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Kitchen Design Specialists

Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, Ceramic Tile, General Remodeling,

About us

Kitchen Design Specialists specializes in serving customers who want to remodel their kitchen or bath. Beginning with the kitchen or bath design, our designers help you through each step of the selection process. We offer a variety of cabinetry options. Because Kitchen Design Specialists is a full service remodeling company, we are able to perform the full range of renovations necessary to bring your ideas to life. We will come to your home and listen to your ideas and give you a rough idea of the cost. There is no charge for this initial consultation. When you are ready to pursue a design and make selections, we will ask you for a design retainer which will be credited back to you when you place your order. We are happy to provide you with references from some of our many satisfied customers. Our customers tell us that they like our creativity, our quality work and the way we treat their homes while we are working there. Our staff follows a thorough process of selections so that all your choices are made before the process begins. This means that you will not be asked to make selections during the stress of deadlines but also results in our company having very few change orders. Because of this process most of our customers find that their final cost is exactly the price we quoted them unless they made a change. Though we use subcontractors, we work with the same people regularly so that we know them and their work and are able to stand behind everything they do for you.

Business highlights

21 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Countertop Replacement, Cabinet Refacing, Flooring, Tile, Backsplash, Granite Countertops, Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design, Window & Door Replacements

Services we don't offer

N/A

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes


Accepted payment methods

Check
MasterCard
Visa

Reviews

4.510 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
70%
4
20%
3
0%
2
10%
1
0%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.4
value
4.2
professionalism
4.5
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
4.3
Showing 1-10 of 10 reviews

Larry G.
03/2016
4.0
ceramic tile, remodeling, home remodeling
  + 1 more
Excellent job with cabinet installation, painting, door installations. Top notch carpentry. Energetic, conscientious workers. Sales person very helpful with the selection process. Poor job on sub floor in kitchen and main bathroom. Porcelain tiles began to pop. At first year several cracked tiles were replaced in the kitchen. At second year numerous cracked tiles. Kitchen Design Specialists did not return my calls or emails. When the tiles were fixed after year one, I expressed concern that the tiles would continue to crack based on what I had learned was a botched subfloor install. (3/8 new plywood installed over existing 44 year old plywood.) Even tiles that they had replaced after the first year were cracked again at year two. When I expressed my concern at year one that the warranty was up I was told by the owner's son, the main installer, not to worry, that he would take care of any issues. I emailed him and called him several times, no response. I called the business and left several messages for two other family business members and received no replies. In one of the bathrooms a wall was knocked out for a new shower. The salesman told me that they would match up the plaster (sand swirled plaster textured finish) They used smooth drywall, which did not match up with the plaster, and told me that the texture was painted on. Since I had decided to do the painting myself in that room, they told me, it was my job. They were clearly unaware of textured plastering procedures used in the 1960s. The tiled shower that was built in the main bathroom was not well planned. Bull nose edge tiles were not ordered in time, and the glass installer installed the shower doors an inch or so farther back into the shower. The Corian seat was not sized correctly, and protrudes over the tiles on the end that sticks out through the glass, but is flush on the surface inside the shower. The small piece of drywall framing the shower and separating it from the closet became waterlogged shortly after the remodel. The installer said that water was running off of the lip of the shower base on the outside when the door was being opened. He put an odd piece of tile as a cove baseboard on that wall. Overall, the tile contractor did a fabulous job with the tile work in the shower. When the owner himself came to inspect the job (and collect his money) these complaints were all expressed to him. He seemed to think everything looked good and showed little or no concern about the issues we had. At the time we did not press the issues, since we had just gone through 2 1/2 months with our house torn apart. I was assured that the tile issues would be resolved as needed. We can live with the small oddities of the shower, because overall it looks great. But I would sure like to have a long-term resolution on the floors. If they had the professional courtesy to return my calls, and took action to fix my floors, I would consider recommending them. At this point, I cannot recommend this company.
Description of Work: Remodeled Kitchen and two Bathrooms, installed doors.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
5.0

$60,000

Pranav M.
10/2015
5.0
remodeling
  + -1 more
.
Description of Work: .
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300

