Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins

Custom Kitchens did an AMAZING job on our kitchen refresh, from design through implementation. Can't believe how smoothly and efficiently the entire process went, especially during COVID restrictions and shortages of resources and materials. We had done an extensive remodel on our kitchen 22 years earlier and liked the 'bones' of our kitchen. We did not like the worn, yellowed maple cabinets and the closed in feel of an already small space.

A non-repairable range triggered the need for the update, since replacement ranges were deeper than our old one. In addition to new counters, we asked about refacing vs painting our existing cabinets. We appreciated the experience and aesthetic perspective Nader Feldy (designer/project manager/client coordinator) and Joy Wilkins (designer) brought to helping us answer that question.

The design process was very smooth, focused and attuned to what we wanted and didn't want. Nader and Joy had great solutions for the things that bugged us about our kitchen, as well as suggestions for small changes that had a huge impact on both functionality and the overall look of the kitchen. Nader managed the construction perfectly. We were given a detailed daily schedule of the construction tasks.

All of the resources brought in by Nader were not only superior craftsmen, but pleasant to be around. Nader checked in daily to make sure that the work was completed according to design and schedule, and that we were satisfied each step of the way. Great client communication and expectation management! We've endured several home renovation projects over the years, and Nader and the Custom Kitchens team made this the smoothest, most painless one yet. When all was done, the finished design and implementation exceeded our expectations and we got our kitchen back one week earlier than promised!

We have used Custom Kitchens for all kinds of contracting work for many years. I wouldn't use any other business. I trust them; they are professional; their workmanship is excellent. They have also been a great resource when we need a recommendation for a service they may not provide. Services: Floor fitting, Interior decorating, Tile fitters, Remodelling, Fan installation

I am remodeling my 110 year-old house in Oakland. I Selected Custom Kitchens Co. to design and build my new kitchen. During all phases of the project, I found easy to work with Custom Kitchens personnel. Chrysan designed a very functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen, according to my needs, and helped me select countertops, appliances, faucets, etc., and Nader supervised the installation very closely. Communications with me was excellent and from start to finish the project proceeded smoothly and on schedule. I am pleased with my new kitchen and recommend Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

Barney Correa & his team [ Paco (carpenter extraordinaire as well as a man of numerous additional skills); Randy (tiling); Michael (painting); Victor (plumbing); & Jonathan (electric)] just completed a remodel of our master bathroom. We think they did a great job; true professionals. In all respects, they did what they said they were going to do, with as little disruption of the family daily routine as possible. We're very pleased with the result. We would not hesitate to once again retain them to perform additional services (and, indeed, we have already done so). Thanks, Barney.

When we made the decision to renovate the kitchen in our 1920s home, we started with Berkeley Custom Kitchens and looked no further. The team not only designed something that fit with our lifestyle, but they captured colors and elements of our old house into a new modern chef's kitchen that we could not have imagined on our own. For example we went into the project thinking we needed new flooring and their designer saw an opportunity to renovate the Mexican Saltillo paver tiles to help the new kitchen fit with the Mission revival architecture of our home.

We wanted a chef's kitchen and Custom Kitchens did not disappoint. The results were better than we ever expected. The craftsmen were highly skilled, and meticulous in making sure every detail was perfect. Natalie, their talented kitchen designer, quickly determined our style, which was not so easy as we have lived abroad a few times and have an eclectic collection of art and furnishings.

But she presented choices limited to what she knew we would like, and what would fit the decor, which helped us make decisions quickly. The project was expertly managed and completed per the schedule. We could not have been happier with their entire team, and we got a kitchen that is timeless and will last for many years, a great investment in our home.

They replaced a dead oven and reconfigured surrounding kitchen cabinets. Pleased with the whole project! Cost estimate was accurate and clear, and installation work was impeccable. They matched existing weathered cherry cabinets, including the natural variations in wood. They kept us informed at every step of the process, which was longer than planned because the oven we wanted was on LONG Covid-related back-order. We'd use them again without question!

We selected Custom Kitchens to remodel our kitchen and two bathrooms based on their reputation, professionalism, competitive price (3 design/build firms submitted bids within 5% of each other), and their commitment to complete our project in 10-12 weeks. One month into the project, the Covid-19 shelter-in-place order was issued. In the face of this incredible logistical challenge, Custom Kitchens completed our remodel only one week beyond the original plan, and right on budget.

