Daryl Holcomb knows the value of building strong, dependable relationships with customers. It's a big part of how Holcomb Cabinetry has established itself as the go-to kitchen and bathroom design and supply company in the region.

"When customers stop by our showroom, we want to get to know them. We want them to get to know us," Holcomb, general manager of the business, says. "We want them to get a feel for what we have and what we can do."

Holcomb Cabinetry opened in 1985 as a framing and windows company, moving into the kitchen business six years later. And today, 40 years since opening, it is still family-run, which Holcomb says is a huge benefit to the community.

"My father likes to say he's retired—he's not. He still works about three days a week. And my job is completely flexible—I connect all the dots in between the things that happen," Holcomb says.

That means customers have his cell phone number and can call any time. Being a small family business also means when a meeting needs to take place, it's almost instantaneous. "We're hands-on, right away," Holcomb says. "Our customers get to know us personally."

Meeting customer needs
As an independent dealer, customers will find better pricing at Holcomb Cabinetry compared with what they would find at big-box stores. The company also carries the high end line of quality brands, such as Wood-Mode and Kraftmaid Vantage, versus the standard lines available at the national retailers.

"That's because our breakage rates are so low," Holcomb explains. "As an independent dealer, we get special privileges from our manufacturers because of our efficiency level."

There is a range of price points, and each sale is tailored to a customer's specific needs, whether that's renovating a new kitchen in a forever home or installing new cabinetry in a starter home. (Plus, there is no state or local sales tax in Delaware, saving out-of-state shoppers a solid percentage on their purchase.)

"We work around what the customer is looking for," Holcomb says.

The company's impressive showroom—a 5,000 square foot space in Claymont, Delaware—is stocked with seemingly endless options to showcase and immerse the customer in the experience the company can bring to a home.

"The No. 1 thing that people comment on when they come into our showroom is the visuals. They get to see full functioning kitchens," Holcomb says.

In addition to the dozen full kitchens and upwards of a half dozen bathroom vanities on display, there are "thousands and thousands of samples," Holcomb continues. There are a variety of colors on display as well, and if there is a color a customer wants that they can't find, it can be ordered.

Expert service
Everyone who works at Holcomb Cabinetry has at least 10 years of on-site experience, and designers all boast 20 years of experience or more. This combined expertise helps the team build relationships with customers.

"We're dealing with people's homes. While we are typically selling them products, that's not the be-all and end-all of what we do. Our customers are dealing with a process that they're not familiar with and they're spending a lot of money," Holcomb explains. "From the very beginning you have to create an environment where they trust you as well as appreciate your experience in the industry."

Holcomb Cabinetry has a "quick, three-step process" to make customers comfortable. The first stop is typically the showroom, where everyone can get to know one another as customers peruse the company's products. Next up is a visit to the house to take measurements and discuss the project more in depth. Third, there is a free virtual design, from multiple perspectives, to show what the space will look like.

While some customers have their own contractor in mind for their projects, many do not, and Holcomb Cabinetry keeps a list of reputable contractors to recommend. They do not get any kick-backs or benefits from giving work to a contractor.
"There's no fear that we're going to do anything other than help that customer the best we can," Holcomb says.
Additionally, the Holcomb staff members all have experience as installation managers—a boon, Holcomb explains, when it comes to design.

"If nobody has any practical experience in the field, they don't know how a design will be implemented," he says. "You can have design flaws that don't work in the field, and that wouldn't be picked up by someone without installation experience. It comes back to trust."

While Holcomb Cabinetry is expert at outfitting entire kitchens with the latest and greatest, they don't only cater to large jobs. From the smallest need to complete overhauls, Holcomb encourages customers to stop in the showroom to see what they're all about.

"You can come in and get a piece of moulding, we can build you a full house and we can do everything in between," he says.

Holcomb Cabinetry
Claymont, Del.
(302) 478-5000
HolcombCabinetry.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 7 (September/October 2025)
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