Well, hello there, kitchen maestro! Marc here. Pull up a chair and grab your favorite beverage—we need to have a heart-to-heart.

Over the past few years, I've watched the custom copper range hood market grow from a handful of dedicated craftspeople to a crowded landscape of companies all claiming to offer the best. And let me tell you, as someone who's been elbow-deep in copper since 2019, not all range hoods are created equal—even when they look surprisingly similar.

If you're reading this, chances are you're doing your homework. You've probably requested samples from multiple companies (smart move, by the way). You might be comparing price quotes, warranty terms, and delivery estimates. Good. We want you to be an informed buyer because, frankly, the custom range hood industry has some things that need bringing into the light.

Let's cook up some truth together, shall we?

Before we dive into comparisons, let me give you some context. CopperHoods actually began as "Copper Kitchen Specialists" in 2008. In 2013, our founder, Adam, discovered the company and was genuinely impressed—both by the quality of the product and the level of service. He worked closely with the previous owner to ensure a smooth transition, rebranded to CopperHoods, and the rest is history.

Today we're a family operation right here in the heartland—Wisconsin and Minnesota, where "hot dish" meets "bubbler." We're BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, and we've spent over a decade refining our craft, our processes, and our relationships with customers like you.

We're telling you this not to brag, but because context matters when you're about to invest in a culinary centerpiece that'll become part of your family's story.

Now, let's talk about some competitors you might be considering.

WorldCopperSmith®, also operating out of the Minneapolis area (they're in Brooklyn Park), claims to have been founded in 2009. But here's an important detail: they started in the copper gutter business and entered the range hood market later. On the surface, they look like a local company with impressive marketing and a slick website.

But here's where things get interesting.

What Their Own Customers Say

We're not going to put words in anyone's mouth—let's look at what real customers have shared in public reviews:

On quality and service issues: One Trustpilot reviewer shared their experience: "I paid THOUSANDS for it and received a crushed motor (still works) and a dented hood. They said they will file a complaint with the shipping company and that it would take 45 days. It has been way past that and they are not returning my emails. I'm not happy. This is the one splurge we had in our kitchen remodel and I'm not thrilled with how it was handled. If I spend that much money, my item should be perfect."¹

On service recovery: Another reviewer noted: "Bottom line – If the finished product works for you the first time you will be very happy but do not expect any significant effort at service recovery if your purchase fails to meet your needs."²

What WorldCopperSmith® says themselves: Their own website states they "partner with the world's greatest artisans, manufacturers, and industry-leading brands"—which is corporate speak for "we don't make these ourselves."³

A Note About Their Reviews

It's also worth mentioning that Trustpilot has flagged WorldCopperSmith®'s review profile with this notice: "We've detected that this company may be asking for reviews in a way that Trustpilot doesn't support. This can lead to bias and compromise the reliability of reviews."⁴

Here's something worth noting: WorldCopperSmith® is not BBB Accredited.⁵ CopperHoods has been BBB Accredited since 2024 with an A+ rating.⁶ This matters when you're spending $4,000-$7,400+ on a range hood.

WorldCopperSmith®'s pricing starts at $3,600 for basic under-cabinet mounted hoods—these are very short units, not the same as the wall-mount custom hoods we specialize in. For hoods comparable to ours in size and style, their prices quickly climb to $5,100-$7,400+ for their "Custom Series." Final hood prices usually average 200% more than CopperHoods. When you're paying premium prices, shouldn't you know exactly what you're getting?

The exhaust systems WorldCopperSmith® markets as their own? They're actually Trade Wind units with a different label. We proudly partner with Trade Wind and tell you exactly what you're getting. Why hide a quality brand behind your own name?

Here's something the industry doesn't talk about openly: CopperHoods and WorldCopperSmith® actually use the same fabricator. That's right—the same skilled craftspeople creating their hoods are creating ours. So when you see similar styles and quality between our products, there's a reason.

Here's the kicker: WorldCopperSmith® actually found out who we use for fabrication and started building their hoods at the same location. Over this article, we've shown you that CopperHoods is the leader and everyone else is following. It's flattering, honestly—but it tells you everything you need to know about who to trust with your kitchen.

The difference between us? Everything else. The customer experience. The pricing transparency. The direct access to a real designer (hi, that's me). The BBB accreditation. The honesty about what you're getting and when you'll get it.

Same fabricator. Completely different company values.

RangeHoodMaster claims to have been in business since 2006 and claims to operate out of Las Vegas—though industry sources suggest their operations are actually based in China. Their website focuses heavily on product photos but is notably quiet about where their hoods are actually manufactured.

Here's an insider detail: RangeHoodMaster uses the same fabricator that CopperHoods used to work with before we upgraded our manufacturing partnership. We moved on for a reason.

Lead Times

RangeHoodMaster quotes 9-12 weeks for custom orders in regular seasons, with the caveat that it may take "more depends on holiday seasons."⁷ That's a wide window that can wreak havoc on your kitchen renovation timeline.

Here's where it gets interesting. Fobest, Sinda.com, and RangeHoodMaster all use the same fabrication partner—our old fabricator that CopperHoods moved away from. Industry sources suggest these three brands may actually be the same company operating under different names. Same fabricator, same overseas operations, different storefronts.

And if you dig deep enough, you'll actually spot some of our kitchen gallery photos sprinkled throughout their customer review sections. That's right—images stolen from the CopperHoods website, passed off as their own customer uploads. If they're willing to fake their reviews, what else are they willing to fake?