Russell S.
08/2014
5.0
custom cabinets, remodeling, home remodeling
  + 1 more
In short, this project was fantastic and exceeded our expectations. We had our old kitchen completely gutted and replaced. Chris came up with a design that met our needs perfectly with respect to spacing, storage and appliance location. We are all electric but have an LP tank for a fireplace. Chris suggested purchasing a gas cooktop. Since I love cooking on gas, I thought this was a tremendous idea and is possibly my favorite feature of the new kitchen. We have a large family and can now easily move through the kitchen and work together where previously we were crowded and impeded each other to our frustration. We literally look at this kitchen every day and can't believe it's ours. Jeremy ran the job and kept to the schedule like it was a CIA operation. The quality of his work is outstanding; we couldn't be happier. We had a few adders, like installation of a floor that I was initially going to do myself, which were very reasonably priced. I rated pricing a B because it's an expensive job. However, I suspect that comparable work from other contractors would have been priced comparably. Kristy did an amazing job helping us to pick out cabinetry and making suggestions. This team worked together wonderfully and produced something that we never could have pictured. KDS is on my very short list for any future work
Description of Work: Full kitchen remodel

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$40,000

Jonathan S.
07/2014
4.0
ceramic tile, home remodeling
  + 0 more
Meh. Cantly of KDS did a stellar job. Sub-contractors were clean, polite and competent.
Description of Work: Re-tile bathroom. Finishing work and painting. Sub-contracted plumbers and electricians. KDS set a schedule for all work, and stayed close to that through out the renovation.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
4.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
3.0
punctuality
3.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$20,000

Sharon & David W.
07/2013
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
Very happy with their services at this point. They have redesigned the kitchen and done a wonderful job. They have been very professional. The kitchen has not been remodeled at this point. This is the Lancaster office. We worked with Tim.
Description of Work: Designed kitchen remodel and will complete the work.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Beverly R.
09/2012
2.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
I'm not happy with the finished result around the peninsula and base cabinet because the wood grain and finish do not match my existing cabinets at all. The company has not been responsive to my request to replace and fix the wood. Their response has been that if the company that makes the panels judge they fall within their quality for wood grain and finish then there is nothing Kitchen Design Specialists will do to fix my problem. I allowed the installer to put on the panels, even after I told him it didn't look right and didn't match. His exact response was and quot;We can order a replacement, but there is no guarantee it won't look worseand quot;. I felt pressured to allow him to complete the work because I was assured the company would stand behind their work by the salesman/designer. I also paid for the work as requested on completion when I should have with held the final payment. I have been very patient in waiting for a response from the salesman/designer I dealt with, calling multiple times and waiting days to get a return call. I took pictures of the wood panels and forwarded them to the KDS as requested only to find out later that they couldn't find them. The salesman came out to my home and took pictures and again I waited to hear from him, no call back for over 2 weeks. Weeks passed between comunication. I have asked several times to speak to the owner of the company and so far have not gotten a call back. The salesman/designer told me several times that the company and its owner would not let me be unhappy with the work done, but so far this has not been true. I am still waiting for a resolution to this problem. The maker of the panels has not gotten in touch with me, and KDS has not informed me of any decision pending. I paid promptly and have been patient and polite in all comunication with this business. My kitchen now looks like cabinets that don't match and work that was done without any regard to the finished product.
Description of Work: I had Kitchen Design Specialists replace stationary shelves in my cabinets with sliding shelves to make access easier and had a cabinet lifted to accomidate a larger refrigerator when needed. I also had the wood overlay on the back of a peninsula, end of peninsla and a base cabinet replaced with new wood. The work order read "Standard Stains and Finishes to closely match existing cabinets".

