Irwin Construction Kitchen and Bath provides a complete range of kitchen and bathroom remodeling services for residential clients in Santa Clara County. The company handles every phase of its customers' remodeling projects, including cabinets, electrical, plumbing, drywall, painting, custom tile, granite, lighting, carpentry, trim, baseboards and crown molding. In 2021, it received the Best General Contractor in Gilroy Award from the Gilroy Dispatch.
Owner Charles Irwin says his hands-on approach to remodeling has been an important aspect of Irwin Construction Kitchen and Bath's success. "I've always liked creating things with my hands. At the end of the day, every job I do is someone's dream, so I make sure to utilize all my skills and experience to make that dream come true for them. I chose this line of work because this is where my passion is."
Irwin Construction Kitchen and Bath communicates with its clients throughout every phase of the remodeling process so they know what to expect. "I'm straightforward with my customers—I take the time to explain things in a relatable manner," says Mr. Irwin. "By listening closely to what my customers want, I'm able to design and remodel homes that are functional and affordable."
“My clients are very important to me, so I always put their needs first and treat their homes with the utmost respect. My goals on every project are simple: provide the client with a good value for their investment and make sure they have a positive experience.”
Three tips for buying and installing cabinetry.
In your eagerness to use your new kitchen, you may be tempted to rush through the process of choosing cabinetry. After all, cabinets are cabinets, right? Not so fast. According to Charles Irwin, owner of Irwin Construction in Gilroy, there are a few decisions you should take seriously when choosing and installing cabinetry.
Pay attention to layout. First, think about how many cabinets you need and where you want them installed. “You need to lay out your kitchen properly to get the best results,” says Mr. Irwin. He suggests hiring a contractor that will lay out your kitchen and provide plans for you to approve before ordering materials. “Your contractor should be willing to work with you to incorporate what you want and need into your kitchen so you get a functional, workable space.”
Invest in quality cabinets. Cabinet materials vary widely in quality and price. Cheaper cabinets are often made of pressed wood, which can swell and warp in bathrooms and other high-moisture areas. Solid wood cabinets are more expensive, but they come in different price points that fit a variety of budgets and provide a lifetime of use.
Many budget-conscious homeowners are surprised to learn that custom cabinets can be less expensive than prefabricated choices. “If your kitchen ceiling isn’t a standard height, even prefabricated cabinets will have to be specially made,” explains Mr. Irwin. “In those cases, you may be better off buying custom cabinets that are built for your home.”
Choose the right finish. The finish you choose can completely change the way your cabinets look and function, so make sure you consider how you’ll use them in addition to how you want them to look. “All cabinets get scratched and banged up, so think about the ease of cleaning and repairs,” offers Mr. Irwin. “A clear finish with no stain is the easiest to repair if it gets scratched or dinged. Stained cabinets are a bit more difficult to repair. Paint grade cabinets require you to repaint the whole cabinet to cover scratches or damage, which can get expensive.”
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it's even more important for cabinet contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Irwin Construction, the best way to keep customers happy is to adhere to high standards of quality throughout every aspect of its operations. "My standards are higher than those of other contractors, and that works in my clients' favor," says owner Charles Irwin. "Only perfect is good enough for them."
Irwin Construction has been remodeling kitchens and bathrooms for residential clients in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties since 2006. The company has the in-house capabilities to handle every phase of its customers' remodeling projects, including cabinets, electrical, plumbing, drywall, painting, custom tile, granite, lighting, foundation, carpentry, trim, baseboard, crown molding and roofing. "I can also build room additions and decks," adds Mr. Irwin.
Unlike contracting firms whose owners put less experienced employees in charge of project management, Irwin Construction provides every job with the hands-on expertise of Mr. Irwin himself. "I don't just visit a jobsite at the beginning and end–I'm there throughout the entire process, swinging a hammer and making sure my clients get exactly what they want," he affirms. "They really appreciate how hands-on I am when it comes to planning and executing their projects."
To further differentiate itself from its competition, Irwin Construction provides each project with a firm time estimate and then does everything in its power to stick to that schedule. "I don't have to guess when it comes to determining how long a job will take–I use a flowchart so everyone knows exactly what's going on," explains Mr. Irwin. "That way, I can plan an entire job with no overlaps or gaps between the work, which keeps my timelines tight."
