Call Him a Facilitator

Herman Alter takes umbrage at being called a “general contractor” in the same way a classical violinist objects to being dubbed a “fiddler.”

As owner-proprietor of Miami Home Design in North Miami Beach since 2002, Alter has dedicated himself to carving out a niche as a maker of high-quality, custom-designed kitchens, vanities, wall units, closets, closet doors and furniture sold at reasonable prices—and including the cost of delivery and installation. Everything is made of the finest materials available and manufactured in South Florida. “Most of our work is modern in design because that’s what most people want today, but we also do traditional,” says Alter, who was born in Uruguay and arrived in the U.S. in 2002, by way of Argentina, Israel and Paris, to start his Miami enterprise after more than 20 years as a cabinetmaker.

“Our cabinets look and function like the Italian brands,” he says. “They’re based on classic Italian design. We use the same materials that high-end, European-style cabinetmakers are using. And all the hardware we use is the same Italian and German hardware that has been used for a long time in the most outstanding cabinetry all around the world.” Basic material options range from wood to melamine. “And we always offer the latest materials and fixtures as they come onto the market,” Alter says.

His custom furniture has become very popular, too. “I do my own designs, based on what the customer requests,” he says. “I also do wall units of a design and quality you will not find in any furniture store.” What makes wall units unique is that they are custom-designed and manufactured. “They are custom-made. They are designed just for the individual customer based on his or her needs.”

Yet another unique aspect of Miami Home Design is its status as exclusive distributor of Caesarstone quartz surfaces, which are now a popular alternative to traditional granite because custom coloration can be introduced. Alter is also exclusive distributor of InFeel, a sophisticated, textured, wallpaper-like product that can be applied to any surface as a decorative motif.

In addition to the finest materials and components, Miami Home Design also features the latest machinery and technology. “I have the proper machinery and technology necessary to do the best cutting and edge bending and connecting of raw materials,” says Alter, whose showroom, manufacturing facility and warehouse are in a single facility. That helps with centralized customer service—a top priority for Alter from the day he opened his doors.

“My service is the most important part of my business,” he says. “It’s based on a direct relationship with the customer. There is no middleman or representative. Every customer deals with me, and I make sure to understand exactly what they want. Once we are doing business, I carry my cell phone with me at all times and I am available at any time. If a customer has a problem of any kind, they can call me 24/7. That’s why my customers know that they can trust me.”

Today, preparing to celebrate his 10th anniversary as a thriving Miami business, Alter is developing custom closets and closet doors. “My custom closets are very unique,” he says. “Nothing else in the market is comparable to them. They are custom-made for every single room. They are not modules. You don’t see any beams, any screws, any connectors. And the thickness of each panel is based on the requirements for that specific closet. They are not ‘standard.’ So the custom closet that I create is like a wall unit inside your closets. It’s a big difference, in terms of design and organization, for the same price.”

The company now also sells custom closet doors. “We also make the best closet doors on the market,” Alter says. “We do all kinds, with the best possible framing.” Materials include aluminum, glass, wood panels and mirrors. Like the rest of his products, all components are custom manufactured in South Florida.

Whatever he’s called, Alter knows he has achieved a rare milestone—a decade-long history of innovation and growth in a tough business, with a long list of happy customers.

“Home improvement is challenging,” he says. “But Miami Home Design has the best and latest capabilities available at our disposal to make our work stand out from the competition. And that, combined with the quality of our products, is what has made us successful and kept us successful.”

For more information, call 786.326.4748 or visit miamihomedesign.net.