Expert: Todd Wood

Expertise: Owner of Wood Kitchen and Bath LLC

Owner of Wood Kitchen and Bath LLC, which specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations using only the highest quality products and outstanding craftsmanship. Todd and his wife Monica, who is office manager, are proud of their second-generation family business that has served homeowners in Lake, Sumter, Citrus and Marion counties since 2018. 

Q: What sets Wood Kitchen and Bath LLC apart from the competition?

A: We have five design professionals that have a combined 90 years of experience in the field. We have years of straight 5-star business reviews because we set high standards and adhere to them. In addition to selling hand-selected, high-quality product lines, we show up on time and keep our customers informed throughout the entire remodel process.  

We’re a one-stop shop for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. We cover the design, ordering and installation of all tile, cabinetry, counter tops, drywall, and painting. Legally, we can’t do plumbing or electric, but for these aspects of the job we work with trusted trade partners, all of which are vetted, licensed and insured.

We handle everything from start to finish and assign a project coordinator for every job. Our full-time project coordinator is in the field every day double checking that the tradesmen are doing what needs to be done and inspecting that work is completed to our standards to keep things moving on schedule.

Word of mouth from previous customers and our 5-star Google reviews are how we get 85 percent of our work. The other 15 percent are repeat customers coming back to have another project done.

Q: What should I consider when looking into a kitchen or bathroom remodel?

A: #1 What is your budget? #2 What do you not like about your current kitchen or bathroom? #3 What conveniences are you missing now that you’d like to incorporate in a remodel?

 We recommend people come into the showroom, which is set up with many features so we can show customers the function and convenience of different items. Each wood species has a different finish, and different colors are also available. There are literally thousands of choices when it comes to colors, wood species and cabinet door styles.

When you come into our showroom and talk with our design experts, we provide a free design. You can view the 20/20 CAD design on our showroom’s big screen TV, so you’ll see every feature of what your new kitchen or bathroom can look like. This design and estimate are free, making it easy to choose a design that fits your lifestyle.

We encourage people to visit our website to look at projects and our 5-star reviews. Then call to schedule an appointment to see us at the showroom where you’ll have our undivided attention.

Q: What are the most popular kitchen design trends homeowners are asking for right now? 

A: In The Villages specifically, homeowners are getting rid of raised bar tops and batwing walls to have a more open concept and spacious feel. They’re putting in larger rectangular islands to add functionality and storage space.

Mixing paint and wood finishes is also popular, such as combining wood cabinets with a painted island. Kitchens aren’t just one color anymore. Light-toned woods are making a big comeback. White kitchens aren’t going away, but instead of bright whites, we’re seeing softer, more creamy “antique” whites. Blues are also big now.

Q: How do you protect a shower long-term against water and mold issues? 

A: About 35 percent of the bathrooms we remodel are due to mold and water penetration due to improper installation. We’ve done hundreds of bathrooms that are water damaged because of improperly installed showers. The bathroom is the fastest-deteriorating room in any home, which is why it’s so important to use the right products.

We only use Schluter®-KERDI Shower System, which eliminates the potential for leakage, efflorescence, and mold growth in your showers, and can give up to a lifetime warranty when installed by a licensed professional.   

Q: What timelines should homeowners expect?

A: For kitchen remodels, it’s typically 5 to 6 weeks from signing the contract to the start of the job. All cabinets are custom orders, which allows us to customize the cabinets to your space and give you exactly what you’re looking for. We do not carry stock cabinets. Your cabinets have to be ordered, manufactured and shipped to us. We don’t start a job until we have your cabinet order in stock.

Once we start on a kitchen job, it’s usually 4 to 5 weeks until the remodel is complete. For bathroom remodels, it’s typically just 4 to 6 days from start to completion, depending on the scale of the job.