Amish kitchen in Illinois

9 years ago

ILoveRed, (or anyone else) I'd love to hear more about your experience with your cabinet maker from Arthur. I've been dealing with a really bad situation on my kitchen for the last few weeks and I'm not sure what to do, but I need to find a new company to work with.

In a nutshell, there was an Amish cabinet maker who comes highly recommended by at least 4 people I know, 2 of whom are custom builders. He works with a specific designer who worked at a cabinet company. I met with the designer a number of weeks ago, but never heard back. I called his company and first was given the run around, and then they told me he was no longer there. No explanation, but I found out yesterday they told my builder he quit. This happened at a time when their other designer had just had a baby. So, I've worked with her over the phone for the last few weeks and was about ready to make a final decision in their favor, when in conversation with my builder yesterday he mentioned that they no longer carry the cabinet line associated with the designer because the contract goes with him. Punch to the gut--so what have they been quoting me all this time? I knew there was a new line, but thought it was in addition to the other guy. Nope.

So, I got ahold of the Amish cabinet maker this morning and he was pretty angry at the situation, saying that the other company actually fired his designer because he was getting on their case about not paying their bills and basically running a sort of Ponzi scheme in getting more and more 50% deposits on kitchens to pay off the previous kitchens. So by now I no longer don't know what I'm getting, I realize they've been really dishonest with me from the beginning. I can go directly to the cabinet maker but they are way behind on quotes, or I can go with their original designer in his new location, but I really didn't love his design skills from the beginning.

AARRRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!

Ok, Breathe.

Featured Answer

ootbubby

9 years ago

I don't know if there is more than one Amish cabinetry place in Arthur, IL, but I used Kenrose Cabinets in Arthur, IL (my house was finished June 2016) and they were fantastic. I am in Chicago. I know a number of other homes in my area that they've done or are currently working on. In addition to my kitchen, they did a lot of built in bookshelves and desks & cabinetry in two offices. My only complaint is that they are more like artists than like businessmen and communication is sometimes difficult. I worked with an interior designer who works with them. I would have had a hard time working with them directly, but a relative of mine just did and is pleased.

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Comments (10)

M Miller
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
This is why I go with well-established cabinet companies. Just because a cabinet maker has the word "Amish" tied to its name, it doesn't automatically mean they are like the good people of the movie Witness (Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, great movie, but totally Hollywood portrayal of idyllic Amish life).

There was a post a while back where someone said that they wanted Amish cabinetry because they feel like it must be made by good honest men in a small workshop using the old ways and everything by hand to last a lifetime. Nope, not the case. Better to use a well-regarded cabinet company with factory finishes and a good network of cabinet shops, and which is not going away any time soon.
housequester
Original Author
9 years ago
The debacle was not the fault of the Amish man making the cabinets. Like I said in my post, two well regarded custom builders (one who does very high end custom homes) have used and liked this cabinet maker, plus two other family members have used him and been extremely pleased with the results. I feel very confident that I would be happy with his product, which is priced more cheaply than other product lines I've looked at. It was the fault of a deceitful, non Amish middle man in an established business in our area who is skating pretty close to fraud.

My request for another was to get specific recommendations from people who are happy with the product they received. I've talked to other companies with "well established cabinet lines" and may yet go with them, but I'd like other options as well.
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rantontoo
9 years ago
Why not contract directly with the Amish cabinet maker?
housequester thanked rantontoo
housequester
Original Author
9 years ago
Rantoo, I could deal directly with him, but when I talked to him he told me he is very swamped for quotes (as in weeks behind) and at our stage in our build I need to move fairly quickly. I'm sure something will work out. It may be we go back to the company we were going to use before we started down this road. It will mean more money for a cheaper made product, but I know I'll be happy with that designer. Thanks!
ILoveRed
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just seeing this post. We haven't even started our house yet but definitely will be considering this place. I have a lot of faith in them. We toured the place with our kd. You have to work through a kd. And you have to give them enough time. Their scheduling board is incredible.

They are near Tuscola Arthur area. Why not call them and go there for a tour. May I ask where you are located?

eta..message me if you don't want to put it on the board. We have a custom company here that I can recommend also that is pretty incredible. Don't know what there lead time is. They go pretty far for installation.

https://www.dhhinfo.com/
housequester
Original Author
9 years ago
Ilovered, I can't figure out how to message! We're about 2 hrs west of Champaign, maybe a bit less.
ILoveRed
9 years ago
You don't have your message capability setting turned on.

I don't remember how to do it.

heads up to anyone that can explain how please.
ILoveRed
9 years ago
Click on:

Edit profile

account

advance settings...bottom of page...allow anyone to message you.
deel1820
9 years ago
I lived in Champaign-Urbana, IL for over 40 years and suggest you contact Cabinetland in Farmer City, Il -- they are a retail store for Schrock cabinet company from Arthur, IL and have excellent service. Sorry I don't have a phone number for them, but you can google it.
housequester thanked deel1820