A single custom kitchen and a 24-unit townhome development need very different things from a cabinet supplier.
With one home, the priority is getting every detail right for one family. With a development, the priority is getting the same details right twenty or two hundred times, on budget, on schedule and in a way that still helps the units sell or lease.
Foscari Interiors has supplied European cabinetry to Houston builders and developers since 2007. Alongside our custom kitchens, we offer product lines, pricing and a project process built specifically for multi-unit work. This article explains how that works.
What Multi-Unit Buyers Expect From Cabinetry
Buyers and renters in Houston’s newer townhome and condo communities increasingly expect a kitchen that looks contemporary: flat-panel doors, clean lines, integrated storage and finishes that photograph well in a listing.
For a developer, the challenge is delivering that look across every unit without custom-kitchen pricing or custom-kitchen complexity. The cabinetry has to be:
- Priced per unit so it fits the pro forma
- Repeatable, so one approved design can be rolled out across unit types
- Durable enough for owners, tenants and turnover
- Delivered on a predictable schedule that matches construction phases
- Distinctive enough to set the project apart from competing developments
Product Lines Designed for Multi-Unit Work
Not every cabinet line suits a development. Foscari carries lines and models specifically intended for multi-residential and builder projects, with modulation, finishes and pricing adapted to repeated installations.
Johnson, an Argentinian-made line, is frequently specified for this work:
| Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Made in | Argentina |
| Typical use | Kitchens and closets |
| Pricing | Low-end to mid-end, with multi-unit pricing |
| Standard finishes | 50+ |
| Custom lacquer | Available on request |
| Lead time | 12–16 weeks |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Artcraft, a Canadian family-run manufacturer of European-style cabinetry, is another option for builder projects that need a broader range of styles, from ultra-modern to traditional.
Johnson gives developers a genuinely European, frameless look at a price point that works across many units. For premium units, penthouses or a model home, the same project can step up to TM Italia, our Italian made-to-measure line with more than 1,500 standard finishes, while keeping a consistent design language across the building.
Kitchens Are Only Part of the Package
Multi-unit cabinetry rarely stops at the kitchen. A typical townhome or condo package can include:
- Kitchen cabinetry and islands
- Bathroom vanities for primary and secondary baths
- Closet systems and wardrobes
- Laundry cabinetry
- Built-ins for living areas or home offices
Specifying all of these through one supplier keeps finishes consistent from room to room and gives the builder one point of contact for ordering, delivery and installation. Foscari can also coordinate countertops, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures and tile, which further reduces the number of vendors on a project.
One Design, Many Units
The efficiency of a multi-unit project comes from standardization. We typically work with the developer and architect to:
- Define the unit types and their kitchen, bath and closet layouts.
- Design a cabinet package for each type, using modules that repeat efficiently.
- Select a finish scheme, or two or three schemes buyers can choose from, without creating a custom order for every unit.
- Identify upgrade options, such as a different finish, an expanded island or premium closet interiors, that can be offered to buyers at a defined price.
- Lock the package so ordering, production and installation can be repeated with confidence.
Offering a small number of curated finish schemes is one of the most effective ways to give buyers a sense of choice while keeping the project manageable.
Documentation the Construction Team Can Build From
Our in-house architects and designers produce plans, elevations, 3D renderings and schedules for each unit type. On multi-unit work, this documentation does two jobs.
First, it helps the developer and sales team visualize and market the units before they are built. Renderings can be used in sales materials while construction is still underway.
Second, it gives the builder and trades a clear reference for rough-in locations, appliance dimensions, countertop templates and installation. Clear drawings reduce field questions, change orders and delays across dozens of units. You can see what this documentation typically includes in our article on the design documents produced during the cabinetry design process.
Planning Around the Construction Schedule
Cabinets for multi-unit projects are produced overseas and shipped to Houston, so timing matters. Our project coordination includes planning costs, schedules, the critical path, installation and container arrivals so cabinetry is ready when each phase of the building is.
Practical points for developers:
- Lead times are typically 12–16 weeks for Johnson and 12–18 weeks for TM Italia, depending on specifications. Ordering has to be planned against framing, drywall and finish schedules.
- Phased deliveries can be planned for projects built in stages, so cabinets are not stored on site for long periods.
- Delivery is available locally across Greater Houston, and we coordinate out-of-town and international deliveries for builders working in other markets.
- Orders are final once released to production, because every order is made for the project. Approving drawings carefully before release protects the schedule and budget.
Builders who have worked with us on single custom homes will recognize much of this. Our article on why Houston builders partner with Foscari Interiors covers the builder relationship in more detail.
Installation and Warranty
Foscari’s service runs from design through installation. On a multi-unit project, consistent installation is what makes the twentieth unit look like the first, with aligned reveals, level runs and correctly adjusted hardware throughout.
After installation, cabinetry is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty: five years for Johnson, and up to ten years on some lines depending on the manufacturer. For developers, that warranty support carries through to owners after units are sold.
Beyond Residential: Commercial and Medical Spaces
The same approach applies outside multi-family housing. Foscari has also supplied cabinetry for commercial and medical spaces, where repeatable layouts, durable finishes and coordinated delivery are equally important. If your project falls outside a typical residential scope, our team can help determine which product line suits it.
Starting a Multi-Unit Project With Foscari
The earlier cabinetry is involved, the easier it is to control cost and schedule. Ideally, we begin while unit plans are still being finalized, so cabinet modules, appliance sizes and plumbing locations can be coordinated before construction drawings are complete.
To start, it helps to have:
- Unit plans or architectural drawings, even if preliminary
- The number of units of each type
- A target budget per unit
- The construction schedule and expected phases
- The finish direction or target buyer
From there, we can recommend a product line, prepare a design package for each unit type and provide multi-unit pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Foscari Interiors offer multi-unit pricing?
Yes. Foscari carries cabinet lines and models designed for multi-residential and builder projects, with modulation, finishes and pricing adapted for repeated installations.
Which cabinet lines are best for townhomes and apartments?
Johnson is frequently used for multi-unit work because it combines a European, frameless look with low-end to mid-end pricing, 50+ standard finishes and multi-unit pricing. Artcraft offers a wider range of styles, and TM Italia can be used for premium units within the same project.
How long do cabinets take for a multi-unit project?
Typical lead times are 12–16 weeks for Johnson and 12–18 weeks for TM Italia, depending on specifications. Deliveries can be planned in phases to match construction.
Can Foscari supply vanities and closets as well as kitchens?
Yes. Multi-unit packages can include kitchens, bathroom vanities, closets, laundry cabinetry and built-ins, and Foscari can also coordinate countertops, appliances, lighting and fixtures.
Do you work with developers outside Houston?
Yes. Foscari coordinates out-of-town and international deliveries for builders working in other markets.
Learn more about Foscari’s multi-unit projects, or visit our showroom to see the cabinet lines in person.
Foscari Interiors
2226 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77098
Contact our team to discuss multi-unit pricing for your next development.
