Pelican Cabinets & Remodeling — Local services in Irvine

This is an unfortunate amendment to my review which was written as soon as the cabinets were installed, but 10 days before the appliances arrived. My original review was solicited by Guilin with a specific request to mention names of people on the team and a promise of gift cards (never materialized) for these mentions. The appliance installation was being done by professional installers from Pirch. The following sequence of events occured:

1.The appliance installers could not fit the 2 ovens in their enclosures. One oven sat a little too high and couldn't fully slide in. The other oven sat a little low so that its door couldn't fully open. The installers asked for Guilin to come back and adjust.

About 15 days later Edgar from Guilin came to fix the problem with the following results. The top oven looked good. The bottom oven was sticking out by about 1/2 inch. Edgar told me that this is how this oven is, and I just had to accept. But I looked at the specs of the oven and its depth was 2-4 inches less than the depth of the enclosure. I complained to Guilin, pointing out the fact that according to specs this was a flush-installation oven. Four days later I had to remind them about the problem, sent a copy of the specs (which they were supposed to have all along). Got the following response from Andrew: 'If [Edgar] said that's as far as it goes I will believe him. Sometimes the electrical conduit will be in the back and cause the oven to stick out a little bit, I don't recall where it was located since we didn't do the wiring. Our cabinet was built properly to spec I send our guy to reinstall the ovens as a courtesy since we weren't responsible for any appliance/electrical'. Thus, Guilin was refusing the responsibility.

I got the Pirch installers to come back again and see if they could explain the problem. They circled the place on the installation diagram which illustrated what part of the cabinet enclosure was not up to specs. I reported this to Guilin with illustrations.

Eight days later Edgar came back. The proper fixing of the problem would have required too much disassembling. So he had to create cutouts in the existing cabinet walls. He did this for both ovens, because the top one was slightly protruding too, though not as much as the lower one. Now the ovens fit, and looked flush. I had to remind Edgar to cover any resulting gaps with pieces of matching wood. For the top oven, the wood plank to cover the gap was not long enough and left gaps on either side. I complained about this by calling several times and texting once, but never got a response.

This whole saga took 6 weeks. I now have the oven with this small imperfection, which happens to be at the eye level. I am shocked by the change in attitude on the part of Guilin. In ALL my communications I was courteous and factual.

--------ORIGINAL REVIEW-----------

Guilin built and installed beautiful kitchen cabinets for us. The result is excellent. The process was smooth and clear. If mishaps occurred, they were promptly corrected. The communication between me, the customer, and the team of 4 people working on the project was carried out via a group text created early on. The cabinets were ready on the date promised. Guilin stored the cabinets for us until we were ready to install. The installation by James was amazingly precise and meticulous. Andrew did incredible work coordinating the installation of the cabinet handles by phone and text in my absence. Everyone else, Jack, Christine and others, were a pleasure...

Started with high hopes but they didn't last very long.

Was initially encouraged with the apparent quality of their cabinets and their strong warranty, but the shine wore off quickly. There were many issues with working with Guilin but I will touch only on the highlights. First, they presented a highly front-loaded payment schedule that was in violation of the California Contractors State License Board Business and Professions Code. I was however able to replace it with a more appropriate payment schedule for the signed contract. Then, on the day of the measurement visit, they notified me of a change in warranty terms, even though the contract was already signed at that point. I reluctantly agreed to this one, but later they tried to make another change to the warranty terms, which I told them I would not agree to.

Meanwhile it took three revisions of the plan drawings to accurately reflect the detailed design that I had provided to them at the very start. I had to spend considerable time reviewing the drawings and correcting their errors and omissions. After the third revision I asked for a small design change. At that point they falsely attributed all the drawing revisions to going back and forth on design changes I had requested. When I proved to them that they were due to their own errors and not to any design changes, they accepted no responsibility whatsoever for the revisions, and just responded that I wasn't very happy with their work and wanted to cancel the contract, which I gladly allowed them to do.

There were many other issues that I haven't gotten into here. For example, once the drawings were finally accurate, I asked for their designer to tell me how much backsplash tile I needed. They responded that the designer doesn't provide tile measurements, only cabinet measurements.

So, if you are thinking of having anything to do with Guilin, my warnings are: Watch out for their inappropriate payment schedule Watch out for changes to contract terms after the contract has been signed You will have to spend a lot of time checking their design drawings for errors, because catching errors later down the road would be extremely painful. You will need infinite patience communicating with their sales personnel. I suggest paying attention to previous reviewers' comments about this, they are unfortunately true. I actually had to request a change in point-of-contact midway through the design phase due to the frustrating nature of their communication. Lastly, do not expect a professionally run organization and do not expect any degree of customer service - customer satisfaction is definitely nowhere near the top of their...

October 9, 2023

I am thrilled to wholeheartedly recommend Guilin Cabinets to anyone embarking on a major remodel project. The decision to begin such a venture can often be daunting, akin to taking a leap off a cliff. However, thanks to the remarkable team at Guilin Cabinets, particularly Denis D. and Billy S., my entire remodeling experience was nothing short of exceptional.

From the outset, Denis and Billy displayed unwavering support and extraordinary patience throughout the entire journey. They dedicated the time necessary to establish my trust, and their commitment to my project was truly commendable. What stood out the most was their willingness to engage with me at every stage of the project. They not only offered invaluable suggestions but also took the time to actively listen to my concerns and preferences.

Their advice was rooted in their extensive experience, yet they never imposed their views on me. Instead, they empowered me to make choices that aligned with my personal taste and how I envisioned using my new home.

As the project commenced, the punctuality and professionalism of every trade involved were impeccable. Billy, serving as the project manager, kept me informed about each step's timing, ensuring a seamless workflow. What truly set him apart was his immediate responsiveness whenever questions or concerns surfaced.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Guilin Cabinets is the exceptional quality of their cabinets. These cabinets far surpass what most Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) options offer. Moreover, Guilin Cabinets provided customized options that were essential due to the unique footprint of my space. Each specialty customization was accurately bid, and there were no surprises in the end result. The remodel seamlessly integrated with my home's existing design, making it appear as if it were originally built this way. Additionally, Guilin Cabinets offers a generous 10-year warranty on both their products and installation.

Guilin Cabinets and their exceptional team turned my dream home into a reality. Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction make them the top choice for anyone seeking a remodeling partner. I wholeheartedly endorse Guilin Cabinets for a truly exceptional remodeling experience. They are the only call I need to make when I'm ready to tackle other renovation projects, such as the bathrooms.

In summary, Guilin Cabinets is a team of professionals who excel in their craft, delivering outstanding results while prioritizing customer satisfaction. If you're looking for a partner in your remodeling journey, look no further than...