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
2.0
value
4.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
3.0

$2,100

Response from Kitchen Design Specialists
On February 24, 2012, the member requested that KDS quote the installation of new Hickory panels in her existing Hickory kitchen which was installed about ten years ago. At our first meeting on March 2, 2012, she and I discussed the difference in the aging of wood stain. She had a door from her existing kitchen that had been removed during installation in order to place a television in that space. This door had been kept in a closet out of sight. We compared this door to the new natural hickory sample I brought from our showroom. The member and I agreed that the match was perfect. I informed her that the new panels would match the sample, but with time they would age and mellow to more closely her existing kitchen. We also discussed that Hickory wood is a more varied wood type and its natural look will have light and dark variations throughout the panels. ON May 15, 2012, the member signed contract with KDS and authorized KDS to order the new Hickory panels and complete other work stated in the proposal. As we went through contract signing, the member and I reviewed and signed the Cabinetry and Countertop Characteristics and Care. Acknowledgement (see Attachment K) which specifically mentions Hickory as a wood that has distinct variations. Upon hearing that the member was unhappy with her panels, scheduled an in-home meeting. On July 12, 2012, I went to her home to examine the panels and take photos to see if they would qualify for warranty replacement panels from the supplier. The panels do not meet the supplier’s warranty replacement standards, however, I informed her that KDS is willing to replace the back panel, as it is the most exposed piece. I also informed her that the replacement piece could very likely look similar to the piece currently installed in her home due to the nature of natural Hickory wood. Currently, I am waiting to hear from the member if she would like us to order the replacement back panel. As KDS supplied all the product and services agreed to in the contract, KDS is unable to issue a refund at this time. Attachment K Cabinetry and Countertop Characteristics and Care Acknowledgement: Wood Cabinetry • Wood is a natural substance, and therefore is likely to have some variances in color and in grain even within the same piece or cabinet. These variances are not defects and will not be replaced under the warranty. • Certain types of wood, notably Hickory, will have significant differences in color. Rustic Alder and Cherry will have knots that could exceed the one inch on 25% of the cabinets. Lyptus can vary from very light, almost white to a darker red. This variation will be more noticeable with a lighter stain. • Wood stain is meant to bring out certain hues in the wood, not to change its color altogether. Therefore, even when stain is applied to wood, there can still be variation in color and grain. Lighter stains, such as Yorktowne’s Champagne, will still show any knots or grain lines present in the wood. Certain grain characteristics in Maple wood with the lighter opaque stains may produce gray marks. These marks are not defects and will not be replaced under the warranty. • Wood color will change with age. Some woods, such as Cherry, will darken more noticeably than others. With Cherry stains we recommend a selection one or two shades lighter than the ultimate desired color with the expectation that within two to three years the color will darken-especially in rooms with significant sunlight. • Samples are examples of color within a range of variation. Samples may not match the finished product exactly. • Glazing finishes are meant to be artistic. These finishes will have variations inherent to the process and theses variations are not considered defects and will not be replaced under the warranty. • If your project involves new cabinetry in the same room as pre-existing cabinetry, the new cabinetry will not match the old even if the new cabinets are the same manufacturer and stain, due to the age of the wood and stain variations. • Wood doors normally require 6-12 months to acclimate to the humidity levels and environment of your home. Kitchen Design Specialists will not consider replacing warped doors until at least 9 months have elapsed. • Features not covered by the above descriptions may be considered defects in finish, construction or workmanship if they are visible from 5 feet away. Countertops • Some countertops are more durable than others. While all our countertops will stay in good condition with regular cleaning and proper care, darker colored countertops have a tendency to show smudges and scratches more easily regardless of material. • Porous Countertops are less stain-resistant than non-porous countertops. Granite is a porous material. A permanent granite sealer is available but is not included in this contract unless specified. • Quartz and Granit, are heat resistant and scratch resistant, but man-made countertop materials are not necessarily heat or scratch resistant. KDS recommends protection when using hot items on stone countertops. • Laminate Countertops are not water resistant to standing water on seams. Failing to regularly dry water from the countertop or draping wet towels and /or rags over counter edges will result in swelling that will not be covered by warranty. • Laminate, Granite and quartz countertops will have visible seams. Seam locations will be determined at template and will vary in location according to size of material and ability of the fabricator at his discretion. We strongly encourage homeowners to be present at the template to that any details important to you may be addressed. Your signature below acknowledges that all seam locations that are important to you have been noted on the approved drawings.

