Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc.

This was our fourth project with Custom Kitchens since 2016. Previously they remodeled our kitchen & downstairs bathroom. Then we converted our garage into an ADU with their expert help and subcontractors. Next came a new deck and finally a complete remodel of our upstairs bathroom this past September. Each project is assigned to a project manager, who sets the schedule for all the subcontractors, assures the appliances, cabinetry and construction supplies are delivered when needed according to the master timeline. As with all our other projects, the result was exactly what we wanted, the quality of workmanship perfect and we have a beautiful upgraded bathroom. If you have a remodel project in 2024 call Custom Kitchens, you won’t be disappointed.

I made the brave and perhaps reckless decision to tackle a much needed kitchen remodel during the height of Covid. I wanted a one-stop shop where all the work was coordinated under one umbrella. After much research I chose Custom Kitchens. I had visited the showroom several times, and they had all 5-star reviews on Yelp! I’ve never once regretted the decision. The project took an unexpectedly long time due to major supply chain delays, and months-long waits for permits and inspections. None of these were the fault of Custom Kitchens, and they did everything humanly possible to move things along. The first stage involved working with Chrysan Liedholm, their absolutely phenomenal designer. She really listens to your needs, design preferences, and cost considerations. Then she meticulously plans your space (with several options) down to the last millimeter before demolition begins. Throughout the process, Chrysan and contractor Erick Chavez make sure everything is installed according to plan. Throughout the project Erick had the very challenging job of keeping the work on schedule despite many obstacles due to Covid, PG&E and city permits and inspections. He was always honest about any problems that arose and kept me informed of every step. Plus he’s just a super nice guy to work with! Finally, the work crew employed by Custom Kitchens could not have been more delightful. They were all very skilled craftsmen, so polite, and meticulous about cleaning up. When you have to have your house invaded by strangers, these are the guys you want! When I’m ready for my next project I will go straight back to Custom Kitchens.

Custom Kitchens understood what we needed to accomplish and provided an excellent customer experience. Their approach is to have a designer and a project manager interview you at their offices, then visit the home to do measurements and tailor solutions. The quality of the materials and workmanship was exemplary.

Several years ago, Custom Kitchens did a first-rate remodel of our bathroom, so when it came time to remodel our kitchen, we had no question who we would chose for the project-- and once again, Custom Kitchens came through with flying colors. We worked with the same wonderful team on the kitchen project: Barney as project manager and Chrysan as designer. They worked with us patiently to come up with a proposal to accomplish just what we wanted. The project moved along smoothly and on time. Barney kept a sharp eye on the progress, and his team of workers were not only skilled at what they did but pleasant to have around. Both Barney and Chrysan were available to us and responsive if we had a question or need. We couldn't be more pleased with the process of the remodel or with the final product - a beautiful and much more functional kitchen!

Custom Kitchens has become the go-to company for our house improvements. They have now done four major projects for us over the last ten years. Why do we hire them? Because their lode star is perfection and they work to the timeframe of their schedule. This is a company that knows how to find and vet the right craftsmen who are dedicated and take pride in doing a stellar job. The company is owned by Jerry and Joy Wilkins. They run it with a view to the total satisfaction of their clients. Joy is a superb designer and her taste is impeccable. WithCustom Kitchens you can’t go wrong.

I just took my first shower! It was different, wonderful, and felt just like the me I was looking forward to. All your employees and subs were very ptoffessional, polite and knowledgeable. What a wonderful experience [ Now that the wait is over.] Sent pics to family, friends and my condo neighbors. They all responded with WOW.

Custom Kitchens provided exactly what we needed for our kitchen and fireplace remodeling project. Starting with the project design all the way through construction management, they simplified the process and made our remodeling project easy. The quality of work was exceptional and their crew was courteous, clean and professional. We are so happy with our new bigger, brighter and super functional kitchen!

This is the second time I have used Custom Kitchens for a project. They did an excellent job on my kitchen several years ago and I used them again to remodel my bathroom. They are extremely knowledgeable about design and were very helpful and supportive during the design process. Thanks to Joy for helping me decide on tile etc.! They worked hard to adhere to my budget which I appreciated. The project manager did an excellent job of coordinating the subcontractors and keeping me informed about when they would be coming. This was very important to me since I have a dog. The workmanship was excellent and all the workers kept their work areas neat throughout the whole process. Their subcontractors are top notch. I'm extremely happy with the end result and would use them again.

Custom Kitchens did an outstanding job remodeling our small, dated kitchen. Just designing for a space that had a window, a sliding glass door along with two doorways into the adjoining dining room was the first challenge and Joy came up with a marvelous plan that gave us ample storage, spacious counters, and even a breakfast bar area perfect for two. Then, the construction crew got to work. Erick, the project manager, kept everything on track and was at the site almost daily. He kept us advised as to the daily schedule thru text if he wasn't at the house. Ryan, John, and Clint were superb craftsmen, each with their own specialty. The quality of all their work was excellent. We want to give a special shoutout to Erick over an issue that cropped up when we discovered that the appliance store where we had ordered our cooktop had neglected to order a critical part and that part was now discontinued. Erick started calling suppliers in the US and even Canada and eventually found the part in Oregon and ordered it. Crisis averted! Our new kitchen is now finished and it is both beautiful and functional. We are extremely pleased and are delighted to highly recommend Custom Kitchens.

Custom Kitchens did a complete "down to the studs" remodel of my kitchen. My entire experience from initial design through construction and project completion was wonderful. Chrysan worked with me to create a design that met all my requirements and greatly improved the workflow and feel of the space. She even found door pulls that go with my love of the steampunk look. It was truly a collaborative effort. Barney was the project manager for the construction phase. He did an excellent job of co-ordinating the subs and CK personnel. There was virtually no downtime once the project started (with the exception of the appliances which were delayed due to supply chain issues). Despite that, Barney was able to adjust the schedule to keep the project moving forward. I'd also like to note that CK has assembled a team of expert craftsmen, both subs and in-house. I was very impressed by their performance and expertise, especially the CK carpenters Ryan and Marvin. Whenever we encountered an obstacle, they always managed to come up with a viable solution. I've had over 35 years experience in the commercial lighting industry and have managed many projects. Custom Kitchens is one of the most competent and responsive firms that I've ever encountered. Bottom line: I LOVE my new kitchen! I highly recommend Custom Kitchens for your remodel project.

We had a very positive experience with Custom Kitchens. The project manager and the designer were collaborative and always pleasant to work with. They listened to us and made every effort to incorporate what we wanted. They walked us through the project, explaining each step as we moved along. Any questions we had were addressed immediately, and Barney, the project manager, was sensitive to our needs throughout. All subcontractors, too, were equally respectful, competent, and easy to work with. And we were very pleased with the final result--a beautifully designed new bathroom.

We must have chosen the worst time to fully remodel our kitchen and laundry room. With Covid raging and labor and supply chains stretched to their limits, Joy and Nader came through for us. Even with those challenges, we didn’t make it easy for them. From asking for pantry and spice cabinet customizations to squeezing every inch of storage space from all the nooks and crannies in the cabinetry design, at times we thought we were asking for too much. But, after working with our design team, Joy drew up and executed a beautiful, extremely detailed, functional kitchen and laundry room full of custom cabinets and unique, furniture like accompaniments. They listened to us, and worked closely with us on every little detail. With so many options available, they called on their extensive experience to point us in the right direction and then deliver as promised. Thank you, Joy for the design, Nader for the execution and all the great Custom Kitchens carpenters and support staff!

Once again Joy, Nader and team did a great job while we were away for the summer. They are the best, most organized and trustworthy contractors that we have ever used. This is the third project that we have used them for and they really are the best!

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!

