Whether you're building a new kitchen or remodeling an existing one, here are some tips to keep in mind as you start the process.

By Eric Jaeger, Dunn Lumber

Q: Give me everything you've got on the craft of kitchen cabinetry.

A: Whether you're building a new kitchen or remodeling an existing one, here are some tips to keep in mind as you start the process.

1. Consider lead time

   Before you get started, it's important to know that there's typically a four- to six-week lead time when ordering your cabinets. This means that once you've gathered all the dimensions, made all your material choices, and placed the order, your cabinets will take around about a month to arrive, depending on how customized they are and which vendor you use.

2. Think through your layout

   How do you use your kitchen? One helpful design tip is to create an equilateral triangle between the sink, refrigerator, and stove—it creates an easy flow of activity. Where will you store pots and pans? Do you want open shelving? Where will the garbage and recycling go? What about a dishwasher?

3. Collect measurements

   It's important to know critical dimensions when planning your cabinet layout. Consider plumbing, gas and electric for appliances, and doors and windows you'll be working around. As you gather these measurements, remember to measure from the outside of any trim or casing, rather than the inside. And don't forget to measure your ceiling height—this will determine the height of your cabinets.

4. Visit a showroom

   Once you've considered the layout and gathered measurements, sketches, and photos, it's time for the fun part: choosing your cabinets. View your cabinet options in person at a showroom if possible—it will help you visualize the cabinets in context. Bring along any inspirations and references, whether it's a kitchen you saw in a magazine or an entire Pinterest board. To get you thinking, here are some of the choices you'll be making:

   • Cabinet face. Do you want framed or frameless cabinets? Framed cabinets have a more traditional look. Frameless cabinets are often referred to as European-style. Other than the aesthetic, the biggest difference between these two options is that a framed cabinet has, well, a frame, which means there's more space between the doors and drawers.

   • Wood type. For the box, consider plywood—it's stronger, especially in sink bases. Particleboard has improved tremendously over the years, but it will still deteriorate faster in water than plywood, and an under-sink leak at some point in time is almost inevitable. Door-wise, you have options. Oak has an open grain; beech has a huge variation in grain (the darker you stain it, the more pronounced the differentiation); and maple is popular because it's dense with a tight grain that has a nice, smooth finish when painted. Cherry and black walnut are great choices, too. Beyond this, the face of the doors and drawers are customizable—consider inset, full overlay, or partial overlay.

   • Finish. Staining and painting are typical options.

   • Hardware. From the way your drawer slides to the sound your cabinet door makes when it closes, there's opportunity for cabinet and hardware customization, including the color and material of your pulls and hinges.

You may be tempted to order your cabinets on the spot, but it's a good idea to go back to your space and revisit the decisions you've made. Do the cabinets you've designed still make sense in the space? If so, place your order—and try to wait patiently until delivery day.

 

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Eric Jaeger is a cabinet specialist at Dunn Lumber and a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBAKS's nearly 3,000 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Contact: Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties | pr@mbaks.com

NEW REPORTS SHOW LOCAL POLICIES UNDERMINE HOUSING GOALS

SEATTLE, Wash., August 27, 2025 – The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) released two new reports showing how certain local policies are falling short as an effective affordable housing strategy. The reports provide technical information for local policymakers to support successful implementation of state laws aimed at lowering barriers for construction of more homes of all types.

The first report – Mandatory Affordable Housing Fees Carry Unintended Consequences – finds that such fees disproportionately raise barriers to middle housing projects, often making them financially infeasible and preventing them from being built. It also critiques a report relied upon by many Eastside cities to update and adopt mandatory affordable housing fees.

The second report – How Nexus Studies Misunderstand the Affordable Housing Challenge – highlights a core flaw in the logic underpinning many nexus studies local jurisdictions rely upon to justify imposing mandatory affordable housing fees. This report refutes the assumption that new market-rate housing is the primary driver of the need for affordable housing, in part because this framework ignores the broader supply shortage. It also shows that if newer homes cannot be built, higher-income owners and renters remain in what would historically be lower-cost homes accessible to more people, including first time buyers.

