Although the design/build format is well-known in commercial construction, it's still relatively new (within the last decade or so) for the residential field.
It's pretty straightforward: we design what we build. Clients come to us for one-stop shopping, and streamlined direction from start to finish.
At Main Street Kitchens, Scott Westby is both the contractor and the owner with a showroom, in-house designers and an in-house construction crew.
Why design/build?
- You know what you're getting before construction even starts.
- All design solutions have been worked out in advance. No running around last-minute looking for a tile or faucet.
- Projects stay within budget.
- Construction is not only started on time, but finishes on time.
But isn't design/build expensive?
No. It's all about control - control over the budget, the schedule, the trades, and our own in-house team of designers and crew. It's about finding out your budget in advance - not getting a low initial number and then being hit with multiple high-dollar change orders throughout your project. It's about experience -- knowing the quirks of the products, and having top-notch trades to do the job right.
It's about professionalism and creating something that lasts.
While many of our clients come to us looking for beautiful design and function, we also have some wonderfully simple projects that weren't investment-heavy at all. (By simple, we mean sticking to solid design work - using gorgeous porcelain alternatives vs. embossed and pricey handmade tiles, or selecting a stylish cabinet door that saves the budget vs. the most complex.)
Your choices have a lot to do with what the investment will be.
How much does it cost?
Good question! You might be surprised to discover we're one of the few companies posting our ranges for our projects. We started this back in 2004 and had such overwhelmingly positive response that we're continuing it here with our new website. We've completed:
- kitchens between $ 40,000 and $ 150,000
- hall baths from $ 20,000 - $ 35,000
- master baths between $ 30,000 - $ 70,000
- entire homes from $ 200,000 - $ 600,000
- additions from $ 110,000 - $ 400,000
Sure. We know that's a wide range but with today's hundreds of choices, it's hard to pin down where your budget will be without some initial help on your part.
To give you some ideas, click on the link to our Projects here or look for the tab near the top of the page. We hope you'll enjoy looking at the "before & after" photos while you're there.
How long have you been in business?
Main Street Kitchens opened its doors in March of 2001.
Do you have proof of general liability and workers' compensation?
Yes, and yes. As a licensed professional construction company, we wouldn't have it any other way. We also conduct bi-weekly crew safety meetings for our own additional "insurance."
You'll find us on the California Contractors State Licensing Board by searching with our contractor license number: # 798955. The name is listed under the owner: Scott Westby; we do business as Main Street Kitchens.
Our general liability insurance is with Colony Insurance. The policy number is GL3873718 good from 8-11-10 to 8-11-11 and renewed annually at the appropriate date.
We're also a EPA lead-safe certified firm. If your home was built prior to 1978, any contractor, painter, or window installer who does work in your home must following proper care in removing the debris -- it's the law. Check out the "Renovate Right" pamphlet and the EPA's website for more information.
What type of work do you do?
"Our specialty is designing and creating spaces for people who are planning to stay in their home for awhile (or forever) and who are looking for creative design and detail. We love cooks. We love people who see their bathrooms as a sanctuary. We love clients who want to incorporate design ideas from their various travels. We love people who notice a special wood inlay border or a small tile hidden in a corner that only they can see. We love our clients bragging about their new spaces. "
We provide two areas of service:
1. Full-service design and remodeling for kitchens, bathrooms, whole home remodeling and additions. Part of the full-service design may include partial remodels of other rooms, such as refacing fireplaces, adding new tile in the foyers, changing out the windows in the bedroom, or adding a skylight and wood flooring in the hallways.
2. Separate retail services for cabinets:
- our clients who already have a contractor
- do-it-yourself-ers
- contractors who don't carry their own cabinetry lines and want professional backup cabinetry assistance for their projects. (Your client will always remain your client.)
Are your staff and crew employees or sub-contractors?
We prefer to have a mixture of both. Our in-house design and office staff are employees, as our project manager, framing, and finishing carpenters. Our sub-contractors tend to be in the specialized fields like electrical, counters, tile-setting, texturing, and painting. Most of our sub-contractors have been with us since the beginning -- they're craftsmen at what they do and we like to keep them!
What's the next step?
Whether you're just starting out, or already in the midst of selecting your team, we invite you to make a complimentary appointment with our interior designers. One of the frequent remarks we hear is, "You really listen."
Yes. We welcome the opportunity to hear your wish list, and help you with suggestions on how to increase the value, function, and beauty of your home. This is your chance to ask the questions you're wondering about -- how long does it take, or which materials are best for your family's lifestyle? If we don't believe we'll provide good value for you, we'll say so. We'll also show you our detailed process which eliminates common remodeling errors and wins us some of the most enthusiastic clients around.
Best of all, unlike many contractors, we're also open on Saturdays from 11-4 just for you. Make an appointment by emailing our office manager, Emily McClure (click on the "Email us" in the left sidebar), or by calling our Walnut Creek showroom at (925) 944-0153.
What suppliers do you carry?
We display:
- 3 lines of cabinetry: KraftMaid, Hertco, and Crystal.
- 3 lines of quartz counters: Caesarstone, Cambria, and Zodiaq.
- 2 lines of flooring: BR-111, Mullican, in addition to custom laid-in-place
- LaFor wood countertops.
- We're an Anderson window and door dealer.
- We also supplement our projects with outside vendors: Marvin, Velux, SolaTube, Milgard, any well-crafted and/or durable tile you can think of, granite, and Nuheat.
Do you offer design services?
Not separately; however, our design expertise is an integral part of our design-build projects and we also supply cabinetry design help for our retail cabinetry division.
Some of our clients are do-it-yourself-ers or already have a contractor. They need help with their cabinetry design and layout and we work with them to maximize space and discuss functionality. We also have a number of contractors who send their clients in to us for their cabinetry needs.
Why so casual?
We prefer the term "at-ease." We're a close-knit team at Main Street Kitchens. Some of us are second-generation; others have had decades of experience (but to play it safe we won't say who or how long - you're on your own in the "Who we are" pages.)
Simply put, we're at the stage where we believe remodeling should be an enjoyable, rewarding, and stress-free experience for all. Or as stress-free as one can get when living through a remodel...