I am remodeling my 110 year-old home in Oakland. I selected Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins, Inc. to design and build my new kitchen. During all phases of the project I found it easy to work with Custom Kitchens personnel. Chrysan designed a very functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen, according to my needs, and helped me select appliances, countertops, faucet, etc., and Nader closely supervised the installation. Communications with me was excellent 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. Aggie Rogacsi

Nader, Joy and their team did a wonderful job from design all the way through completion. The team was professional, friendly, and always careful to observe Covid protocols while working in our home. We are thrilled with the new kitchen.

We couldn't be happier with our kitchen remodel by Custom Kitchens. It was a big job: knocking out a wall, adding a peninsula, new hardwood floors, custom cabinets and countertops, custom tile design, and more. Nader and Natalie considered our family's needs to create a design that's as functional as it is beautiful—from the layout, to storage for our small appliances, to drawers for our kids' dishes and snacks, to my appliance preferences. The job was finished within the budget and timeline we agreed on, conveniently a few months before lockdown. It's gotten a ton of use and still looks beautiful, and Nader has checked in over time to make sure it's still in good shape. Can't recommend them more.

Our 20 year old Sub Zero Refrigerator needed replacing in 2020. Nader Feidy, of Custom Kitchens, assumed the project with professionalism. Nader made sure there was a smooth and easy transition to the new fridge. He was responsible for getting us the correct style, and the installation team. We thank Custom Kitchens and Nader for their professionalism during a year of unknowns.

From the day we moved into our 1923 California craftsman home we knew that the kitchen would need a complete overhaul. We knew that the kitchen would have to be completely demolished and rebuilt from the studs and would be quite the undertaking. When the time was right to begin work on the project, we reached out to several contractors. After our first meeting with Custom Kitchens we were so impressed with their expertise and friendly, professional staff that we knew they were the right company for the job. Our team consisted of a project lead, two talented designers and an on-site project manager. The team was extremely responsive and respectful of our vision, both in terms of functionality and design aesthetic, while providing thoughtful and insightful guidance regarding design and cost challenges. Sketches and architectural drawings helped us to visualize what the new kitchen would look like before finalizing all our decisions. Custom Kitchens merged our ideas with their input and sourced materials (including countertops, appliances, cabinets, and backsplash) to help create the kitchen of our dreams. The kitchen remodel was very extensive and included a complete demolition of the existing kitchen, structural work, new drywall, new cabinets, plumbing, electric, countertops, backsplash, flooring and finishing touches. When the estimate for all of this came in a bit higher than we anticipated, the Custom Kitchens team worked with us to make design changes that enabled us to keep the project within our budget without sacrificing any of the key design and efficiency features that were so important to us. We were very happy with the on-site project manager and various contractors. Before the remodel started, the project manager helped to set up a temporary kitchen in our dining room, and installed protective covering for our hardwood floors. He also provided a calendar with an overview of the different phases of the remodel, which was greatly appreciated. Throughout the three-month project, he did a superb job of coordinating the various trades and contractors to ensure that the remodel stayed on track. Our project manager provided daily updates, either in person or via texts and phone calls, so that we knew what work would be taking place that day, and whether any utilities would need to be turned off. Their tradesmen were such first-rate professionals that there turned out to be very little disruption to our water, electric and gas. We also appreciated the fact that the on-site crew would always reach out to us for our input on any decisions that needed to be made during the course of the remodel, such as the style of can lights for the ceiling, or whether to use a lighter color for the door to the backyard. We highly recommend Custom Kitchens to anyone wanting a seamless experience from design through construction of their dream kitchen.

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 already have). Thanks, Barney

Valerie Chang and Barney Correa II designed and implemented our new kitchen. It was done with expertise, consideration, and completed in a timeline that was managed to the day. Our old kitchen was completely replaced with new cabinetry and appliances. The ease of not having to spend time on shopping for what we needed to do this job was wonderful. The carpenters worked their skill to create a lovely working space. All the people who assisted our project manager, Barney Correa, were pleasant and on schedule, and they wore masks to meet the covid demands. There is wisdom, I think, in hiring good people to help you complete a daunting task. Custom Kitchens knew what they were doing....they have done it many times, so you can feel confident in the outcome. And........to be clear.....Barney Correa II is one positive professional you won't go wrong in hiring.

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!

First off, this was THE best run construction project that we've ever had done. Our kitchen model was done on time, on budget, and everything was well coordinated and communicated. We worked with Custom Kitchens for both the design and construction and we wouldn't do it any other way. Valerie, our designer, really listened to what we were looking for and brought us great designs with little details that we wouldn't have even thought of, but made our kitchen amazing. Since the design and construction were all done together, nothing was lost in translation and Eric, our Project Manager, was able to ensure that each of the subcontractors were there when they needed to be to keep everything moving smoothly and that issues were resolved quickly. We would recommend Custom Kitchens to everyone.

The work was complex and superbly done. A new bathroom was installed also a new closet and a new study, and the entrance hall and the living room were both brilliantly redesigned.

Custom Kitchens has been fantastic, and I heartily recommend them if you desire a full-service provider who does it all including design and project management. Their cabinets are high quality and the designer and project manager we had were very responsive and available. All the workers did a great job in workmanship, attitude, and adherence to COVID protocol. Having alternatively done small remodel work ourselves, with individual contractors (several times), and with one other full-service provider, this was the most satisfying experience. A lot must be credited to the dedication and professionalism of the designer Chrysan and the project manager Nader. Chrysan never imposed design but rather sought to understand and help us discover our own style. Nader was exemplary as a project manager. He managed the project in a way that gave us confidence and peace of mind. He was on site frequently, managed subcontractors actively, and worked through the inevitable few hiccups with no impact to us. I would not hesitate to use them again.

We selected Custom Kitchens to remodel our kitchen and two bathrooms based on their reputation, professionalism, 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. Every day we remark how beautifully it all looks, and how functional it all is. It took many meetings, discussions and visits to showrooms to select everything, and we never felt pressured. In addition to our project manager and designer, we were also able to tap the expertise 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.

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!!!

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 a wonderful space 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.

Our kitchen came out amazing! Everyday we look at it with awe! Custom Kitchens runs a smooth operation. The subs were very clean and respectful of our space, always locked up and worked around our dogs. We had a temporary kitchen they set up for us. The project finished on time. The craftsmanship is excellent and the designers have great ideas and input.

Custom Kitchens bailed us out when two appliances gave out just after Thanksgiving. They got us back in business before Christmas with new upgraded appliances and necessary alterations to our flooring, cabinetry, tilework, ventilation, and electrical connections.

We are extremely pleased with the job Custom Kitchens did on our kitchen remodel. All the staff are very pleasant and friendly, but professional. They pay great attention to detail so that the client has to worry about very little (except paying for the project, of course!) They are very conscientious about protecting the rest of the house and client's belongings while on the job. They are very responsive to any questions that might arise about any aspect of the job which was completed in a timely manner. They remodeled my kitchen 32 years ago, also.

We are very fortunate to have chosen Custom Kitchens to remodel our kitchen. From the beginning , we had the very best advice, care and help in selections. Natalie helped us with artistic design: tile, counter tops and colors. Nader was our project manger and he was extremely knowledgeable with all aspects of our project from the very beginning. He expertly scheduled our job and had a wonderful crew working for him. He also visited every day to supervise during construction. We had few change orders and came in on budget. We couldn't have asked for a better remodeling experience.

