Cabinet Couture

Suzi Howard lends a woman's touch to cabinetry and cutting-edge custom design

Written by Brettan Bablove

“It’s really been fun; an event to say the least,” Suzi Howard, owner of Cabinets by Suzi, says, her gentle voice and demeanor belying just how tough she is. And Howard is just that, tough enough to foray into the manufacturing and contracting industry without a minute’s experience, just a desire to provide better service than the next guy. Or gal.

“Prior to cabinet manufacturing, I was a model,” says Howard. “I was married to a general contractor, and we couldn’t find a cabinet company that would deliver on time. Cabinet manufacturers are notoriously late. It was the late 80s, and the attitude was, ‘I am woman, I can conquer the world.’ So I started a cabinet company.” Howard moved forward fearlessly, even as the economy plummeted and many friends and family members urged her to close the doors and walk away.

“I hung on, I don’t know if it was out of stubbornness or stupidity or a little bit of both,” she says. “I just jumped in with both feet and hung on by my fingernails. And, eventually, people knew the name and I started getting nice contracts.”

These days, Cabinets by Suzi enjoys a loyal and growing following in the Valley, offering residential construction and remodeling: kitchens, entertainment centers, libraries, bathrooms, laundry rooms and more. All designs are completely customized, and Howard takes immense pride in the fact that her jobs finish on schedule, as promised. “We’ve learned to judge our production time, and I’ll turn down work [if the timeline isn’t right].”

And while custom design delivered on time is nearly unheard of, that’s not the only factor that has helped set Cabinets by Suzi apart. Clients love to work with a woman (a complete 180 from her experiences a decade ago, Howard explains).

“It is definitely a man’s industry. In the beginning, I really had to deal with a lot of chauvinistic ideas, in the field and in the builders’ office,” she says.

“But now, people ask, ‘Do I really get to deal with a woman? Is there really a Suzi?’” Howard says with a laugh. “They feel, ‘A woman will really understand my kitchen.’”

Against heavy odds, Howard is now in her 19th year in cabinet manufacturing and is a CKD, Certified Kitchen Designer. She also credits her team, many of whom have been with her since day one. Whether tackling a $300,000 project or a $10,000 kitchen remodel, Howard brings honesty and quality to the industry, along with just the right amount of woman’s touch.

Design your dream by calling 602.278.4994, emailing cabinetsbysuzi@yahoo.com, or stopping in to Cabinets by Suzi at 2801 N. 37th Avenue in Phoenix

SIDEBAR

Finding the perfect contractor can be trying, not to mention intimidating. Suzi Howard offers her expert advice.

What are the important things to look for in a contractor?
Check with the registrar of contractors. “Look into complaints against them, whether they were dropped or resolved,” says Howard.

Interview each contractor yourself. “Choose someone whose personality works with yours—especially if it’s a remodel—because you’ll be having coffee with them every morning. You want someone who understands your style and listen to your needs.”

What is the best way to go about getting a bid?
“Ask for referrals—names and numbers of people they’ve done work for,” says Howard. “They should be proud of it. It should not be a secret.”

Consider quality and reputation over price. “The lowest price is not always the best work.”

How can someone prevent being taken advantage of?
“I have heard of people using a late clause, a charge per day for being late of $100 to $200. At some point, you should consider a project manager, depending on the size of the project. Again, you should have a good personality-relationship with them. They’ll be in your home every day. It should be someone you like and trust.”

What do you believe makes for great service?
“Not to avoid the issue … I think there will always be problems on a construction job—it’s inevitable. It’s how you address those problems that determines whether you have a good reputation and are successful. This is a small town and word gets around.”