German kitchens come from a variety of brands, of which all have these 5 things in common. And it is in these 5 reasons that many consumers find themselves resistant to putting a German kitchen in their home.
1. Price Premium
German kitchens are know for coming in at a premium price point. But are they worth it?
Well, the question is “are they worth it to you?”
When it comes to kitchens, Germany is known for their precision engineering, technology, and luxury. You know you're going to get an amazing kitchen every time. What you ought to consider is “what is my dream outcome for a kitchen?”
If you've had a German kitchen before, then the bar has been set and you'll never live without one no matter how many times you decide to move.
If you've never had one, then a trip to a German kitchen showroom would be all one needs to experience your dream kitchen on steroids. These aren't your grandmas paint-grade face frame shaker cabinets. These are pieces of art designed to function beyond anything you've ever experienced.
If you value “luxury in motion” then German kitchens are absolutely worth it. If you don't mind living with locally made cabinets with a little bit of overspray on your hinges and minimal technology, then they're not. Which isn't a bad thing. It's simply what you value.
2. Minimal Level of Engagement
German kitchen companies have a minimum level of engagement. Essentially, they're not going to solve your problems without you first becoming a client. Similar to a doctor giving a prescription without diagnosis would be liable for malpractice, so is the world of German kitchens.
The diagnostics are important, especially when you're working with a German kitchen supplier. They specialize in optimizing spaces to the millimeter. Every space is unique, akin to a “patient” in the example above. And in order to prescribe the best solution for your project you will be required to become a client.
What does this level of engagement look like?
It's simple…
Assuming that you believe in the value of German kitchens, the next step is to pay for your project retainer. A typical retainer can range from $3,500 to $5,000 on average. When we're working with clients building custom homes, usually around 10,000 to 20,000 sqft, our minimal level of engagement is $250,000 with a project retainer of 10% ($25,000).
Why?
When you're considering a German kitchen, you will learn very quickly that working with a firm like ours comes with some unique skill sets that your local mom & pop cabinet shop will never be able to provide.
Our teams are equipped with architects, engineers, & designers which means you're going to get a kitchen that is optimally engineered and designed for your specific space.
3. Lead Times
German kitchens typically have longer lead times, mainly because of the shipping time. When shipping to the US, for example, you could experience shipping times of 3-5 weeks all depending on the port closest to you. The west cost takes 5 weeks, while the east coast takes approx 3 weeks.
This can be expedited for certain clients that need their products shipped via air freight, which would have you kitchen delivered in about a week.
The second factor that drives lead time is the level of kitchen you've purchased. If you're purchasing a luxury kitchen like that of our BT45 collection then your lead time is approx 24 weeks. If you're purchasing kitchens from our Bauformat line, then you're looking at 12 weeks.
The difference?
The procurement process and level of engineering required.
To give you an idea, we sell about 200 BT45 kitchens a year. While our Bauformat kitchens move at a rate of 1,000 kitchens a day. BT45 is an elite level of experience that has a detailed procurement and engineering process which requires a much longer lead time.
No matter the kitchen system you purchase, German kitchens are worth the wait…
4. The Metric System
This point is funny to us, but to some builders, especially in the US, it drives them crazy!
With German kitchens being, obviously, made in Germany, they run on the metric system. Sure, we provide conversion in our CAD drawings, but for some builders it's a turn off.
And if you're planning on hiring an installer that isn't one of our certified installers, and you tell them the finished depth of your base cabinets is 650mm, they're going to look at you like you're speaking a foreign language…
Because you are!
Measurements are measurements, no matter the unit. But metric allows for far more precise positioning and design of your kitchen. For us, the details matter. Being off by 2mm (1/16″) needs to be fixed. This are the small things that most homeowners will never notice, but we do.
And when it comes to executing on a German kitchen, that 2mm makes a world of difference.
If you play golf, you'll understand that 2mm of change in position can be the difference between you driving onto the fairway, or driving onto the wrong hole next to you.
5. Warranties Don't Matter
For some people, warranties don't matter…
Until you need it.
German kitchens like ours come backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Have a hinge that malfunctions 10 years after purchase, we'll replace it. Drawer slide jammed and not soft closing anymore after 15 years, we'll replace it. And with us being in business for over 100 years, you can rest assured that we aren't going anywhere.
Our customers mean everything to us. They're family. And it's a family that we are proud to take care of, whenever they need us.
Ready to get started on your German kitchen? Visit our concierge form and someone from our team will reach out to you to discuss next steps.