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins did a stellar job on our kitchen remodel. The result is fantastic and required a combination of vision, creativity, attention to detail, and understanding of our needs and desires. Lisa (who sadly has since moved away) did a phenomenal job designing a flexible and functional layout in the weirdly square footprint in our creaky old Berkeley house. She helped us find some efficiencies in the design without compromising the end result, and she took the time to explain why this thing (sink, pull, appliance, etc) had to go here or why that thing we wanted was not the right choice. And she was right. Eric project managed and oversaw Mark, Wendy, and a few other folks who did a stellar job and demonstrated a fantastic attention to detail. Mark in particular had some creative solutions to problems posed by our old house (example: our house was missing part of an exterior wall under an eave! You could see light between the studs!) and the team always did the right thing, even though I'm sure it took them longer. The team even helped us run an electrical circuit and data to our second story while the walls were open. At no point did we have to wrangle contractors, talk to suppliers about how they sent the wrong part, fret about scheduling, or do any of the other things we would have had to do if we had managed this project ourselves. This was the biggest value-add for us: all we had to do was have a few initial design meetings, then mostly stay out of the way for a few months while they did their work. And with two working parents and a toddler, our family does not have time for managing an effort like this! The final result: gorgeous, and extremely usable. Every appliance is now in a different spot than in the old kitchen, and it all works much better together. Yes, it has all the whiz-bang features -- double oven, 36 inch cooktop, island sink, instant hot water, wine fridge, etc. -- but mostly it is spacious without being a stretch between work spaces. And other contractors we talked to lacked the imagination and vision to make this into the space it became. If you have a strange layout, or you are afraid to learn what's behind your old house's walls, or you just want the confidence and peace of mind that experience and a full-service design-build firm can provide, then look no further. I heartily recommend the folks at Custom Kitchens.

Joy & Erik were our Custom Kitchens team for our kitchen remodel. They designed a new counter and island not match the existing cabinets, which was really tough to do. I loved visiting the marble shops with her. New light installations in kitchen and hallway. Everything turned out wonderfully. Erik, as project manager, was the perfect match for us. I cared about matching the period light switches and was not an easy customer, He balanced out the differing approaches that my husband & I had and kept us on track. I recommend Custom Kitchens without hesitation.

Custom Kitchens did a terrific job on my total kitchen remodel. All the workers and staff are extremely professional, friendly, and helpful. Everyone took great pride in their work resulting in a great kitchen for me. Andy did a great job as project coordinator. He made sure everything was done correctly and in a timely manner. I needed to know when workers would be at my house because of my dog. Andy made sure I knew when they were coming every day. Lisa is an excellent designer. Doing a total kitchen remodel was overwhelming for me at first but she guided me through the process. She listened to my concerns and ideas and gave me options that fit my budget. Her suggestions improved my project greatly. She is very knowledgeable about what works best in a kitchen. I couldn't have done this without her! I highly recommend Custom Kitchens and I would use them again.

Jerry and all the staff are excellent, first class service, and so kind and helpful with all our design and remodeling needs! They did our whole house!

CK remodeled our 1930’s era kitchen 37 years ago, but by now the appliances were on life support, then-cutting-edge countertop was feeling dated and stuff had aged. Karmela did a great plan to refresh cabinets & floor and install new appliances & granite countertops. Andy made sure the work was done perfectly (including moving furniture & cleanup) We love our “new” kitchen! (Also shout-out to Vince at Friedman’s)

Our Victorian was long overdue for a kitchen remodel. The Custom Kitchens team spent many hours with us to come up with a design that met our criteria of honoring the original period of the house, keeping the existing redwood beadboard walls and ceiling, while at the same time modernizing the room and making the best use of space in our small kitchen. All of the crafts people who worked on the project were highly skilled and super friendly. We chose Custom Kitchens because they manage every aspect of the project. We are thrilled with our new kitchen, and highly recommend this local, family owned business.

Full disclosure: I also wrote a similar review on Yelp!, but because I want to reach the widest possible audience, I am also submitting a review for Custom Kitchens here. They are THAT good! We consider ourselves fortunate to have had the good sense to hire Custom Kitchens for our project. It was white-glove service all the way. Nader Feidy is a highly professional and detail-oriented project manager. His standards are high and is only satisfied when those standards are met. Karmela Dizon is a gifted designer imbued with an uncanny ability to make design sense of your expressed desires, see your vision, and bring them to aesthetic fruition while working with your stated budget. This is key and no small feat! I would be remiss in my review if I failed to share that all of the tradespeople were professional and friendly; they left each day with the work space in good order. We are extremely pleased with the quality of their work. The finish work is meticulous and stunning. If you are planning a remodel and are fortunate enough to be within range of Custom Kitchens, please be sure to check out their services. I would hope for everyone to have the experience we had during our project. We have no regrets and would work with them again.

We set out to remodel the kitchen and bath of our 1970 condominium with three issues at the forefront. First, we would be away from the area during the project duration, unable to monitor how things were going. Second, the condo complex has a number of technical idiosyncrasies, and exacting condo association requirements. Third, we wanted significant architectural changes with a limited budget. We did not have extra money for bling. Custom Kitchens earned a five-star rating because they listened to us and took each of these issues seriously throughout the project. Between the dates we first contacted them and when we signed the contract our project manager, Nader Feidy, investigated and resolved every technical and compliance issue. He met several times with managers at our condo complex, as well as our city, so that the design specifications left no uncertainties. Our project designer, Lisa Narum, incorporated quality, cost-conscious materials, fixtures, and appliances to help keep the overall project cost within our budget. She never tried to upsell us on luxury items, but had a well of ideas to improve the flow, functionality, and beauty of the space. Both Nader and Lisa seemed to have encyclopedic product knowledge, and were always ready to help us make cost comparisons as the design unfolded. Before we left the area our condo association approval package, compiled entirely by Custom Kitchens, had been submitted. We signed a firm contract, where everything down to the color of the tile grout had been determined. We left with a full set of drawings and detailed specs, as well as a calendar showing each stage of the project on specific dates. Over the course of the project we received ten progress reports, with photos, from Custom Kitchens. We returned one business day after the scheduled completion date of the project to a condo that was move-in ready. This is our third major remodeling project, and easily the least stressful we have ever experienced. Custom Kitchens did every bit of the legwork, worried every detail, and made us feel as though we were their only customer. It would be misleading to say the project was low-cost. But every dollar went toward meeting our priorities. We would definitely recommend Custom Kitchens, especially for projects with extra complications.

Outstanding service & great designers! Karmela and Lisa take time to work with your budget, and preferences. They offer premium surface hardware, too! Amerock is the best brand to use. They also host an annual event in coordination with Oakland Alameda Magazine, bringing top vendors, local wineries and chefs. Great event, and great company.

Custom Kitchens is absolutely amazing to work! I have personally worked with Karmela and she is very knowledgeable and responds right away to emails and calls! Its great to work with such great customer service!

Love, love working with Custom Kitchens!! They are over the top when it comes to promptness and professionalism. I would recommend them to everyone.

We highly recommend Custom Kitchens ("CK"), a design build firm in Oakland, California, that just remodeled our kitchen. CK has been in business since 1956 and has garnered multiple consecutive Houzz awards for good reason. We worked with Project Manager Nader Feidy and Certified Kitchen and Bathroom Designer Karmela Dizon. Nader is a consummate professional who has over 25 years of experience working at CK. He oversaw the project including setting up the work schedule, ensuring the proper performance of each phase of the work, and ensuring that everything was done exactly right. He visited on site nearly every day and promptly addressed any concerns we had. We particularly appreciated Nader's attention to detail and his willingness to assist us in various ways during the course of the remodel. Karmela Dizon is a talented designer who worked hard to incorporate and effectuate the design ideas we had. When necessary she readily offered multiple alternative designs or products until we found what we wanted. Karmela was collaborative and easy to work with. What particularly impressed us about CK was that the remodel was completed exactly on time and within the budget agreed upon (except for additional work we requested during the remodel.). Based upon our positive experience working with Project Manager Bader Feidy and desiigner Karmela Dizon, and the excellent work performed by CK!s highly skilled carpenters, tile setters, painters, electrician, plumber, etc., we highly recommend Custom Kitchens. We love our new kitchen!

