BajaNomad - Remodeling Kitchen in Ensenada - Another ?

Remodeling Kitchen in Ensenada - Another ?

Bob H - 7-31-2011 at 09:02 PM

OK, in the process of helping a friend of mine remodel an old kitchen in Ensenada.

Where would one buy some US quality standard size cabinets, etc. in Ensenada, or nearby? No custom stuff required. We would do the demo and installation ourselves.

[Edited on 8-2-2011 by Bob H]

tjBill - 7-31-2011 at 09:18 PM

Home Depot on the south side of town.

DENNIS - 7-31-2011 at 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
Where would one buy some US quality standard size cabinets, etc. in Ensenada, or nearby? No custom stuff required. We would do the demo and installation ourselves.

Bob....I bought the cabinets for my house at Costco, Ensenada. Easy assembly is required, but don't do it out in the sun. The thin veneer backs and bottoms will warp and turn into a nightmare.
I forget what they cost, but it was a good price for what I got.

J.P. - 8-1-2011 at 08:56 AM

Home depot has several levels of price and quality.which all look good their design service works very good for sizeing and placement. However several people I know have used IKEA's cabinent's.they dont look bad. most readymade cabinents are good but in my opinion its the quality of counter top that defines the look. :yes:

BajaGringo - 8-1-2011 at 08:59 AM

There are some cabinet shops on the highway heading out of Ensenada, just south of the Home Depot as I recall and on the east side of the highway. You will probably find some better prices there...

David K - 8-1-2011 at 09:00 AM

Because so many like to follow the letter of the law while in Baja: Any kind of Work in Mexico (for someone else) by a 'tourist', even for free, is taboo unless you have a work visa... :wow:

[Edited on 8-1-2011 by David K]

Bob H - 8-1-2011 at 09:13 AM

My friend that has the Ensenada house has dual citizenship and speaks 100% fluent Spanish... so we could work with a private operation without any problem whatsoever... BajaGringo's suggestion of some caginet shops sounds interesting to us.

bajadock - 8-1-2011 at 09:55 AM

Segundas? I have seen loads of cabinets at segundas across from airport.

DENNIS - 8-1-2011 at 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Because so many like to follow the letter of the law while in Baja: Any kind of Work in Mexico (for someone else) by a 'tourist', even for free, is taboo unless you have a work visa... :wow:

Awww c'mon, David. They arn't building a shopping center and I doubt those nasty little INM police are going to be peeking in the kitchen window.
INM agents don't do anything here as it is and I doubt they'll be starting a new initiative with Bob.

But, you make a point. Some here would not pick up a hammer for fear of commiting a felony. They have scared themselves to a ridiculous level.

DianaT - 8-1-2011 at 10:23 AM

We have found that the small cabinets, light fixtures, etc. that we have bought at Home Depot in Ensenada are not the same as the ones they have north of the border----not good and the return policy at any of the big box stores in Ensenada is not the same---not as easy

With all the talented carpenters in Baja, I think Baja Gringos suggestion was a good one.

Thread HiJack

bajaguy - 8-1-2011 at 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Because so many like to follow the letter of the law while in Baja:

Kinda like driving on the beach......or digging up clams....

Now back to the cabinet thread.............

DENNIS - 8-1-2011 at 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
We have found that the small cabinets, light fixtures, etc. that we have bought at Home Depot in Ensenada are not the same as the ones they have north of the border----not good and the return policy at any of the big box stores in Ensenada is not the same---not as easy

With all the talented carpenters in Baja, I think Baja Gringos suggestion was a good one.

Nonsense. The cabinets I bought are from NOB....at least it's a common US sold brand.

You'll be looking high and low to find a local cabinet maker that can produce quality products....I don't care what the white man customer says. They lack proper tools and are limited to only the most basic of materials...three quarter inch Sugar Pine and Luan Plywood. Scrutinize a clear coated cabinet in good light and you'll see enough wood filler to Bondo together a car after a head-on collision.

There are, of course, exceptions, but not many. Every gringo in Mexico knows personally the best doctor, lawyer and now cabinet maker in the country. The very best. Just ask them.

DianaT - 8-1-2011 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

OK, it's nonsense. Clear and simple nonsense.

DENNIS - 8-1-2011 at 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
OK, it's nonsense. Clear and simple nonsense.

Yep...Clear...and....simple.

Oh...that was you who posted up there? I didn't look.

