Ric's Kitchen & Bath Showroom Comparative Summary

Ric’s Kitchen and Bath Showroom is a general contractor specializing in kitchen and bath remodeling projects. “You can buy cabinets anywhere, but you can’t buy great service everywhere. We can coordinate the whole job, from day one to completion,” says owner Richard Plummer. He also says the Castro Valley company’s showroom is different because it allows clients pick out everything from cabinets and appliances to paint colors and flooring choices.

Once a client chooses the basics, a complete 3-D design of the project is rendered on a computer. A few days later, the design ideas are reviewed and adjustments are made, says Ric. “We tell clients all about the materials and pros and cons of each decision. We also discuss budget considerations.”

While an average kitchen remodeling costs about $60,000, the range can vary depending upon cabinetry, floors, electrical, and plumbing. “Sometimes, clients are looking for a $5,000 job, and we can talk them through what that would buy, but most people are looking for a more substantial upgrade than that.”

Most of Ric’s Kitchen and Bath Showroom’s crewmembers have been with the company for 18 or more years. The staff is trained in worksite safety and security, and is covered by workers' compensation and liability coverage. They work closely with high-quality suppliers of cabinet lines, faucets, countertops, and other related materials. Often, those suppliers run special pricing and can offer those savings to clients. “It builds trust and long-term relationships,” says Ric, “so we pass along incentives and other freebies when possible. And it doesn’t cost us anything if, in the end, we’re recommended for another job or future work. I don’t think that’s true for everybody.

“We’ve carved out a place in the industry based on a successful history with hundreds of clients,” he continues. “We tend to cover the upper end of quality for a reason: Our customers are satisfied with the end results. We would not install items in our customer’s home that we would not install in our own.”