Custom Kitchens = Awesome!! We chose Custom Kitchens to totally remodel the kitchen and upstairs bathroom in our 1912 Craftsman house. They did it all: design, plans, permits, construction, carpentry, subcontractors, and finish work. Not the cheapest but well worth it. Both rooms are small and expanding either room was not an option. The kitchen was a really bad 1970s DIY, and the bathroom was totally gross, with the only redeeming thing being the original 1912 small hexagon tile floor which we were able to retain. Both rooms were total gut jobs. While we wanted modern functioning rooms, reflecting the Craftsman feel of our home was also extremely important to us. Designer Karmela fought for every inch of space to make sure everything we wanted fit into our new kitchen. Creative use of space, and thoughtful design were critical. Project Manager Andy was a dream to work with, making sure all the details were addressed and the subs stayed on track. Were there hiccups and issues along the way? Of course, the house is over a hundred years old and we expected surprises once the walls were opened up! But Andy graciously worked with us through it all and we are very pleased with Custom Kitchens and their quality of work. We like them so much, in fact, we have engaged them again for another project, replacing our old coal fire place.

It was not fast and it was not cheap, but the final results are excellent. Everyone I dealt with was very nice and helpful.

Custom Kitchens recently did my kitchen, which included changing the cabinets, sink, and counters, installing shelves instead of cabinets above the counters, installing a new hood and a dishwasher. From the moment I walked into the showroom, Lisa the designer was welcoming, interested in my project, showed me the range of possibilities, and was easy to work with throughout, from beginning to end. She was always responsive and positive until we could agree on the design, find the right materials, and bring the project in on my budget. Nader, who would be the construction supervisor, joined the project early on, and worked with us to fit the design within my financial constraints. Both are excellent communicators, and Nader was on top of everything related to scheduling the work, inspections, lining up excellent carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc. who were also responsive to my needs. We ended up doing a few change orders and the process went smoothly. When we encountered some unexpected difficulties, Nader was excellent at resolving the problems, until I was happy with the results. In addition, both Lisa and Nader were willing to go along with my request to experiment with doing something different behind the stove, which turned out quite well. I am happy to recommend Custom Kitchens for their courteous, respectful, professional attitude, attention to detail, the quality of the subcontractors they work with, and importantly, their desire to give you what you want.

It was with great apprehension that we set out to remodel our kitchen. We had heard too many horror stories about the many things that could go wrong, particularly in the construction phase. But our old (1926), poorly designed, inefficient kitchen was finally falling apart, leaving us with no other choice. After interviewing many kitchen remodel companies and many homeowners, we chose Custom Kitchens. It is easy to see that Custom Kitchens designs and builds beautiful, highly functional kitchens: all you need to do is visit the showroom to view the sample kitchens and extensive slideshow. What we did not foresee is how smooth and (practically) stress-free the project would be. Actually, we had a lot of fun. This had everything to do with our outstanding design team, Joy and Nader. They expertly guided us through the process with endless patience and good humor. They welcomed our participation in the development of the design, were respectful of our ideas (we arrived with a detailed 4-page outline/wish list), and never rushed us in making decisions. Even though we could not change the kitchen footprint, Joy and Nader's creative design resulted in an increase of at least 50% in both storage space and counter space. Because the planning phase was so meticulous, the construction phase proceeded without a hitch. Once work began, it continued without interruption. The crew arrived on time every morning and left the work site clean at the end of every day. Nader visited regularly and the crew handled our questions/comments throughout the project. They finished a week ahead of schedule. With our dramatically improved kitchen, it's a lot more fun to cook and entertain. Thank you, Joy and Nader!

I have enjoyed working with Custom Kitchens on many of their design projects throughout my 20 years at Tileshop. Even in the early years of my career, I knew that Custom Kitchens was an established and renowned kitchen and bath remodeling company in the Bay Area. Their entire design team is very involved and committed to the uniqueness of each project. They work closely with each client, taking time to help them select the right material, down to the smallest detail. On several projects I have witnessed the Custom Kitchens designers go above and beyond on their client’s behalf. They take care of behind the scenes details, checking dye lots and selecting the best one for the project, thus creating a final result that truly achieves their client’s vision. It is this level of commitment to their customers, and open communication with us as their vendor, that makes them such an extraordinary company. I feel privileged to work with them. Over the years, I have gotten to know Jerry, Joy and their design team through their affiliation with NARI (National Associate of the Remodeling Industry). This organization of designers, contractors, and suppliers keeps its members informed of a variety of industry related issues and product innovations that directly effect the Design Build community. Custom Kitchens' proclivity for beautiful design has resulted in several award winning projects at the NARI “Remmies”.

Kitchen remodel. We are very pleased with the design and the creative team, and how they included us every step of the way. They were very thoughtful and respected our tastes and style preferences. The project management was top notch and they made it very easy for us since they supervised the whole team of workers and subcontractors without us having to take on a lot. But at the same time they took us into consideration and involved us with all major decisions and steps along the way. Their estimates came close to the actuals, and there were little surprises. We didn't use custom cabinets and there were some details that were missing, but we're very happy with the results and are very pleased with our beautiful kitchen.

Excellent job! So easy to with with and very professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone, I will use them again for other projects.

CK handled all the worst parts of what would have been a contracting nightmare and made us as comfortable as possible in a home temporarily missing a kitchen. I can't imagine doing a project of this magnitude without them.

If you are looking for a an amazing team for a home remodel in the Bay Area, look no further than Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins. From conception to execution, we were beyond pleased with our kitchen remodel, and we look forward to working with the team on other projects in the future. Their customer service, attention to detail, quality of work, and pricing made what could have been a stressful project a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Everyone that Custom Kitchens brought in (carpenters, plumbers, electricians) were very professional. We worked well with the project manager; it was nice to have one as he came to us with all project updates. As far as a remodel, it was a good experience and they always cleaned up after themselves. Custom Kitchens handled everything well and we would absolutely recommend them to friends and family!

We have been admiring Custom Kitchen’s showroom for the past forty years and when it was time to remodel our 100-year-old Berkeley Brown shingle home we ventured inside. We were greeted by Joy Wilkins, who after giving us a tour of their showroom sat down with us and explained their process and services. Our needs were a new kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom walk-in closet and central heat. She and Eric Jackson our project manager began the task of measuring the existing spaces, followed by a month of designing. Every detail of our project was discussed from the cost and timeline to each appliance, countertop & cabinet option and the schedule for installing the new central heat system from Atlas Heating. Even though one third of our house was going to be under construction, Custom Kitchens took every precaution to seal the remaining areas from the demo/remodel rooms and they helped us set up a temporary kitchen next to our living room. Having our home under construction for three months was a frightening proposition under any circumstance and we had heard our fair share of horror stories about incompetent contractors, substandard materials, hidden costs and nonexistent deadlines. However, this is not the case with Custom Kitchens, every detail and layer of our remodel project was explained and overseen by both Joy and Eric. They have a team of professional tradesmen, from Ian their foreman and his crew of Al and Joseph, to Jon our electrician, Clint our plumber, Tomack (tiler extraordinaire) and Michael our painter we knew we were in good hands. They all worked seamlessly together and involved us every step of the way. Each and every one of them take pride in their craft and the end result was a beautiful kitchen and bath that we will enjoy for years to come. Not to mention a spacious closet and having a warm home for the first time in many years. Custom Kitchens completed our project on time and on budget and we look forward to working with them again on our garage remodel in the spring. We highly recommend Custom Kitchens to anyone considering a remodel.

Custom Kitchens is an absolute delight to work with. Their beautiful designs are only enhanced by an absolute commitment to customer satisfaction. As a trade professional, I have found them to be wonderful to work with and would highly recommend them to any homeowner looking to renovate their kitchen.

My girlfriend and I recently bought a house that did not come with a refrigerator. We used Custom Kitchens to order and install a Sub-Zero as well as perform a few other miscellaneous tasks to make the house fully functional. Although it was a smaller project, the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and overall customer experience was nothing but the best. We would highly recommend Custom Kitchens and look forward to using them again in the future.

