Which Remodeling Company is Right for you?
Choosing the right partner for your kitchen, bath or whole-home remodeling project is crucial, and not all options are equal. That’s why Drury Design stands apart. With 35+ years of experience, we’ve continuously refined our approach, learning and adapting to create a model that truly serves our clients. Here’s how we compare to the other business models in the industry.
Experience
35+ years of experience with kitchen, bath and whole-house remodeling in the Chicago area and beyond.
Design
Highly creative, award-winning, NKBA-certified designers who blend form and function seamlessly, staying updated with the latest industry standards and trends.
Project Management
Your designer is with you from idea stage to the very end, managing the project to completion.
Team
One crew dedicated solely to your project with uninterrupted focus.
Timeline
Project deadlines are clearly defined and met.
Service Scope
We handle everything – countertops, tile, appliances, floors and more.
Continued Service
We offer a 2-year warranty on all work and continue to provide service and support long after the warranty period.
Pros
- We help with selections before final contract
- We don’t use the allowances pricing method that leads to unexpected additional costs
- We specialize in high-end appliances, cabinets, tile and more
Cons
- Not the best fit for those seeking a lower-quality, budget-focused experience
You Should Know
- We cater to clients expecting a white glove service
Big
Remodeling Company
Experience
Large corporate entity with processes built for scale.
Design
High-volume design execution often detached from true needs of clients. Designers guided by sales-driven templates.
Project Management
Clients shuffled between salespeople, designers and various GCs.
Team
Workers often split between multiple projects, leading to many days with no workers at job sites.
Timeline
Flexible project deadlines often stretch.
Service Scope
All services and materials covered.
Continued Service
Limited cabinet warranties are common.
Pros
- Particularly suitable for budget-conscious clients and home flippers
- Ideal for clients flexible with extended timelines
Cons
- Frequent project stops and starts, often without notice
- Limited materials with the allowances approach upgrades mean new costs
You Should Know
- Not ideal for high-quality craftsmanship or unique design ideas
- A portion of your cost funds shareholder dividends, billboards and TV commercials
Decorator/
Designers
Experience
Typically solo entrepreneurs or small boutique teams with a strong focus on aesthetics but limited structural or functional expertise.
Design
Emphasizes aesthetics over engineering and functionality, often due to a lack of formal industry certification and limited exposure to comprehensive design and construction practices.
Project Management
Rely heavily on GCs for construction tasks.
Team
Limited control over workers and trades.
Timeline
Completion dates often slip – decorator-designers frequently design as they go. This approach can result in materials being ordered late, leading to further delays.
Service Scope
Rely on multiple outside service providers who operate under their own schedules and priorities.
Continued Service
Warranties and continued service beyond cabinet vendor warranties are rare.
Pros
- Particularly adept at non-structural room refreshes without layout changes or significant updates
Cons
- Limited technical expertise for complex remodels
You Should Know
- The decorator-designer’s solo path means less control over major technical aspects of remodeling.
Vendor Companies &
Big Box Stores
Experience
Extensive experience in handling standardized projects with a focus on efficiency over customization.
Design
Predominantly ‘one-size-fits-most’ solutions shaped by corporate guidelines. Minimal room for personalization and bespoke design possibilities.
Project Management
Company GCs juggle multiple projects simultaneously, often leading to less personalized attention to each job.
Team
Installation crews are selected from a store-curated list focused on fast turnaround, often at the expense of quality work and service.
Timeline
Flexible project deadlines often stretch.
Continued Service
Limited cabinet warranties are common.
Service Scope
Limited selections tailored toward streamlining sales with preferred vendor partners.
Pros
- Good for DIY-minded clients with strict budgets
Cons
- Limited options for custom solutions
You Should Know
- Restricted choices for materials and finishes
Handy Dan & His Van
Experience
Handyman who does a few big projects a year. Relies on practical experience rather than formal training.
Design
Relies heavily on improvisation, without a cohesive plan or understanding of design principles. This often results in a lack of harmony between form and function.
Project Management
Dan handles the basics, hires subcontractors for specialized needs.
Team
Small, often fluctuating crew with limited resources.
Timeline
Difficulty setting deadlines. Expect delays as Dan picks up other work.
Service Scope
You’ll be in charge of materials selections. Dan has limited industry relationships that offer advantageous pricing.
Continued Service
No expectation beyond cabinet vendor warranties.
Pros
- Great for clients who want hands-on logistics involvement in the the remodel
Cons
- Dan’s untested areas of expertise
- Liability risk higher with Dan’s (possible lack of) insurance
You Should Know
- Dan’s clients are known to make rescue calls to other remodeling companies
- Dan can be your guide to getting Big Box Store cabinets and selecting mass-market tile, countertops, etc.