“The reports provide information for policymakers supporting how well-intentioned mandatory affordable housing programs can be counterproductive to achieving more affordable housing,” said Jerry Hall, executive director of MBAKS. “They also illustrate how these programs limit progress on our shared work to ensure everyone has a place to call home. The reports show that we do not address the need for affordable housing by making housing more expensive.”

MBAKS commissioned ECOnorthwest, an independent public policy research firm, to prepare the reports to better inform local dialogue on affordable housing strategies. They are part of a series of reports from MBAKS demonstrating flaws in mandatory affordable housing policies.

MBAKS has also prepared a Legal Memorandum describing the implications of mandatory affordable housing fees under recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding “unconstitutional conditions.” It explains how mandatory programs raise constitutional issues under the rulings requiring a showing of a “nexus” and “rough proportionality.” 

ABOUT MBAKS
The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association, helping to make home happen since 1909. 

Q: We adore our Craftsman bungalow, but it’s starting to feel a little cramped. Is adding a second floor worth the investment?

A: Adding a second-story addition to your home is a big decision, and one we’re seeing more and more people consider as the Seattle real estate market makes transitioning to a larger home more challenging.

Adding a second story is one of the most complicated remodeling projects you can take on, and not for the faint of heart. Long permit wait times, labor shortages and product delivery delays are already making remodeling projects more drawn out and convoluted than they were before the pandemic. When you add in roof removals and complex structural engineering requirements (often on homes nearly a century old) you’ll understand why these types of projects scare off many homeowners. When it comes to additions, not all are created (or priced) equally. A simple dormer addition may be enough to expand the second floor you already have, and is more straightforward than a partial or full second-story addition, because the scope of the project is much smaller. When a client asks me if adding a second story or onto a second story makes sense, here are some of the options I suggest they consider.

Dormer additions: These are a great option when you already have stairway access to a second floor that’s cramped due to a sloped ceiling. By reconfiguring the roofline and adding windows, you’ll not only create enough height to add a bathroom or bedroom, but you’ll also bathe your new space in natural light. Design-build clients receiving both design and construction services for these additions can expect prices starting around $325,000.

Partial second-story additions: These additions are good for homes that may need a new primary suite added upstairs, or other small-space additions. Satisfying plumbing and sewer requirements for a new bathroom will always add costs and complications, but for most homeowners an additional bathroom will greatly improve their quality of life and increase the number of years they can stay in their home.

It’s worth noting that a significant amount of work is required on a home’s main level to incorporate a staircase into the space in a way that seems organic. These are challenging projects that involve long lead times and construction periods, but they are also incredibly rewarding once complete. Average 2022 pricing for partial additions costs around $650,000 for Seattle homeowners.

Full second-story additions: The ultimate space-creating project, a full second-story addition essentially doubles your living space. It’s not uncommon to add a full primary suite (bedroom, private bath and walk-in closet), two additional bedrooms, another bath, a laundry room and a staircase. This type of second-story addition will impact your home the most. You’ll need to plan on replacing siding, repainting and making sure the walls and foundation are engineered to support the new floor and meet current seismic standards. We’re seeing quotes for these projects starting at around $750,000.

Is “up” better than “out?”: Expanding your home’s footprint into your yard will usually be easier than adding a second story. But just because homeowners have yard space doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. Sometimes, it’s not worth sacrificing what limited outdoor space homeowners have for a new primary suite or home office. The City of Seattle also limits how much of a home’s lot can be built. In the end, expanding your home’s footprint while trying to retain adequate yard space may not be worth it. Going up can maximize both square footage and green space. Many homeowners who choose a second-story addition pursue a combination of up and out, adding a small addition to their main level and then adding a larger addition on top of that, so they maintain their outdoor space while also gaining square footage.

Adding a second floor isn’t a quick project, and most reputable Seattle companies with the skills to tackle the work will have long backlogs. However, I encourage you to stay the course and embrace the vision you have for your home. Waiting 18 months before you can move into your new addition may seem too long, but if you want your investment to pay off, the wait will be worth it.

Teri McDermott is owner and CEO of CRD Design Build, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.