We hired Custom Kitchens do a kitchen re-face while maintaining the basic structure, cabinets and appliances within my kitchen. Nader, the project manager and Lisa, the designer did an outstanding job helping us . They were always concerned with cost while making sure the job was done properly . All the workmen they employed: carpenters, electricians , painters were consistently excellent, professional and skilled. I was very impressed that our project actually was completed a week early. I was always given very personal attention by Nader, who is extremely responsive and organized and by Lisa, whose design advice was always the right way to go. My kitchen update looks fantastic and I highly recommend and would use them again on my next project.

Custom Kitchens provided us with amazing service. The professional attention began with our first email contact through the clean up after the installation. They gave expert suggestions on the equipment we purchased, in this case a new cooktop and exhaust hood, and helped with the best pricing. The design suggestions were excellent as was the amazing craftwork of those who did the installation. This included difficult cutting of the existing stone countertop. The company has been around since the 1950s and now we know why. Do not hesitate to use them!

From our first meeting with Nader and Francis, we felt confident that our kitchen upgrade would be a good experience. Nader and Francis quickly understood our tastes and the style we wanted as well as the scope of the project. We appreciated their suggestions for various upgrades, while retaining some elements of the existing kitchen. They also worked with us to make compromises where necessary. We were impressed with their thorough preparation for the project and management of the construction process. We were also pleased with the options they presented for materials, features and design styles. The quality of the workmanship was top notch and all the workers they brought to our home were skilled and very pleasant to work with. We were out of the house for several weeks during construction and had total confidence in the work being done. Nader provided periodic email updates include photographs, which was very helpful. The management of the project went smoothly from start to finish. The few unexpected items that did pop up were handled with calm professionalism. Overall, we were highly satisfied with the quality of work provided by Custom Kitchens and would recommend them without reservation.

I had a fantastic experience working with Custom Kitchens on my kitchen remodel and also on my master bath/closet remodel, approximately 7 years later.. I had heard nothing but horror stories from friends who did remodeling projects, so I was very nervous! I worked with Joy and Nader, who planned and managed my projects perfectly. The design for both remodels is beautiful, functional and well thought out. All my concerns were taken into account in the development process. With Custom Kitchens managing your project, you see progress every day of construction. At no time does someone not show up to work for days/weeks at a time, like I have heard happens on so many remodeling projects. Every part of the process is tightly controlled. All the workers are top-notch and the results are excellent. Start to finish, my kitchen remodel took 9 1/2 weeks. In addition, follow-up is really excellent. I had an issue with the bathtub in the new bathroom, and Nader has been back to help with it, even though it has been more than a year since the project was finished. I highly recommend Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins.

We hired Custom Kitchens to remodel our mid-century California ranch-style kitchen. We wanted a kitchen that was consistent with the style and era of the house, but with all the modern materials, appliances and conveniences. They succeeded brilliantly. Working with Joy and Karmela, the design process was fun and easy. They worked hard to convert our vague ideas into a beautiful kitchen design. There was a lot of give-and-take during our design sessions and they brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the process. They were inventive and imaginative in coming up with solutions to our issues (e.g. Where do you put the stool needed to reach the high cabinets?). Their design drawings and plans were first rate, making it possible for us to easily visualize our new kitchen. Once the design was completed, the detailed planning and scheduling of the actual construction was beyond anything we have ever seen with any other contractor. We were given a detailed and complete Bill of Materials and a detailed day-by-day schedule of construction. We've done a number of remodeling projects over the years and we've never seen any other contractor do the level of planning that Custom Kitchens did for our kitchen. They then followed that schedule almost to the day. If it were not for some changes we made during construction, the project would have been completed exactly on schedule. Our project manager, Nader, was a pleasure to work with. We were always informed of the next steps and any issues were quickly identified and resolved. Mistakes (there are always a few) were fixed promptly and in good spirits. Permits and inspections were handled without any problems. They were very respectful of our privacy and very careful in preserving and protecting the other parts of the property. At the end of each day, they always left the site clean and in good order. First-rate companies hire first-rate employees. We were very impressed with the quality of their workmen. From their top-line carpenters (thanks Ian!) to their laborers, all of their employees were competent, hard-working and pleasant to have around. Their sub-contractors (electrical, plumbing, drywall, tile and painting) were all of the very best quality. We would not hesitate to use any of them for other projects. The end-of-project punch list can often be a source of conflict and confusion. Not with Custom Kitchens. All of our punch list items were handled quickly and to our complete satisfaction. We love our new kitchen! We have already begun our next project with Custom Kitchens.

We had an excellent experience working with Custom Kitchens. Jerry and Joy Wilkins were both professional and extremely supportive during our 3 month bath and kitchen remodel. Project manager Andy Cheak kept everything moving and communicated with us constantly so that we knew just where the work was going, completing the project right on time! The staff-carpenters, plumbers and electricians -were terrific, our neighbors complimented them constantly for their professionalism, and respect for our house and the neighbors as well! Our Victorian home's kitchen and bath were gutted to the studs and the ancient plumbing and electricity replaced. We now have a spacious kitchen, with modern applicances and an enlarged bathroom with lovely tiling and a beautiful paint job by Michael Quilty. I highly recommend Custom Kitchens especially if you are facing a complex remodel like ours. We have retained the charm of a 100+ year old home with the conveniences of modern technology thanks to the skills and years of experience of the WIlkins and their staff.

Custom Kitchens blends their signature touch with decades of in-house expert craftsmanship and devotion to bring the customer's vision to life. At every step in the process, they work with the customer in a coordinated, collaborative, approach with a trained, creative eye to detail and precision. Their top to bottom company integration makes the process organized, sequential, timely and personable. Jerry, Joy and the rest of their crew immerse themselves in the study of emerging products and technologies, attending trade shows, hosting professional events, researching on line, even traveling across country and the world to increase their wherewithal. They are a wellspring of expertise on what is newer and better. Joy’s vast knowledge and sophisticated aesthetic design sense, Jerry’s passionate immersion in his craft and Andy’s devotion to getting things done right the first time and on time make the experience personal as well as professional. They will help you hand pick a product, incorporate your design visions, devise ways to use your space in ways you never imagined, and help you determine the colors, textures, lighting, fixtures and so on to cut through the complexity and attain the ambiance and functionality that you desire . All of their employees, whether in the office or on the job, are cohesive and caring, making their contributions to a job well done. The whole staff solicit feedback, take note of customer suggestions or comments through each step of the project and are ready and willing to take your call or email and respond quickly. You feel assured that they will take care of the unforeseen elements that always pop up in any remodel and smooth out the bumps from start to end. Because Custom Kitchens handles the entire job, from design, through acquisition of materials and equipment , coordination of workmen through construction, clean up and wrap-up, you feel much more at ease and are able to come and go in your normal routines with minimal inconvenience or distraction. We have hired Custom Kitchens for four major remodel projects in the past eight years to put our home at a designer level of elegance, charm and functionality. We still marvel at the results which span the years to remain timeless, enduring, contemporary and elegant. They design and deliver your dream to make it come true.

