There has been a lot of very good advice here. i think you have made the right decision.
When I was a mason contractor (this isn't about cabinets, but the philosophy is the same), I did a lot of custom work, especially very off shoot style fireplaces. I loved it when a customer asked me to design something unusual. Those were the most enjoyable, as well as time consuming, jobs.
along the way, i landed an account working for a builder whose work i did for over twenty years until i had to retire (back problems did me in finally) He often gave me free reighn for fireplace, and even some exterior masonry projects, designs. When we were working on custom jobs with direct contact with the home owner, we got along great. Everybody was happy. we made money and the customer received complete satisfaction from an unusual job well done that they could show off for their friends.
Towards the end of our relationship (we remained friends, I just could not handle te bending over masonry any more), we got into several spec house jobs. the builder decided there was more money in specing than in custom jobbing. Of course the realtors suddenly showed their heads and we found ourselves in debates when it came to trying to design in some originality and immagination. They just would not stand for that. The pricing was based more on space and location than on (extra) quality of craftsmanship. As long as it looked good, they could sell it. If the cost to design extra quality was to be greater than the house down the road, forget it. Let the new owners add their own immagination and quality AFTER they buy. Just make it look good for the sale.
That was pounded into us time and again. The builder finally got out of the spec home biz and went back to custom jobs.
Tinker
When I was a mason contractor (this isn't about cabinets, but the philosophy is the same), I did a lot of custom work, especially very off shoot style fireplaces. I loved it when a customer asked me to design something unusual. Those were the most enjoyable, as well as time consuming, jobs.
along the way, i landed an account working for a builder whose work i did for over twenty years until i had to retire (back problems did me in finally) He often gave me free reighn for fireplace, and even some exterior masonry projects, designs. When we were working on custom jobs with direct contact with the home owner, we got along great. Everybody was happy. we made money and the customer received complete satisfaction from an unusual job well done that they could show off for their friends.
Towards the end of our relationship (we remained friends, I just could not handle te bending over masonry any more), we got into several spec house jobs. the builder decided there was more money in specing than in custom jobbing. Of course the realtors suddenly showed their heads and we found ourselves in debates when it came to trying to design in some originality and immagination. They just would not stand for that. The pricing was based more on space and location than on (extra) quality of craftsmanship. As long as it looked good, they could sell it. If the cost to design extra quality was to be greater than the house down the road, forget it. Let the new owners add their own immagination and quality AFTER they buy. Just make it look good for the sale.
That was pounded into us time and again. The builder finally got out of the spec home biz and went back to custom jobs.
Tinker
I had decided to take up kayaking and arranged with a dealer to try out some boats. Debra, an ardent kayaker, was a friend of his and he felt we might take a liking to each other so, unbeknownst to either of us, he arranged for her to be there the day I tried out the boats. He also offered up 'free' lessons as a way to increase the likelihood we would come in contact on other occasions. Well it worked. I had taken up kayaking because it was something I could do by myself, as I felt the prognosis for ever meeting someone to share my life with was getting slimmer by the year. Ironically,once I got to the point where I could be alone without being lonely I wound up not being alone.