The Deposit Trap

Fobest requires a 50% deposit and explicitly states: "The deposit will not be refunded after receipt of the approved drawing."⁸ If you change your mind after seeing the shop drawings—tough luck. That's a significant risk with a $3,000-$4,000+ purchase.

Here's a buying tip worth keeping in mind: Be wary of range hoods marketed as "artisan" that are sourced from Mexico. Mexico has a robust recycled copper industry, and according to the Copper Development Association, "the only significant drawback to using recycled copper is that it may contain trace impurities that negatively impact its properties."⁹

At CopperHoods, we use only pure, cold-rolled, 16-gauge copper and brass, and 304 stainless steel—no recycled material, no questions about what's in your hood.

Now that we've looked at the competition, let me tell you what makes CopperHoods different—and I'll stick to verifiable facts:

Transparent Family Ownership

We're Adam, Jennelle, and me (Marc)—real people with real names who live in Wisconsin and Minnesota. You can read our story on our website, see our faces, and when you call, you might actually talk to one of us. Try getting the founder on the phone at WorldCopperSmith®.

BBB Accredited with A+ Rating

We earned our BBB accreditation through consistent quality and customer service. This isn't something you can buy—it's something you earn through thousands of transactions handled with integrity.⁶

Clear, Consistent Pricing

Our custom copper range hoods start at $3,900 for our smallest size, with price determined by size alone—no upcharges for finish, texture, straps, or rivets. We don't nickel-and-dime you for every option.

7-9 Week Delivery (Consistently)

Our delivery window is 7-9 weeks. Not 9-12 weeks with caveats about holidays. Not "depends on when the shipping container arrives." We control our process, so we control our timeline.

Free Shipping (Actually Free)

Free shipping to the continental United States—no inflated base prices to hide shipping costs, no regional limitations.

Direct Communication

When you work with CopperHoods, you work with me. I'm the Master Designer who'll help you through the customization process. You're not dealing with a call center reading from a script—you're dealing with someone who genuinely loves what they do and knows copper like the back of their hand.

Before you buy from anyone—including us—ask these questions:

• "Can I speak directly with the designer working on my hood?" If the answer involves escalation procedures and ticket systems, consider what that means for your custom project.
• "What makes your hoods better than competitors?" Be wary of vague claims. One tactic we've heard is companies claiming they have "fabricators in several regions and use the best ones." Press for specifics.
• "What happens if I need to make changes after I've placed my order?" Will you lose your deposit? Is there flexibility?
• "Can you provide references from customers in my area?" Any reputable company should be able to connect you with satisfied customers.
• "Are you BBB Accredited?" It's not the only measure of quality, but it's a signal of business practices.

If you're ordering samples from multiple companies (and you should!), here's what to look for:

Material Quality

• Gauge thickness: 16-gauge is the gold standard. Thinner gauges will feel flimsy and dent more easily.
• Material purity: Look for 99% pure copper, not recycled material.
• Finish consistency: Is the patina even? Do the colors match what you saw online?

Craftsmanship Details

• Weld quality: TIG welding provides the strongest, cleanest joints. Ask about welding methods.
• Edge finishing: Are edges smooth and consistent, or rough and uneven?
• Coating quality: Is there a protective clear coat? How is it applied?

Communication During the Process

• Response time: How quickly did they answer your questions?
• Knowledge depth: Could they answer technical questions, or did they need to "check with someone"?
• Pressure level: Did they respect your timeline, or push for immediate decisions?

Look, we know we're not the cheapest option out there. We're also not the most expensive. What we are is honest, transparent, and genuinely committed to creating a range hood that'll become the heart of your kitchen for generations.

The custom range hood industry has grown quickly, and not all that growth has been in the right direction. Some companies have chosen to prioritize volume over craftsmanship, to obscure manufacturing origins, and to make promises they can't keep.

We've chosen a different path. It's the path that lets me sleep well at night and look our customers in the eye at kitchen shows and design events.

If after reading all this, you decide CopperHoods is right for you, we'd be honored to create your culinary centerpiece. If you decide to go with someone else, I genuinely hope you get the quality you deserve.

But whatever you do, don't make this decision blind. Ask hard questions. Demand clear answers. Your kitchen deserves better than corporate doublespeak.

Ready to cook up something brilliant together? Let's talk.

Sources

¹ Trustpilot review, WorldCopperSmith: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/worldcoppersmith.com
² Trustpilot review, WorldCopperSmith: https://ie.trustpilot.com/review/worldcoppersmith.com?page=8
³ WorldCopperSmith website: https://www.worldcoppersmith.com
⁴ Trustpilot notice on WorldCopperSmith profile: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/worldcoppersmith.com
⁵ BBB Business Profile, World CopperSmith (Not Accredited): https://www.bbb.org/us/mn/brooklyn-park/profile/coppersmith/world-coppersmith-0704-96159664
⁶ BBB Business Profile, CopperHoods (Accredited since 1/11/2024, A+ Rating): https://www.bbb.org/us/wi/oconomowoc/profile/range-hoods/copperhoods-0694-1000017605
⁷ RangeHoodMaster website lead time information
⁸ Fobest website deposit policy
⁹ Copper Development Association, "Overview of Recycled Copper": https://www.copper.org/publications/newsletters/innovations/1998/06/recycle_overview.html

WorldCopperSmith® is a registered trademark of World CopperSmith, LLC.