We loved our experience working with Custom Kitchens. They are a fantastic group. We were working on a very fixed timeline and after interviewing several contractors for a fairly large renovation on our new home (focused on kitchen, bathroom, laundry room), we were very happy to have met them. They did a great job on our 100 year old house. Highlights as follows: On time, on budget. Held to their original timeline and worked extremely hard throughout the summer to even finish early. No change to original budget except for additions we elected and discussed with them. Understood we were focused on staying within budget and worked carefully with us to make that happen. We felt we got good value for our money. Trustworthy family company. They have been in business for around 50 years and take a long term view on their business. We feel a very high level of trust with them and their team. They required very little oversight - very different from our past experiences with other contractors. We took a vacation during our renovation and they did not miss a beat. Every person on CK's team is professional, friendly, and enthusiastic about the project. The team leads that we corresponded with were all very reachable via phone, cell, and email and always responded quickly. We never felt left hanging. Top notch team and design-to-build platform. We thought we would need to find a designer, architect, and contractor separately. CK has an excellent, thoughtful, in-house design team that helped work with us to design a kitchen and bathroom that fit our vision. They were very enjoyable to work with, had a high level of excitement about the project, were aware of endless styles, and had creative solutions throughout the process. Having the design team and contractor in one place was very efficient and allows for quick transfer of ideas and easy shifts in plans. We really loved working with CK's designers. Quality work. They take a high level of pride in their work and did an excellent job throughout. Made adjustments along the way to make sure everything was done right. Everyone who has seen the house has noted how great and professional it looks. Also worth noting that CK worked with and found solutions to our requests to make the renovation as low-tox and "green" as possible. Also, they have extensive relationships with sub-contractors in the area and we were very happy with all of the ones they worked with. Our experience was really fantastic - they made it easy on us, were fun to work with, and did exceptional work - we plan to use CK again in the future and would recommend them in a second to anyone.

We recently bought a home and the kitchen was awful. It was very small with those “spec house” light oak cabinets, which we dislike. Our intention all along was to have the kitchen remodeled. We had seen an infomercial for another kitchen remodeling company on a Sunday morning, and it looked great; new custom kitchen in two weeks! We started looking at the reviews on Yelp for these types of companies and the reviews for the one in the infomercial was terrible! There really weren't any companies that had a large number of good Yelp reviews, but we ran on to Custom Kitchens By John Wilkins and even though there weren't that many reviews, they were all a perfect 5. We made an appointment to speak to them and were paired up with Francis Combes. We were so impressed with him and the quality of work that they were doing we were sold from the beginning. We didn't look any further and are so glad we didn't! We really didn’t have any ideas on what we wanted except that we didn’t like what we had. We were then assigned 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. We selected the plan with the most cabinets and went with every suggestion Francis and Eric made. The end result is amazing and they were so gracious when we initiated three change orders during the process. We combined a small family room and a breakfast nook into the kitchen to make a large area that is wonderful for entertaining and visiting with friends. The process took about three months and was planned out perfectly. It was masterfully planned and thinking about the entire process, we’re really glad we didn’t follow up with the other company doing the infomercials, because we would not have ended up with the quality product we now have. There would be no way possible to do the job we had done in two weeks. We wholeheartedly recommend Custom Kitchens and are happy to show the work they did to anyone that would like to come see our wonderful kitchen. And by the way, the electrician, Jonathan Aszklar Electric, and painter, Michael Quality Painting, Custom Kitchens contracted with for our job, were also excellent. We have since used them on other projects and the quality of their work is also exceptional.

We did a complete kitchen remodel with Custom Kitchens and they were professional, courteous, and timely. Their design team was top notch and gave us everything we wanted in our new kitchen. The project management team was thorough, organized and knowledgeable. The subcontractors and construction team were also excellent and respectful of our property and our privacy. We would highly recommend this design build firm for any remodeling project.

Custom Kitchens remodeled our kitchen beautifully, innovatively, on time, on budget and on spec. We continued to work with them over several years remodeling the basement with a new bath, laundry, and garage as well as remodeling our main bath and several other rooms. We continue to work with them on small jobs and have found their professionalism top notch no matter the job size. We highly recommend Custom Kitchens.

We have worked with Custom Kitchens on two projects: a tiny powder room in our downstairs and, most recently, a small guest bathroom upstairs. We have been exceptionally pleased with both the results of these projects, and with the process of designing and realizing them. We've worked with Nader Freidy (project manager) and Karmela Dizon (designer) on both of these rooms, and it's hard to imagine more patient, cooperative, creative, and accommodating folks. On the most recent project in particular, the subcontractors involved--from carpenter, to plumber, to electrician, to tilers-- were impressive craftsmen who did outstanding, efficient work. Work of this caliber comes at a price, certainly. Custom Kitchens is not cheap, by any means. The expense, however, is completely justified by the service and very high quality of work received. We'll love the two rooms built by custom kitchens for many years to come. We would unhesitatingly call on Custom Kitchens again for any renovation or remodeling work on our home.

From the moment Nader Feidy walked into my home until the final inspection, I felt totally comfortable and know I was getting first class service. The team I worked with at Custom Kitchens, Joy Wilkins, Lisa Narum, and Nader made me feel like my kitchen was their only project. Their organization was impeccable, every detail outlined and a schedule that would have been followed to the minute if they hadn't run into a delay in the flooring being shipped. Both Joy and Lisa escorted me to stone warehouses and tile stores, more than once. The entire project was done while I was out of town with almost daily communication and pictures. All of my emails and phone calls were dealt with in a timely manner. There are no words that can express how highly I would recommend Custom Kitchens. I thank them every minute I spend in my fairy tale kitchen.

I could not be happier with the work Custom Kitchens did on turning my old kitchen and separate laundry room into one big beautiful eat-in kitchen. From the design phase to selection of materials to the actual construction, everything was top-notch. They stayed on schedule throughout - made friends with my dog - and made sure things were tidied up at the end of every day (might seem like a small thing but it was a nice touch). They respected my opinions - and my budget, which were also important. The project manager and the crew were very professional, looping me in when necessary. Everyone who has seen my new kitchen has been blown away, But most important, I love it love it love it. Thank you Custom Kitchens!

Thirty years ago we had the kitchen remodeled by another company, and the experience was a nightmare. I learned a lot. I wont go into details, but in choosing CK, I felt I had found a contractor I could trust because they had been in business for so long and had such a good reputation. As it turned out, CK is a great company to work with. The project manager, Andy, and the designer, Karmela, came to my house, took detailed measurements in my kitchen space, and then sat down with me innumerable times while they drew up plans which I would agree to. They explained everything to me as we went along, making appropriate suggestions. And they also listened to my opinions and reasons for wanting some details. The subcontractors they used were friendly, courteous and came to work in a timely fashion. The schedule was particularly well coordinated so that the work was done in a logical fashion without delays. They understood now difficult it is to be without a kitchen. The on site "project manager" Ruskin couldn't have been better. He took every effort to get the details right and always asked for my opinion when things requiring a choice had to be decided. He would let me know if he wasn't going to be here, but who was coming instead. Andy and Karmela came repeatedly to see that the work was proceeding well. Karmela arranged for me to visit the Wolf-Subzero showroom for a personal demonstration of those appliances and took me to the granite company to make a selection bringing a sample of the wood that was being used in the cabinets. She also helped me choose tile for the splash at the stove and paint for the walls coordinating with the woodwork. When I moved into the kitchen and began using it, I appreciated more and more Karmela's design, its practical and efficient nature. There is a place for everything, and easy accessibility to utensils and pots and pans, right where they needed. They specially designated china cabinet in the dining area is a joy to use and ha lovely places for linens and cases and storage. I really can't say enough about how pleased I with the final result. I know CK is a high end company but I can only say you get what you pat for and I am very happy to have had my kitchen done by Custom Kitchens.

My husband and I cannot begin to sing the praises of Custom Kitchens! From the Design by Joy to Nader, the courteous and accommodating project manager to Yan, the master carpenter, to Dereck, the fabulous electrician, to Michael the perfectionist painter and many others on their teams. Our large kitchen got a complete make over and has been transformed not only into an efficient kitchen but also into a wonderful living space. Thank you custom kitchens from Tony Long and Monique Elias.

