen?
A: You are the designer in charge: the design is yours. You may submit AutoCAD drawings or hand sketches, photographs, or 20/20 drawings to convey your design. Our shop drawings will include a full AutoCAD presentation of your kitchen, produced by our AutoCAD team, for your review. You may also review factory technical drawings if you wish (typically 75-100 pages per kitchen). Our final AutoCAD drawings are also “installation friendly” and should be utilized to install the product. We will provide as much design support as you require.
Q: Who handles the installation?
A: We liaise with your contractor or bespoke cabinetry fitter on the project to secure measurements and to plan the installation, utilizing our AutoCAD installation plans and shop drawings. Many interior design professionals are affiliated with a favorite installer. If you don't have one available, our representatives will help you by referring a local bespoke cabinetry fitter for you. We are a nationwide service so we have a nationwide database of professional installers/bespoke cabinetry fitters which we can put you in touch with if you need one.
Q: I am concerned about the legal liabilities, where do I stand?
That is no problem. Indeed you are less at risk when using Deborah James than you have ever been before, because we take responsibility for the procedures... All you have to do is to provide the correct information, specifications, etc you have always provided, and sign off on them as you have always done. The only difference is... now you are going to have the job done more professionally than you have ever enjoyed.
Q: What about measurements?
A: The procedure is the same as you have always done... the measurements are provided by your professional installer." We also require jobsite photography from you or your installer ("before" photos if remodeling) and photos of final framing.
Q: How are plans sent to me?
A: Plans are usually sent via email as PDF files, so that you can print them out on your computer for review. AutoCAD files may also be sent to you or the architect on the project. Either PDF files or AutoCAD files can be sent to your local blue printer as well.
Q: How is using Deborah James different from going to a local cabinet shop?
A: In several very important ways:
- We utilize two facilities for residential projects. Our Elite Line is produiced in a recently-established Pennsylvania facility, located in the heart of the traditional cabinet making industry, and with state-of-the-art manufacturing and finishing equipment representing millions of dollars of investment. We use Becker Acroma finishes - the world's finst - applied in a totally dust-free spray room. These products are equivalent or better than anything you see in Design Centers;
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Our Custom Classic line, comes from a long-established facility in Indiana with a purpose-built finish room;
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See first question: our experience would be impossible to duplicate in a small shop.
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There are hundreds of subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between cabinetry products you see in the high-end bespoke/custom compared with cabintry produced in your local cabinetry workshop.
Q: What you are offering all sounds too good to be true.
A: Yes, at first glance maybe so - this is because this is a whole new business model tailored specifically for YOU, the Interior Design Professional and Cabinetry Specifier; and to your end-user client. We have quite literally "thrown away the box" to ensure that it is YOU who gets the kudos, and it is YOU who gets the service. When interior design professionals and specifiers register to use our services and actually see it in action, they are overjoyed with the quality that our experience brings to the table.
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