We've all been there: scrolling Facebook and in our town's group page, someone has posted a question asking for recommendations on local contractors for a remodeling project. The question can yield dozens of suggestions, most of which are for good, reputable people. But when Steve Matteo sees this, he wants to know more.

"I see the names for contractors who can do the work, but who is getting the materials? Who is designing the space? Is the homeowner running around Home Depot trying to put it all together? Who has time for that?" he says.

This is when the value of a one-stop shop is realized. "When people come here, it's like a breath of fresh air," says Matteo, whose family-owned company has been serving our area since 1995.

Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring was founded by Everett and Elaine Matteo, along with sons Steve and Tom. Prior to starting the company, Everett had 32 years of experience in kitchen and bathroom remodeling. The family venture encompasses nearly every aspect of a project, from the ideas and design phase, to choosing the cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures and other finishing touches.

"We can even help with the paint color for the walls," says Matteo, showing that no detail is overlooked. "We're designers and we're helping you every step of the way. It's not a box store where you're walking around on your own. We'll pull products and options and colors you wouldn't have thought to consider. We take all the worry out of it, and when customers leave our showroom, you can see the relief on their face."

Matteo Family's ability to take the stress out of the process is even more appreciated during the whirlwind created by the events that began in early 2020. "No one knew what to expect when things first happened. The initial challenges were figuring out how to work in people's homes. Supply issues weren't a concern yet," says Matteo. "Now it's about understanding expectations but the upside of it is that we have time to let ideas breathe. Not everything has to be decided in one day."

Homeowners should be wary of any company that tries to pressure them into buying or booking a project to start immediately, and others who are marking up prices just because they can.

Matteo doesn't want to rush any aspect of a remodeling project. "It's been nice to take our time with customers. If they come in on a Saturday, we can focus on the design and maybe the cabinets and countertops. Then two weeks later we can do the flooring. This way people can go home and sit with the ideas and it prevents buyer's remorse," he says. "You want to put your trust in someone who takes their time."

Another quality that the Matteo team brings to the table is honesty. No matter what design a customer brings in from Pinterest, functionality will always take precedence. "We're honest about what will work and what won't. If they want something quirky but it means the fridge won't open all the way, we'll tell them. This knowledge comes from the fixes we've had to make. Those never leave you, so we will come up with a design that's as close to what you want, but takes function into consideration first, and then we'll see where we can add the unique elements," Matteo says.

The highly skilled designers on staff have the ability to suggest products for a range of tastes and budgets, from cabinets at a flipper-friendly price point all the way to the most ornate, customized to fit anyone's style.

Backlogs in products and labor are real, but Matteo has made moves to invest in the materials they know can be shipped in a timely manner, including products from cabinet suppliers KraftMaid and Schrock, and vinyl plank flooring manufacturer Shaw. As customers go through the various stages of their project with Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring, the team can guide them toward products that are more readily available than others.

Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring's showroom is currently open by appointment only, which Matteo says guarantees no distractions during a customer's consultation. "We set aside two hours with you to go through every aspect without any interruptions, and it really helps us understand your goals," he says. "But most importantly, it alleviates any stress on the customer."

Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring
20 Old Salem Road
Woodstown
(856) 769-2490
MatteoKitchens.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 22, Issue 5 (March 2022). 
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