This firm provided completely professional service. The designer is patient and respectful of our desire to retain some existing elements which we particularly like and provided a design that blended beautifully with them. Good help in understanding and updating selection of materials. The project manager was always readily available and provided a detailed schedule of work which was helpful because we continued to live in the house while the the work was being done. All work was accomplished by skilled craftsman in a professional manner; at the same time they were pleasant to have in our home. Specific examples: the designer suggested a larger sink in place of the small bar sink, which was brilliant. The plumber discovered that inferior material had been used by the builder in 1985 and corrected the problem. We were shown examples of lighting in the firm's showroom, which is better than the store exhibit, and we are pleased with the selection. We were shown examples of granite finish. We selected honed, and still show it off to our friends. The electrician explained bringing countertop outlets up to code and we added that to the job.

As a subcontractor for Custom Kitchens, I've had the opportunity to work alongside with some of the best in the business. Their talented in house design team, incredible project managers, an amazing craftsman contribute to one of the best remodeling companies I've ever worked with. When ever I have a client ask me for a recommendation for a good remodeling company, Custom Kitchens has always been on the top of my list. So if you're looking for a kitchen remodel, or just a small upgrade for your home, this is the company that you want to check out first.

On time, on budget. The four words that define Custom Kitchens. When we had to choose a company to completely redesign our kitchen/family room, the words we heard most often from previous clients were: "on time, on budget". The first phase of our project, the design phase, was led by Joy, Karmela, and Nader. They gave us confidence each step of the way that they were keeping our primary goals in mind: light and space as we went through the many decisions that have to be made in a major remodel. The design team made it easy for us. Once the layout was presented and we approved, they knew exactly where lights should be, the placement of solar tubes to bring in natural light, a pantry, an 8' island with storage, a pull-out spice cupboard next to my stove, and enough cupboards to keep that clean look in my desire for a zen feeling kitchen. They also designed and built a laundry center in the kitchen with a counter top for folding clothes. Once we agreed on design and had chosen appliances, cabinets, etc. we signed a contract and Custom Kitchens took over all the rest of the details--permits, ordering, etc. Work on the project does not begin until cabinets are ordered, appliances etc. so there is never a lull in construction. We were handed a calendar showing the work that would be accomplished each week. They began on the stated date and work was completed on the projected date. The design team is one factor that makes this company so successful but it wouldn't work if they didn't have just the right team to implement the design plan. Our primary carpenter, Ruskin, was our hero on this project. He was here promptly each morning at 7:30 and worked steadily through each day until at least 4:30. Nader, our Project Manager, checked in regularly to oversee each phase of the project. He gave us confidence throughout the project that all was going as we had planned. The electrician, plumber, painter all have worked with Custom Kitchens so they know their work is up to Custom Kitchen standards. Kitchens are the place where families gather in a home. It is the place where memories are made. Custom Kitchens was absolutely the right choice to hand over this sacred part of our house to redesign. We had resistance by grandkids and our own kids not to change the kitchen of their childhoods. Now they all approve of this new remodel. Now we are on our way to creating years of new memories in this beautiful space

We recently had Custom Kitchens remodel our downstairs bathroom and our master bathroom. My wife and I agonized for months trying to determine what should be done, and how to do it. Finally, we relied on a friend's recommendation, and selected Custom Kitchens to do the work. They handled the project from beginning to end, from conception to design to construction with complete management along the way. We were more than pleased with their workers, and the quality of their work. They were respectful of our house, always cleaned up at the end of the day and the finished product was excellent. The whole project was stress free for us, and we ended up with two beautiful bathrooms. It was a pleasure to work with all of the staff at Custom Kitchens. In fact, we are so pleased, we have hired them again to do some kitchen remodeling for us!

I hired Custom Kitchens to update and install new appliances in my kitchen in a mid century traditional home. I dealt with Nader who has been with the company for over 20 years. He arrived right on time, listened to my ideas, drew sketches to understand my vision, and then helped me select the wolf and subzero appliances that I was looking for. The project began right on time and ended during the timeframe that I was expecting based upon the estimate. The really impressive thing about this project was that all three people including the carpenter, installer and the painter had been with this company for number of years. The carpenter checked in everyday with me via text or phone and apprised me of the next steps. We have a lot of one of a kind sculptures and art and the care exhibited by the crew was impressive. The remodel/install was perfectly done, the attention to detail was inpressive and the customer service was superb. I am thrilled with Custom Kithchens and recommend them.

When I was a student, I literally googled remodeling companies, called them one by one and asked if I could work for them as an intern. Companies after companies turned me down because they wanted somebody with an experience. However, Custom Kitchens was the last and only company who gave me a shot. They set a day to interview me, gave me my intern hours, trained me, and hired me full time few months even before I graduated. To this day, I am still working with them. I can say, through those years, they have trained me very well and helped be develop myself as a designer. They gave me opportunities to travel and learn, sent me to different classes, and supported me in my design certification. Custom Kitchens is a family owned and family-oriented firm who cares about their clients and the welfare of their employees. The project managers, designers, carpenters, and other artisans are very passionate at what they do. Most of all, Jerry, the owner, is not only a seasoned businessman and general contractor, but a humble leader. There's a very good reason why they are still in the business after 65 years, and why most employees stayed with them for at least 20 + years. Clients from 50's still call them and new clients can only testify their great workmanship.

We chose this firm for a design/build project for our master bathroom in 2003. They did such a good job that we chose them again for our second bathroom in 2013. Both jobs went smoothly, from the initial contact to the last fixture. The 2003 bathroom has held up very well, and the 2012 bathroom is now a delight to use. The firm is 50+ years old, run by Jerry Wilkins, the son of the original owner, with his team of project manager, carpenters, plumbers, tilers... all the crafts one needs for such a project. Jerry and his team are responsive quickly to concerns and do their utmost best to solve issues/problems as they arise. Their practice is NOT limited to kitchens and bathrooms, so consider them for any other residential renovation you are considering.

Custom Kitchens by John Wilkins stands out for several reasons, the most important of which is their design sense. Rather than imposing some unilateral vision on a project, designer Joy Wilkins and her team are able to create an aesthetic and resulting space entirely around a client's needs and desires, even working with existing appliances or architectural features when necessary. Custom Kitchens has been extraordinary to work with in every sense. As a photographer, I'm very sensitive to workmanship, and I know that Custom Kitchen projects are going to be impeccable (important because otherwise I have to re-touch all the imperfections! With Jerry's work, there aren't any imperfections to fix.) The work is very tight. All in all, Custom Kitchens is excellent - good people, good design, and good workmanship. The end results speak for themselves!

Custom Kitchens does EVERYTHING from top to bottom. We had a complete kitchen and masterbath reconstruction in our Oakland Hills home in 2000, all while still while living in the house with minor disruption. The work was completed well within the original time frame and budget! The team even created a temporary kitchen for us in another room, and sealed off the construction so well that the rest of the house was untouched. Now, we can't wait for Custom Kitchens to help us update the home we just purchased.

Custom Kitchens has high standards, good supervision of sub-contractors, and excellent design consultation with attention to historical details, good explaining of the remodeling business, and exceptional ability to listen to the desires and needs of their client. We have worked with CK over the last 9 years. The remodeling work we have asked CK to do includes 3 different jobs: extensive kitchen and bathroom remodeling; window replacement to include screens and custom hardware; and foundation rebuilding and basement remodeling. In this case, we are rating their extensive kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

Custom Kitchens did a great job remodeling our 60 year old bathroom. Andy Cheak, as the project manager, immediately began looking at our house as if he himself lived in it. What worked? What was an obstacle? How could we fix it? We talked at the outset about how we could redo the bath itself, since we’re both shower users. My husband didn’t want any tub in the new room, and I felt strongly that an installed bathtub will make the house more valuable if and when we sell it. The end result, a low tub, an excellent shower and a clear shower door, make the room airy and attractive. Karmela came in a bit later, as we started to get specific about details, and all she needed was a general idea of what we wanted. Our preferences for color, double towel holders, light wood cabinets, good lighting, grab bars and other items passed to her and she came up with well-designed fixtures without much further prompting from us. The team of craftspeople were uniformly helpful, not only competent, but accommodating. Ian, the crew foreman, made one basic suggestion, correcting the placement of a double towel rack to leave room for the door to swing freely. As this was a relatively small job, many of the specialists were independent contractors that Andy supervised and scheduled. These too were very careful workers, determined to do their jobs right. Occasionally this meant that we had to abide by their schedules or the schedules and materials of their suppliers, but when it was all done, we’ve had very few corrections to make. Hats off to Custom Kitchens!