Christine O.
07/2012
5.0
home remodeling, cabinet refacing
  + 0 more
We contacted KDS in March, 2012. The owner came to our home and took notes and pictures of our kitchen. We met again two weeks later to go over in detail what we wanted. One week later, we met again at the office to pick our design and color for the doors, signed the contract and made a deposit. The actual work began on June 20, 2012 and was completed on July 20, 2012. We are very pleased with the outcome. The workers were punctual and very pleasant to have in our home. We would definitely use this company again and recommend them highly.
Description of Work: Our cabinet doors were in bad shape and outdated. We had all of our cabinets refaced with a much better quality product. We also had new recessed lighting installed, carpentry work and touch-up painting. Everything looks beautiful

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$14,000

Susan G.
07/2012
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
I thought they were good. They took care of everything. They subcontracted different aspects like the painting of the ceiling, they took care of the lighting, they took care of the electrical, and they took care of the plumbing. They just took care of everything. They gave us an agenda for each day on who was coming and what was going to be done.
Description of Work: I used Kitchen Design Specialists to remodel my kitchen.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$23,000

Aaron H.
03/2012
5.0
ceramic tile, countertops, home remodeling
  + 1 more
This was a very positive experience. The KDS home office is in the Lancaster area, however a Camp Hill office has been since early 2011. The Camp Hill office is convenient to anyone living in the greater Harrisburg area. A KDS representative visited our home and carefully listened to our ideas about the modifications we had in mind. Within a short period of time we were presented with a tentative proposal that described the scope of the project and a preliminary estimate of costs. After accepting the tentative proposal we worked with a design specialist (Adam) to select the new countertop, lighting and plumbing fixtures, etc. This part of the project was fun. We especially appreciated the good suggestions from Adam that were presented with humor but with no pressure. With all of the choices made, the next step was a detailed proposal and the signing of the contract to proceed with the work. Construction began shortly thereafter. At this point it is appropriate to mention that KDS is a family owned and operated business. Adam, our designer, is the son of the company's owner. Our construction crew was made up of two more family members; Adam's brother Jeremy and their brother-in-law, Cantlee. These young men are best characterized as being skilled and professional and having an outstanding work ethic. We enjoyed having them in our home and appreciated the work they did. Never was a minute wasted. Wen a small problem arose there was always a creative resolution. During the project there were two unforeseen issues that arose. In both cases we were presented with options for solutions, the pros and cons of the alternatives, and an estimate of the costs involved. Our project took roughly three weeks. There were brief periods when no work was being done at our home. We would have been happier if the schedule had been different and if the job had been completed sooner. In the end, however, the result was outstanding. All of our expectations have been met and we are quite happy with the finished project. Kitchen Design Specialsts are recommended from their professionalism, their skill, ann their honesty. Working with them was a pleasure.
Description of Work: Our project was a signigicant remodeling of our kitchen. The existing cabinets, flooring, and some appliances were retained. While the cabinets were not replaced, some were modified and repositioned to accommodate upgraded appliances. Cabinet hardware was replaced and the cabinets were thoroughly refreshed by by repairing scrapes and scratches. The interior of a small pantry was improved by covering exposed studs with drywall, replacing the pantry door, and painting of the closet. A laminate counter top was replaced with quartz; the laminate backsplash was replaced with ceramic tile. Wall paper was stripped and the walls were painted. Two walls of the dining area were covered, in part, with ceramic tile to match the new backsplash. Lighting was modified to a great extent. Two ceiling fixtures were retained. Lighting above the sink was replaced; track lights and under cabinets were added. The kitchen sink was upgraded and new plumbing fixtures were installed.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$20,000

