The Challenge
When customers are comparing custom cabinetry companies, an initial estimate can play a major role in their decision. However, the lowest initial bid doesn’t always represent the final cost or the materials a customer ultimately wants for their home.
At Out of the Woods, we take a different approach. Rather than competing for customers through artificially low estimates, we work to provide accurate and transparent pricing based on each customer’s specific wants, needs, and material selections. This commitment to transparency helps customers understand what exactly they’re paying for before they move forward with us.
In a recent customer interaction, that approach proved especially valuable after a customer experienced a significant difference between a competitor’s initial bid and the actual cost of their project.
Setting Realistic Expectations
From the beginning, Out of the Woods communicated a realistic timeline for the customer’s custom cabinetry project. Our team explained that custom-build cabinets would take approximately 7-9 weeks from sign-off to installation.
For a customer planning a remodeling project, or trying to finish their new home, having a clear understanding of both cost and timeline can make the process much easier to plan for. Rather than promising an unrealistically short turnaround, Out of the Woods provided an estimate based on the actual process involved in building cabinets from scratch.
That same transparency extends to pricing. Out of the Woods strives to create estimates based on the customer’s requested materials, design preferences, and project requirements rather than using a lower initial bid simply to win the job.
The Lower Bid
The customer had initially chosen another cabinetry company after receiving a lower bid. However, after putting down a deposit, the customer discovered that the competing estimate was based on a less expensive wood than the materials they had expected.
The customer ultimately found themselves paying more than the original bid. After they had realized what had happened, the customer reached back out to Out of the Woods for help with additional cabinetry. They asked the team to look at the wall they wanted to add cabinets to and provide ideas on appropriate scale, while also wanting the new cabinets to mimic the design and color of the existing cabinets.
This gave Out of the Woods another opportunity to demonstrate the value of its honest, consultative approach.
A Customer’s Words
The customer openly acknowledged that the lower initial price had not told the whole story and expressed regret about not choosing Out of the Woods for the original project. The customer also specifically acknowledged that Out of the Woods had correctly identified why the competing estimate was less expensive.
For Out of the Woods, this customer interaction demonstrated the value of giving customers straightforward information even if that information doesn’t result in the lowest initial estimate.
The Result
While the initial project went to another company, the customer’s poor experience ultimately brought them back to Out of the Woods for additional cabinetry work.
More importantly, the interaction strengthened the customer’s confidence in the company’s recommendations. By providing an honest assessment of materials, pricing, and timelines, Out of the Woods established itself as a resource the customer could trust rather than simply another company competing for the lowest bid.
Why It Matters
Custom cabinetry is a significant investment, and customers deserve to understand what they’re purchasing before committing to a project. Out of the Woods’ approach focuses on providing accurate estimates based on the actual specifications of each project and communicating openly throughout the process.
That commitment to honest communication is part of what has helped Out of the Woods build its reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer service. Instead of relying on pricing games, the company focuses on giving customers the information they need to make informed decisions about their homes. Contact us today to get a free, honest, and accurate quote on your next project.
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