CAROLINA CABINETS-CEDAR PNT

Fine as far as order and ok for installation. Some doors rub because of not properly spaced.

I originally received a quote from a local big box store for a complete kitchen remodel. The store provided turnkey service with design, ordering and installation of the cabinets. The big box store provided me with a quote, but after what appeared to be an excessive $ item for the install service - I decided to get a second quote from one of the local companies. I found Carolina Cabinets and went to their facility to look into what they could offer. I had the CAD drawing from the big box store and gave it to Paul at Carolina Cabinets so that they could draft up a quote. The quote came back a couple of days later about 75% of what the big box was offering and it appeared to be the same style/color of cabinets. Happy with the quote and quicker turnaround time, I gave him a deposit of 1/2 of the price and set up a time for Paul to come out and to do his own measurements. A few days later, Paul came out to measure and confirms the CAD drawing that I had given him. After this, things started to go downhill........ As per the quote, I called Paul after 3 weeks to inquire if the cabinets were ready and if we could set up an installation time/date. I was informed by his assistant that the cabinets were not yet completed and they would get back to me in a week. A week passes and no word. I then called again and asked what was going on and they offered a thin excuse for the delay and that everything was now ready and they could install next week. They asked me move everything out of the kitchen so that the installers could put in the cabinets. I personally found this odd, since this was supposed to be "turnkey", but I didn't argue as I needed my kitchen cabinets installed as soon as possible in order to list the property for the upcoming rental season. The day came for the installation and the installer showed up with a helper. They both were friendly and quickly began work on the installation. About an hour into it, the installer came to me and said that "we have a problem...." As it turns out, the soffit was uneven, which would leave an unsightly 3/4" gap on the one end of the cabinet run. The installer said that he called Paul and that I was to take it up with him. I agreed and then began inspecting the cabinets to ensure everything else was in order. Upon review, the cabinets were not of the best quality and you could see dust/hair specs in the paint. The glazing on the doors were uneven and only on the one side. The worst part was that the refrigerator surround was not per the CAD drawing. The CAD drawing had a full enclosure around the fridge - going from the top of the fridge to the ceiling with a false wall on the left hand side to encase everything. What was there was a small cabinet about the same size as a microwave cabinet, which was entirely too small for the space. If installed, the cabinets Paul sent over would have left a sizeable gap above the fridge. I told the installer not to install it and that I would again take it up with Paul. The following week, I went down to discuss with Paul and he said that he would work fix the gap and the fridge. But he did ask if there was any way that we could make the short cabinet above the fridge work - that he would really hate to have to "eat the price of the cabinet". We discussed it a bit more and I agreed to work with him. After our conversation, it was clear that the reason the cabinet was too short was that he had mis-measured and had "thought" there was a soffit above the fridge, when there wasn't. Since there wasn't a soffit, I suggested that in order to make this work, that he could create a false soffit with a piece of plywood and then install the cabinet underneath. He said that he would begin work on the fix and in the meantime would have the installer fix the gap. The installer came a few weeks later and fixed the gap and during this time Paul was "supposedly" working on the fix for the fridge. Several weeks went by and I called to follow up. Each time that I called, Paul was unavailable and never returned any of my calls. After a month and numerous phone calls, emails, etc - I finally got him on the phone. He proceeded to tell me that he hasn't gotten to it yet and that he's been on vacation and he had other jobs that he was working on. Up until this point, I had been very laid back and rolled with the missed timelines, the shoddy work and lack of response. I proceeded to get upset with him and explain how this was completely unacceptable, that he has yet to meet one timeline, promise or commitment. He floundered for a bit on the phone and then tried to claim that I "changed the plans" mid project. I inquired how I changed anything? That the only thing I had requested was for the cabinets to look like the CAD drawing that was presented to him on day one. This is what was agreed to and expected. I explained to him that I have been more than accomodating and I even worked with him so that he wouldn't have to "eat his mistake". He floundered a bit more claiming he didn't recall the CAD drawing and I had to remind him that in his own quote he stated "Manufacture Cabinets per your Drawings Raised Panel Finish....." It was amazing to see him try to shift the blame for his own mistakes. I told him that I expect the job to be completed as per plans and when I tried to press him for a date, he just said "I don't know" and "I can't give a quote yet". I hung up the phone frustrated and disappointed beyond belief with this fiasco of Paul and his company. I proceeded to wait 3 weeks and never heard anything from Paul. I then decided enough was enough and had to send him a cease work order and ended up having to go with another company to fix Paul's errors. I thought that I was doing a good thing by helping out the little guy - in the end - it was just one huge mistake to go with Carolina Cabinets of Cedar Point. The delay not only cost me time, money & frustration - it also significantly delayed my property from being listed on the rental market. All in all, it took 3 times as long to get the kitchen installed compared to the quote the big box had given. While in the beginning Paul appeared to be a bit cheaper - it cost me so much more in frustration and money. In my opinion/experience, Carolina Cabinets has zero ethics/commitment to their customers and they produce a mid to low quality cabinet. If I had to do over again, I would definitely not use Carolina Cabinets of Cedar Point for any of my cabinetry work.