We bought a 1919 flat in Berkeley that was still in its original condition. Its style was classic and stunning, but its kitchen was functionally hopeless. Jerry and Joy and their people came in and worked closely with us to design a renovation that would preserve the original style of the kitchen but bring its functions completely uptodate. This involved some amazing architectural design work as well as very knowledgeable input on appropriate appliances and fixtures. They took the kitchen apart piece by piece, updated its functions, and then put it all back together in its original condition. And all this was done to a tight schedule that we had to meet: three weeks. The result is perfection, work done by people who understand the importance of attention to detail, as well as the importance of good personal relations.

Have had non-emergency appliance installations go poorly, so it was a wonderful surprise to have Custom Kitchens replace my built-in refrigerator (discovered a leak was back after 2 previous repairs Thanksgiving morning) ASAP in time for the holidays. Excellent communication by Eric, the project manager, and a superb, fast half-day installation that included adding a water line for the ice-maker and moving the electrical outlet so it is now accessible for a generator. The guys worked very hard to get the new refrigerator into the old, tighter space, didn't leave a mark on my wood floors or a speck of trash. Recommend without qualifications.

Custom Kitchens is the best! We have worked with them on two major projects. The first was a whole-house remodel in 2008 that included a new kitchen, three bathrooms, structural modifications, wall removal, new doors, windows, floors and fireplaces. They did a beautiful job. Nothing was overlooked, which was especially important since we were out of town during execution of the project. The talented CK designers, the project managers, and all the skilled subcontractors were a delight to work with. Every facet of their workmanship was superb. The project was completed on time and we were thrilled with our beautiful new home. Two years ago we moved to a larger home to accommodate a growing family, and we started all over again! The first task was a complete remodel of unattractive, very dysfunctional kitchen that was transformed into a beautiful, spacious dream space for the serious chefs in the family. Again, the work was completed on time with great attention to detail and minimal interruption to our busy schedule. Phase 2 involved a huge (12 x 18) master bathroom, much too large for our needs. Thanks to Joy Wilkins who devised an inspirational design and reconfiguration, we were able to segment off space to create a beautiful new bath for an adjacent guest room as well as a stunning spa-like master retreat. All the reconfiguration for plumbing, lighting, storage - as well as a new exterior wall to remediate a serious dry rot problem - was accomplished effortlessly to our great satisfaction. Everything turned out perfectly with the help of their expert designers and subcontractors. We're now looking forward to Phase 3, which will update another guest bath and create a functional, attractive new laundry room. We are deeply grateful to the entire Custom Kitchens staff for their integrity, high standards, superb work, always ongoing creative solutions to any problem homeowners may encounter, and delightful working environment. Bottom line: They're an extremely talented, great group of people who consistently work hard to do their very best to please their clients. We wouldn't think of working with any other design/construction firm. Thanks, Custom Kitchens!

The project includes a complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling. A load bearing wall between the kitchen and the breakfast room was removed to enlarge the kitchen/breakfast area. A new structual footing was added to transfer the load. Both the kitchen and the bathroom were stripped to wall studs. New electrical and plumbiings were installed. New fixtures, cabinets, and appliances for the kitchen and the bathroom. Mostly high-end quality appliances and fixtures, including custom made cabinets. Custom kitchen was willing to work with us to maintain our budget. They were quick to address issues during the project. Follow-up services after the project was completed has been outstanding. We will definitely consider Custom Kitchen for future work.

Custom Kitchen has done extensive remodeling and renovations on our 1928 home. They are professional in every respect and do quality work. I will hire them again for our next project...in an old house there is always a next project!

We've provided landscape architecture services for two clients whose homes Custom Kitchens extensively remodeled. Jerry and Joy Wilkins, and their design/build team, are wonderful to work with--professional, responsive, and intelligent. They have an amazing design eye, not only overall, but in all the details--tiles, finishes, fixtures and more. It was a pleasure working with them on their award-winning projects, and we look forward to our next one together.

Custom Kitchens has done two projects on our home: verandah work and a kitchen remodel. Their employees are reli Custom Kitchens did a fantastic job on our kitchen remodel. They did a thorough preparation, explained the process carefully to us, provided a good temporary kitchen, completed the work ahead of schedule, and cleaned up meticulously when the work was completed. Their design was beautiful and efficient, keeping in mind the needs of our family Everyone from the project manager to the workers showed up on time and performed their tasks skillfully. We have no reservations and recommend them highly for any home remodeling project. We have since turned to them for another major project and were equally pleased with their work and management of the subcontractors.

Custom Kitchens really listened to what we wanted in a kitchen remodel, and then they provided it. Their design work was excellent. Their construction was carefully done using excellent materials.

We first hired Custom Kitchens to in 1957 to do some minor remodeling and updating of a Kitchen that had been badly designed and constructed in 1953 by a local agent developing an area called Fairlawn Drive in the Berkeley Hills. They were referred by neighbors who liked their craftsmen and their work overseen then by John Wilkins. John hired old world craftsmen, who took pride in their work, and satisfaction in always providing service for value. The cost was minimal less than $2000 then. A few years later, we wanted to develop a large undeveloped "raw" basement area which contained a furnace and nothing else. In cooperation with John we designed a large downstairs room, entrance, shower bathroom, and unattached washroom. The digging was done, in part by Jerry, current manager of the business. The room is birds eye maple paneling, on three sides and large windows on the fourth. The floors were slate, and remain as beautiful as they were when built. I believe the cost was less than $16,000. A few years later Custom Kitchen redesigned our single carport into one that would accommodate two cars, and substantially increase the deck size off of our living room. Strange window sizes etc, presented a problem, but again Custom called upon one of their older glaziers to build double pained glazed glasses that permitted us to abandon drapes and shades in the living room, and enjoy an entire wall of glass looking out to the bay. In short, we have been doing business with Custom Kitchen for sixty years, first father, and then son. We trust them, rely on the to provide the service promised in the time promised, and do it with a staff that is always capable, generally always pleasant to have around. Over the years, their prices, like other costs have gone up, but we have never felt exploited or taken advantage of by a firm who still does custom work, stands by its word, and finds its satisfaction in that of its old customers who continue to be many. They are, and will continue to be a firm who takes pride in tradition and workmanship in a world where many no longer know the meaning of the word.

Custom Kitchens handled the kitchen upgrade we had planned before my husband died. The results are more than satisfactory. We replaced the countertops, cooktop, microwave and dishwasher and painted the cabinets a new color, while at the same time refinishing the wood floor, replacing the tile in the entryway, powder room and sunroom, and painting the powder room a different color (removing wallpaper in order to do so). The contract was clearly presented and progress payments noted in advance. They promised me this would all be done in the space of two months, and the project finished right on time. Their subcontractors were skilled, punctual, tidy and respectful of my space. They also tasked someone to help me move things out of the old kitchen and then back into the new one, which was an added benefit, as was the assistance of their on-staff design professional. Though expensive, it was worth it. The project was trouble-free, which was and is important to me. I'm very pleased with the results and would recommend Custom Kitchens to anyone considering a remodel.

Our (Fox Marble's) working relationship with Custom Kitchens over the past 10 years has been both refreshing and rewarding. The most evident characteristic is that their jobs are professionally organized and their clients are happy.

As a fellow business associate, I have worked with Jerry and Joy for over twenty years. They have recieved numerous awards and accolades over many years, and their clients are for a lifetime. Their staff is the best!! Custom Kitchens is truely the kitchen design expert! Bob H