OK..........It's nonsense, but not so clear. Kinda muddled, actually. Very confusing nonsense...at it's most cryptic. :biggrin:

DianaT - 8-1-2011 at 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
OK, it's nonsense. Clear and simple nonsense.

Ah yes, cryptic and confusing, but as my guru said, A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds......

so keep them looking and guessing. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 8-1-2011 at 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
A foolish consistency

That sounds like one of them there "repeatedly redundant foolishnesseseses."
Worst kind.

DianaT - 8-1-2011 at 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
A foolish consistency

That sounds like one of them there "repeatedly redundant foolishnesseseses."
Worst kind.

OK, now surely you know a good cabinet maker in your area---or, better known as back to topic and we are off to enjoy more of the Big Sky country here in Montana. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 8-1-2011 at 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
OK, now surely you know a good cabinet maker in your area---or, better known as back to topic and we are off to enjoy more of the Big Sky country here in Montana. :biggrin:

No...I don't. All mediocre....at best, just for reasons I gave above.
Again, the cabinets I got at Costco look great with all hardwood faces and good hardware. Had they not been available, I would have made my own. At least I sharpen my tools.

luv2fish - 8-1-2011 at 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Awww c'mon, David. They arn't building a shopping center :lol:

Bob H - 8-1-2011 at 06:32 PM

Another question has come up. What about importing cabinets that need to be assembled from the US into Baja? There would be a total of 19 cabinets and he could bring them in a few at a time.

Should he consider using a Customs Broker?

Thanks for all the great info!
(and for the humorous stuff too :lol

bajamigo - 8-1-2011 at 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
Another question has come up. What about importing cabinets that need to be assembled from the US into Baja? There would be a total of 19 cabinets and he could bring them in a few at a time.

Should he consider using a Customs Broker?

Thanks for all the great info!
(and for the humorous stuff too :lol

He should consider preprinting a "receipt" for the cabinets and buy whatever the heck he wants from Ikea.

David K - 8-1-2011 at 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Because so many like to follow the letter of the law while in Baja:

Kinda like driving on the beach......or digging up clams....

Now back to the cabinet thread.............

Notice I said "so many here" and not ME :rolleyes:

DENNIS - 8-1-2011 at 07:36 PM

Quote:

Bob...Did you look at Costco? I'm telling you the cabinets are nice and the price is right. Look at all the headache and expense you're suggesting up there. It has to be worth something to avoid all that.

Santiago - 8-1-2011 at 07:49 PM

Bob: I own a cabinet shop but to be honest, they don't let me in the shop very often. Something always breaks when I go back there.
We do high-end kitchens and also cheap apartments. For the cheap apartments our cabinets come from Mexico or the USA (well, El Paso), depending on the requirements of the funding source. Same exact cabinet, USA a bit more.
If you want local funky, then a cabinet shop in E. would work but as I've noticed, what Dennis says is not far off. Everything from Ikea is contemporary and I think "knock-down", i.e. you need to assemble the boxes.
I think the 'box cabinets', those that are all ready assembled, are better than those you assemble (the box portion). The finish from factory cabinets are by and large pretty good - many use varnish instead of lacquer. Dodo drawers instead of rabbited are in my opinion, over-rated but many factory cabinets do them.
You would be surprised how cheaply a cabinet shop in Chula Vista or National City will do custom cabinets with full extension guides and Euro hinges, including stain and lacquer.
Good luck

astrobaja - 8-1-2011 at 08:28 PM

Cazares Stones

Hi Bob,

We looked and looked and looked high and low in Ensenada for a good cabinet maker, and we finally found one with Ismael Cazares business on Reforma (going north just past the Ford dealer on the right side of the road) We are super pleased with our kitchen, he did it quickly and at a price that you would never get for this level of work "al otro lado".
His joiner carpenter is superb and he supplies nice quality sliders. Any type of wood you want. He did our granite countertops too, very nice professional courteous workers too. He is a bit of an odd duck, speaks very good English and comes across as a kind of fast talking Joe Pesci :>

I can post some pics of the work he did if you are interested! The experience we had with him was by far the best we had whilst in the construction of our home.

cheers

Mike

BajaGringo - 8-1-2011 at 08:41 PM

I have seen Mike's kitchen cabinets - top notch...

