FAQs
Planning & Design
All of our work is customised to match your needs, space, and budget. Whether it’s a full kitchen, new benchtops, bathroom, laundry or wardrobe/storage units, with modern technology it costs no more to build a customised unit than it does a standard sized one. We don’t believe you should have to ‘make do’ with standard units.
Yes, it’s not always necessary to begin with (there is a small charge for out of town visits) but we can come and discuss your design and conduct a measure up. It is often easier for you if we discuss options and design in our showroom where we can show you working examples of different units, styles, and colours. We always conduct a confirmation site measure prior to putting your kitchen joinery into production.
For cabinets, the most common finish is low pressure laminate commonly called Melamine or Melteca. We also have a range of vinyl wrap or thermoform finishes available. Of course there is also lacquer paint, which comes in two different standards. The most common of these are two-pot lacquer or urethane lacquer, which is more durable but costs a little more.
The most common and usually most economic finish is high pressure laminate (often called Formica) which is available in a wide range of colours. There is also a growing range of ‘solid surface’ materials which includes man-made engineered stone. These can be fabricated to a range of thicknesses as is the case with natural granite or solid wood for a warm and natural look. As an alternative, there are also ranges of acrylic which can have advantages as joints are virtually invisible. Whatever material you choose, make sure that you discuss your needs and preferences with your consultant as not all materials are created equal when it comes to quality and durability, and prices can vary enormously as a result.
Manufacturing
Our cabinetry is manufactured in our Hamilton and Mt. Maunganui factories and we use New Zealand made moisture resistant board as standard. Our hardware is imported (mainly from Europe) as there aren’t any New Zealand based manufacturers of hinges or drawer runners. You’re welcome to call into our showroom and factory and have a look to see how and where your new joinery will be built.
Our normal delivery time is four weeks from order confirmation; however, our aim is to fit in with your schedule. It mostly depends on the availability of your chosen materials and kitchen benchtop. Selecting a lacquer paint finish will add two to four weeks depending on the type of paint chosen. Some kitchen benchtops (for example, solid surface and granite) can’t be manufactured until the kitchen is installed, which could add a further two weeks.
The business was originally started in Hamilton in 1922 as ‘Smith and Clarke’ but started trading under the brand name ‘Hostess’ in 1965. There have been several ownership changes over the years but the philosophy has stayed the same. Our aim is to provide our customers with quality and value combined with design customised to their needs. This has ensured that the business has continued successfully, with many customers now having purchased several Hostess kitchens.
Delivery & Installation
Yes, we can handle the whole project for you. If required, we can also arrange for the removal of existing cabinetry or kitchen benchtops and co-ordinate with plumbers and electricians to make the whole process as easy as possible for you.
We take great pride in our work and provide a 10 year guarantee on all of our cabinetry. This is transferable between owners should you sell your house. In addition, we only use the highest quality European hardware, so our hinges and drawer runners are covered by extensive manufacturers warranties.
We can supply appliances but, we have also arranged for our clients to have access to commercial discount rates from local specialist appliance stores so you can get the benefit of their expertise and our commercial buying prices. The choice is yours.
We are a member of the Master Joiners Federation, the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bathroom Association) both of which are involved in promoting training and quality within our industry. The Master Joiners Federation also provides an arbitration service with an independent experienced joiner to review workmanship if necessary.
