The Bidding Process

Getting Started

Thank you for considering Duenke Cabinet Company as a professional source to meet all your needs.  If you are planning a remodeling project or building a new home, you may have already discovered that there are many more details involved than you originally thought.  We know that you will find our staff very helpful throughout the process and hope that this informational brochure will answer many of your questions about our company and how to get started on the path to a beautiful, completed project.

Duenke Cabinet Company was established more than fifty years ago and has been known for quality workmanship, design, and service in the St. Louis area for many years.  We are a family owned business specializing in designing and installing kitchens, bathrooms, book cases, wine cellars, and much more.  You will find that our staff addresses each potential client’s needs as a team.  None of our employees work on commission, so each of us takes a personal interest in you and your project.  You will have the opportunity to work directly or indirectly with most of our staff by the completion of any job.

Most of our design work is done by Jim Schmidt, the owner of Duenke Cabinet Company.  Jim’s son, Ron Schmidt, manages all of our installations, supervises work done in our shop and also does design work including wine cellars.  We have a showroom staff available to tell you in detail about the products and services we offer.  They will be glad to give you a showroom tour, let you browse at your leisure, or schedule appointments with Jim or Ron if you would like to have a bid from us.

About Our Showroom

Hours:      8:00am to 4:30pm      Monday-Friday

                9:00am to 2:00pm     Saturdays  (Sept-May

*Please note that we are closed on Saturdays during the summer months.

After hours appointments can be scheduled if you are unable to come in during normal showroom hours.  Please call the office and we will find a more convenient time for you to come in.

Showroom Tour

Visiting our showroom is the first step in planning your project.  Our friendly showroom staff will guide you through our displays where you will be able to see cabinetry from six different manufacturers, including one line that is manufactured here in our shop.  You will also see different types of counter tops, faucets, sinks, bath products, hardware, and many other items.  All Laminate and Corian tops are fabricated in our own shop for high quality control.  A brief tour of our shop can be arranged if desired.

During your showroom tour we will ask you for general information pertaining to the scope of your project and take notes on products of interest.  It is not necessary to have every small detail selected to obtain a bid from us, but we do need information such as cabinet door style, type of wood, special finishes (such as glazes or distressing) if applicable, type of counter top, which appliances or fixtures will be replaced or added , and if any flooring or windows will be replaced.  At some point, you should also expect to visit some wholesale showrooms to select things like appliances, plumbing fixtures, flooring, faucets, and wall tile.  We will supply directions and information about these showrooms for your convenience.

Once you have toured our showroom you will be ready for the design process to begin.  You will need to schedule an appointment to bring in plans in the case of new construction or have someone come to your home for remodeling projects.  Our showroom staff will schedule an appointment with Jim or Ron Schmidt.  WE DO NOT CHARGE A FEE FOR THIS SERVICE, but any drawings generated by us are copyrighted and will remain our property until we enter into a verbal contract with you.

Home Appointments

When we come to your home, we will take measurements of the space to be remodeled and speak with you about any design ideas you may have.  It is a good idea to have a list written down before the appointment.  We will offer suggestions about ways to make changes that will make your kitchen or bath more functional as well as beautiful.  Appointments are scheduled during normal business hours, Monday thru Friday, although we will try to accommodate your schedule if needed by coming early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Preparing the Proposal

Once a layout has been drawn by Jim or Ron following their appointment with you, we will begin to collect all the pricing for your project.  If you are replacing the flooring, windows, or other items not done by our company, you will receive a call from a subcontractor who will schedule an appointment with you to look at the job.  Subcontractor pricing is submitted to us and will be included in our proposal.

You may have been asked to visit Wholesale Plumbing Supply, Authorized Builder Sales, or some other wholesale supplier to select appliances or plumbing fixtures.  These companies will also submit prices to us for items you have selected and those prices will be included in our bid as well.

Preparing your proposal can take up to 2-3 weeks depending on how quickly we receive the pricing from all of our sources.  The length of time to prepare bids can also be affected by how many bids we are currently working on.  At high volume times, there could possibly be some delays.  We will always try to keep you informed in that event and will make every effort to have your bid ready for your presentation in the shortest possible time.

Bid Presentation

Once all pricing, drawings and subcontractor bids are complete, you will receive a call from us to schedule an appointment in our showroom for the bid presentation.  We will explain our drawings and pricing in detail at that time.  We will also show you computer generated perspective drawings on kitchen presentations.  Evening appointments are available for bid presentations if needed.

Our bids are quite comprehensive, and usually will contain many pricing options for you to consider.  We will show you samples and give you support materials such as brochures, etc.  so that you can consider all these options after the presentation.  We also encourage you to take home samples of cabinet doors and other products to finalize color and stain selections.  If any changes need to be made to your layout, we will send you a revised bid as soon as possible.  If more than two revisions to the layout are required, we will require a financial commitment.

Accepting Bid/Writing Contract

If you decide to accept our proposal, we will have you come to our office again for a scheduled appointment with Jim or Ron to draw up a contract.  We will write down all your final decisions about each item of the project.  Small items like hardware or wall tile selection can be made after the contract has been written , but the major decisions and selections, including appliances, must be made in order to write a contract.  Once the contract and drawings are prepared, they will be mailed to you for review and signature.  No products will be ordered and no job will be put on our schedule until we receive the signed contract and first deposit.

Payment

The payment terms for your project will be outlined on your contract.  For most projects, $2,000.00 or more, we require a deposit of 40% of the contracted price at the signing of the contract, 40% on the first day of work on the job site, and 20% on completion of the project.  Jobs which do not have installation by our company may have a different payment schedule.  On small projects $500.00 or less we expect full payment up front.  $500.00—$2,000.00 your payment would be 50% down and the remaining upon pick up or delivery.  We do not accept credit cards or offer financing.

Counter Top Exchanges/Small Projects

If you are replacing only a counter top or vanity or other small project, we do not make an appointment to see the job site before giving you a bid.  You can bring us your measurements or dimensions and we will give you prices.  We will, however, do a field measure of the job if we go under contract.  Our proposal for small projects will be mailed to you instead of making an appointment for a bid presentation.

We hope that your experience with Duenke Cabinet Company will be a very pleasant and rewarding one.  We feel that we offer the best products and services available and can meet the needs of almost every potential client.  We urge you to ask for letters of recommendation or check with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau before making a decision on who will do your project.  Whatever your decision may be, we wish you great success, and sincerely hope that you will trust Duenke Cabinet Company to meet all your needs.