Aaron H.
06/2011
5.0
ceramic tile, countertops, home remodeling
  + 1 more
Kitchen Design Specialists is a family owned and operated business, headquartered in Lancaster, and with an office in Camp Hill. Our first encounter with KDS was at their display at the Harrisburg Home Builders Show. We were impressed by the quality of the products on display, the willingness of their representative to provide straightforward answers to our questions, and by the friendly and professional demeanor of their staff. After talking to representatives of other contractors we decided to return to the the KDS booth to learn more about Kitchen Design Specialists and how they could meet our needs. A few days later a kitchen designer, Adam, met with us in our home. Adam listened carefully as we described our wish list; he made suggestions, and provided alternate ideas as our meeting progressed. What was remarkable about this meeting was Adam's knowledge of the products available and the pros and cons of each. And we noticed his artistic flair, a quality that would become even more apparent later. Within a week we were presented with a tentative plan and budget for our kitchen renewal project. Satisfied with both, we decided to contract with KDS to do the job. Over the next week or two we met with Adam several more times. He took us to the showrooms of the suppliers of plumbing products, lighting fixtures, and tile. In KDS's Camp Hill showroom we were able to looks at paint colors and samples of countertops. It was during this phase that Adam's creativity became more obvious. He has a great eye for color and an outstanding sense of style. He was having fun helping us; that made the process enjoyable as well as productive. Once the choices were made, the final plan was developed, and the contract was signed we were ready to move on to the project of remodeling our kitchen. Within just a few days we met two more members of the KDS family; Jeremy and Cantlee did the bulk of the work on our project. The hallmarks of their work are great skill, a knack for problem solving, a solid work ethic, patience, good humor, and more. One of the tasks they performed was to shorten, by four inches, the cabinet above our range. This was done to accommodate an over the range microwave and hood. One would be very hard put to look at the cabinet and determine that it had been modified at all. The same pride in workmanship was evident in every task involved with the remodeling. Equally important, perhaps, was our confidence that we were dealing with honest and ethical persons; we had no hesitation to have them in our home even if we were not present. As with any project of this dimension, there were frustrations; most of them were minor. We would have been happier if the work could have been finished a bit sooner. There were several days when no one was working in our home. But, delay is common in such projects, and the work was finished just a few days past the target completion date. In the end, we have a beautifully remodeled kitchen and the work was done by creative, skilled, and trustworthy KDS staff members. I strongly recommend Kitchen Design Specialists, and do so without hesitation.
Description of Work: Kitchen remodeling including new countertop, sink, plumbing fixtures, ceramic tile backsplash, ceramic tile wainscoting in dining area. New above the sink recessed lights were added, along with track lighting, and under cabinet lighting. Existing cabinets were modified to accommodate new appliances; new drawer pulls and hinges were also installed. A new door and associated trim were installed for a pantry closet. The interior of the pantry, including wooden shelves was painted. Previously installed wallpaper was removed; the entire kitchen, including trim was painted. The workmen installed several consumer provided items such as a wall TV bracket, and under-counter toaster-oven mount.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$12,000

    Contact information

    2134 Creek Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601

    http://www.kdslancaster.net

    Licensing

    Insured

    Eco-friendly Accreditations

    LEED Accredited Professional
    No
    Energy Star Partner
    No
    EPA Lead-Safe Certified
    Yes
    Use Green Products or Work Practices
    No
    State Contractor License Requirements

    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

    *Contact business to see additional licenses.


    Service Categories

    Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
    Ceramic Tile,
    General Remodeling,
    Countertops and Backsplashes,
    Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing,
    Cabinet Making,
    Basement Remodeling,
    Lead Testing & Removal,
    Marble and Granite,
    Flooring Sales and Installation

    FAQ

    Kitchen Design Specialists is currently rated 4.5 overall out of 5.
    Kitchen Design Specialists accepts the following forms of payment: Check,MasterCard,Visa
    Yes, Kitchen Design Specialists offers free project estimates.
    Yes, Kitchen Design Specialists offers eco-friendly accreditations.
    No, Kitchen Design Specialists does not offer a senior discount.
    No, Kitchen Design Specialists does not offer emergency services.
    Yes, Kitchen Design Specialists offers warranties.
    Kitchen Design Specialists offers the following services: Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Countertop Replacement, Cabinet Refacing, Flooring, Tile, Backsplash, Granite Countertops, Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design, Window & Door Replacements
    N/A

    Contact information

    2134 Creek Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601

    http://www.kdslancaster.net