We were amazed, and greatly appreciative. None of the above would matter if we weren't thrilled with the end result. This was our first experience with a remodel, and looking at the finished product, my wife commented, "I wouldn't change a thing." It has only been 3 weeks since we moved back in, and every day we remark how beautifully it all looks, and how functional it all is.

Since we didn't start with a clear vision of the end result, we needed a lot of guidance from their designer and project manager. It took a lot of meetings, discussions, visits to showrooms, etc to select everything, and we never felt pressured. In fact, our team at Custom Kitchens encouraged us to take the time needed during the design phase. We were also able to tap into the knowledge and experience of their subcontractors. Whenever we raised a question or concern, options were explained patiently and fully. Thank you Nader, Joy, and the entire Custom Kitchens team.

We had two appliances conk out just after Thanksgiving, creating a silver-lining opportunity to upgrade our kitchen a little bit. Custom Kitchens was very helpful in identifying and supplying high quality replacements and upgrading our electrical connections as necessary. They also solved some tricky design issues involving our cabinetry, flooring, tile work, and ventilation. All for a reasonable price and short schedule, so we were back in business for Christmas entertaining.

They remodeled our small kitchen in a 1901 home. They were recommend to us by a friend who had a kitchen remodel in a 1920 home. She had such a positive experience we didn't even go out for other bids. The design team spent a lot of time, not only asking about and responding to our needs, but giving suggestions that managed to stay in our price range.

They started the day they committed to and finished a week early! They are EXTREMELY careful about protection. We wanted to keep our flooring and after all was done and the protection was removed, it was the same as before they started. They also saved the appliances we wanted saved, with no pressure to upgrade everything. We did upgrade the appliances that were old and the prices they found for us were in line with other companies.

Thank you to all involved (I won't list names for fear of forgetting someone). You were all amazing! Highly recommended! P. S. The photos are ours, before everything was in. They took professional ones that we haven't seen yet.

Being a licensed career architect facing a mandatory kitchen remodel in our home due to our aging malfunctioning appliances, it was time to find the right team to assist my husband and I with making our kitchen workable again. With much research, we chose Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc. because even in the introductory interview, they were offering us workable solutions for the remodel challenges that we were facing.

The Custom Kitchens team, lead by Nader Feidy and Lisa Narum, was impressive from the start and continued to please us throughout the process. I can truly say it was a delight to work with each member of their team for the following reasons: They were clear and accurate in both defining the scope of the project and in estimating the overall cost; Each member of their team, from the team leaders and their in-house construction crew to their sub-contractors, were kind and respectful of being in our home; were clear communicators so when we had concerns, their team was responsive and reliable to address each concern; and were patient with us when we asked questions in overload or when we were making decisions requiring a great deal of deliberation.

We are extremely grateful to each member of the Custom Kitchens Team for not just meeting but exceeding our expectations by transforming the potential stress and anguish of this project into what actually was a fun and rewarding experience for us. Our newly remodeled kitchen is now a reminder gift each day of our appreciation for choosing Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc. as our remodel team.

We recently bought a home and the kitchen was awful. We wanted to remodel but didn't have any ideas on what we wanted, except that we didn't like what we had. Custom Kitchens assigned us a project manager, Eric Jackson, who worked with Francis to bring our dream kitchen to reality. Francis came up with three plans that varied in costs so we could choose what would fit within our budget.

I had a fantastic experience working with Custom Kitchens on my kitchen and master bath/closet remodel. Start to finish, my kitchen remodel took 9 1/2 weeks. The design was beautiful, functional and well thought out. They took all my concerns into account in the development process. In addition, their follow-up is really excellent.

Custom Kitchens does beautiful, top-notch work. They're a pleasure to work with and were on top of the job, from start to finish. They have outstanding project supervision, excellent craftsmen, and are very detail-oriented. We were extremely pleased with their work and are using them again for a new home.

We highly recommend Custom Kitchens. They remodeled our kitchen beautifully, innovatively, on time, on budget and on spec. Over several years, we continued to work with them, remodeling the basement with a new bath, laundry, and garage as well as remodeling our main bath and several other rooms.