Madera Design & Construction

Earlier this year we asked Dennis to custom build and install a full wall of cabinetry in our main bedroom. Of course we were nervous about having someone we had no history with design the vision we had in mind. By the time Dennis had finished the project we were extremely pleased with the final result. Even now, months later, I look at the craftsmanship and marvel at how exacting the cabinetry work is. We would highly recommend Madera Designs and Construction, hence the 5 stars.

I hired Dennis Montalto of Madera after a lot of online research. The challenge in our modern style condo was to build cabinets under the stairs and in an entry hallway. Dennis fulfilled the requirements with excellence in every respect.
I had prepared good measurements and conceptual drawings in advance. But I suspected that I had not adequately discovered all the challenges that would be revealed. So I wanted a vendor that could address those particular issues as needed. I also wanted a vendor who would respect my concept, yet suggest improvements. Finally, I wanted to get my money’s worth. I knew that my concept might be closer to a high end amount, but I didn’t want any last minute annoying «cost surprises». I was willing to pay a reasonable premium for customized quality and peace of mind, but I wanted the price to «not go astray.»
If your project requires extra care, creativity from the vendor, and a «no unfortunate surprises» approach, then I can heartily recommend Dennis for your cabinet projects.
In particular, I have praise for Dennis for:
— Helping me avoid a costly lighting feature that I really didn’t need
— Suggesting specific finish and drawer mechanisms that delivered the best value mix for our situation
— Working to not exceed my budget
— Solving small but critical design issues along the way
A few tips for working with a vendor:
— Start by making your own measurements and conceptual drawings
— Establish a maximum budget and be prepared to spend all of it to get the quality you can afford. Cabinets can be investments on the scale of a used car, so prepare yourself. Done well, a cabinet project can add huge practical value to your property. So it’s worth it to invest in a quality approach.
— Gather a couple of estimates based on your drawings. Use the estimates to understand your prospective vendors’ approaches, strengths and weaknesses.
— Look for technical and creative suggestions from the vendor; if they are sensitive to your concept and conditions, they’ll be able to solve issues you did not anticipate and perhaps save you from your own dubious inclinations.
Dennis met all the above criteria, plus with a smile and enthusiasm to tackle my small, but interesting project. Highly recommended.

Working with our architect, Dennis and Dale of Madera Design & Construction built a custom-​designed wood cabinets for our Russian Hill condo. There were countless problems and delays on the project — none of them the fault of Madera Design — and yet they stuck with the project, cheerful in facing all those obstacles, and in the end the result is nothing short of spectacular. These guys are pros, and artists in the true sense of the word: They painstakingly matched grains, all the pieces fit together perfectly, and the result is a real masterpiece. To top that off, their price was fair and they were a pleasure to work with. Plus, Dennis and Dale didn’t complain when they had to come back to perform touch up once the construction of the project was done. Ten stars, if there were such a thing. I couldn’t be happier.

Dennis Montalto (Madera Design and Construction) worked cheerfully with my amateur drawings and pointed out pitfalls in my design. He executed to-​the-​ceiling, elegant, cabinets for my Victorian kitchen with impeccable craftsmanship. When my paint job was lacking, he tactfully suggested a master painter to get the job done with hard finish spray paint. The results were fabulous. He is friendly and professional, meets his deadlines and is forthright about costs. Although the job lasted over a month and changes were made as needed, there were no surprises when it came time to pay the bill. I recommend him without reservation.
Karen Crommie, San Francisco

There’s no greater review than repeat business. Dennis built some bookshelves for us at our old place. When we moved into our new home, we had him build shelves and cabinets for our living room. He brings great ideas without ever overpowering your original intent. And he thinks things through and catches problems before they’re problems. Great work from a great guy.

Dennis is an expert craftsman with a keen sense of design. I enjoyed working and collaborating with him, and he was able to problem-​solve on the fly so that our schedule was not impacted. And he is also reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of his work and the customization available to you, versus manufactured cabinetry. He did all of our cabinetry (kitchen, 2 baths, plus built-​ins) in our extensive remodel, and we have been very pleased with the work! His finisher is also amazing and can create exactly the «look» that you want on the exterior.