Bob H - 8-1-2011 at 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobaja
Cazares Stones

I can post some pics of the work he did if you are interested! The experience we had with him was by far the best we had whilst in the construction of our home.

cheers

Mike

Would be interested in your posted pics... thanks for the info.

astrobaja - 8-2-2011 at 11:52 AM

No problem at all Bob

Heres a pic of our kitchen cabinetry

kitone.jpg - 32kB

astrobaja - 8-2-2011 at 11:54 AM

And the good type of hinges

hnge.jpg - 33kB

astrobaja - 8-2-2011 at 11:56 AM

Lots of nice slide out storage for pots/pans and pantry room

cabinet.jpg - 35kB

BajaGringo - 8-2-2011 at 01:16 PM

When we saw your kitchen Mike we really liked how they built the trim cover piece between the upper cabinet doors as an attached piece. That makes it so much easier to get bigger items in and out. We are incorporating that idea into our own new kitchen here...

Bob H - 8-2-2011 at 06:35 PM

Thanks for posting those pictures Mike. Your kitchen looks GREAT!

Do you have a phone number or email address for the cabinet maker?

[Edited on 8-3-2011 by Bob H]

astrobaja - 8-2-2011 at 07:29 PM

Sure thing Bob, like I said his business is right on Reforma, his number is
646-152-1668

He can tend to have a kind of brusque fast talking approach but he knows what he is doing! Just tell him Mike and Pamela from the sierra referred you!

cheers

Mike

Bob H - 8-2-2011 at 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobaja
Sure thing Bob, like I said his business is right on Reforma, his number is
646-152-1668

He can tend to have a kind of brusque fast talking approach but he knows what he is doing! Just tell him Mike and Pamela from the sierra referred you!

cheers

Mike

Thanks again Mike. Sounds like you found a winner. My friend can deal with fast talkers, no problem. Thanks for all the great info on this guy. Bob H

got more pix?

Mulegena - 8-2-2011 at 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
When we saw your kitchen Mike we really liked how they built the trim cover piece between the upper cabinet doors as an attached piece. That makes it so much easier to get bigger items in and out. We are incorporating that idea into our own new kitchen here...

Brilliant idea... I think I understand. I'm designing a small little kitchen right now myself, so I'm following this thread closely.

Astro, could you post a photo of the attached cover piece, please, a) so I can be sure I understand exactly what this is (I think I do), and b) I can explain this to the finish carpenter who gets the job.

Love the extra-fine hardware, too.

bent-rim - 8-3-2011 at 08:40 AM

Those are very nice looking cabinets, they look like cherry to me. The inset doors in the upper cabinets show a higher degree of craftmanship than typical overlap doors.

Baja Gringo, I think the trim piece youu're referring to is called an astragal. It is a nice feature, but if you have an upper cabinet more than 33" wide, I'd recommend that you incorporate the piece into the cabinet for support. Otherwise you might endup with a saggy bottomed cabinet, sort of like me at 56.

[Edited on 8-3-2011 by bent-rim]

DENNIS - 8-3-2011 at 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bent-rim
Those are very nice looking cabinets, they look like cherry to me.

If it is, they didn't get it here. More likely Mahogony which you can find here, sometimes, but I've never seen it milled to workable dimensions. Usually a full inch thick.

bent-rim - 8-3-2011 at 09:31 AM

Dennis, I think you're right, my bad.

BajaGringo - 8-3-2011 at 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bent-rim
...Otherwise you might endup with a saggy bottomed cabinet, sort of like me at 56.

You and me both...

:lol:

astrobaja - 8-3-2011 at 10:12 AM

Mulegena heres a pic of the door detail hope that helps. We really like the idea too, way easier to get big items in and out!

BTW its actually Caoba wood! Not cherry.

doors.jpg - 34kB

DENNIS - 8-3-2011 at 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobaja
BTW its actually Caoba wood! Not cherry.

Caoba = Mahogany.

Classy!

Mulegena - 8-4-2011 at 11:42 AM

Thanks for the photos showing the detail work. Nice, very nice, great idea (sans saggy bottom, of course).

Do you recall the approximate cost per square meter for the mano de obra, not factoring in granite, hardware, glass & quality wood?

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobaja
Mulegena heres a pic of the door detail hope that helps. We really like the idea too, way easier to get big items in and out!

BTW its actually Caoba wood! Not cherry.

BajaBlanca - 8-4-2011 at 12:15 PM

Mulegena - we got our cabinets fully assembled 5 piece at a store called LA COMEERCIAL right on hiway 1 in Vizcaino. $1000 and they are really really nice. They have so many different colors and sizes .... we were quite pleased.