The Honest Truth About Custom Range Hood Companies: A Comparison Guide
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?
The CopperHoods Story: Where It All Started
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.
We've Evolved. Our Commitment Hasn't.
Since Adam discovered Copper Kitchen Specialists in 2013 and transformed it into CopperHoods, we've upgraded our technology, streamlined our process, and expanded our capabilities. But some things never change: our obsession with craftsmanship, our commitment to transparency, and our belief that you deserve to work directly with people who actually care. Here's our journey:
Where We Started (And Why We're Keeping It Real)
Our installation video still rocks the Copper Kitchen Specialists logo and features the one and only Skip Bedell - a DIY legend in his own right. Yeah, we know it needs a fresh coat of paint. But here's the thing: this video represents our roots. It shows that we've always been about making installation straightforward, accessible, and honest. No smoke and mirrors, no overproduced corporate nonsense - just real guidance for real installations. We'll update it eventually. But we're kind of proud of where we came from.
The Pick-Your-Path Era
The original CopperHoods.com was all about inspiration and discovery. Browse our gallery, explore customization options, fall in love with a design, then reach out for a personalized estimate from our team. It worked beautifully for years because it emphasized what we do best: collaborate directly with you. Sure, you had to wait for pricing. But you got Marc's expertise baked into every quote. This approach taught us something crucial - customers don't just want products, they want partnership.
Building Your Vision in Real-Time
Our new platform lets you design your dream hood in 3D, see instant pricing, and generate a custom shareable link - all before talking to anyone. Want to show your spouse? Share the link. Ready for Marc's expert input? Send him your design and he'll refine it with you. We've combined the convenience of modern technology with the high-touch collaboration that's always defined us. You get the best of both worlds: control when you want it, expertise when you need it. That's the CopperHoods evolution in a nutshell.
Now, let's talk about some competitors you might be considering.
WorldCopperSmith® (CopperSmith): The Minnesota Neighbor
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:
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
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
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
The BBB Situation
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.
The Fabricator Connection
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, well show 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.
Pricing Reality Check
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?
RangeHoodMaster: Working with Our Old Fabricator
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.
Fobest, Sinda & RangeHoodMaster: The Same Old Fabricator—Maybe the Same Company?
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.
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?
Finally, a Word About "Artisan" Hoods and Material Sourcing
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
Us:
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.
The CopperHoods Difference:
What Sets Us Apart
Transparent Family Ownership
BBB Accredited with A+ Rating
Clear, Consistent Pricing
10-12 Week Delivery (Consistently)
Our delivery window is 10-12 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.
The One Exception: Got a grand-scale kitchen calling for a grand-scale hood? Hoods measuring over 72" in either width or height need a little extra TLC during shipping. For these show-stopping statement pieces, there's a $550 oversized freight charge. (Think of it as the price of admission for a hood that makes your neighbors stop mid-casserole.)
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.
- Any reputable company should be able to connect you with satisfied customers.
Material Quality
- Gauge finish: 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?
Quick Comparison Chart
Feature |  | World CopperSmith® | RangeHoodMaster | Fobest/Sinda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Location | Wisconsin & Minnesota⁶ | Minneapolis (HQ)⁵ | Claims Las Vegas; per industry sources, China | Per industry sources, China |
Fabrication Partner | Current Premuim Partner | Same as CopperHoods (they followed us) | CopperHoods' former partner | CopperHoods' former partner |
Starting Price | $3,900 (smallest size) | $3,600-$7,400+³ | Varies | Varies |
BBB Accredited | Yes (A+)⁶ | No⁵ | No | Unknown |
Lead Time | 7-9 weeks at the time of this blog post | 9-12 weeks (free); 7 weeks expedited +$200 | 9-12 weeks+⁷ | 5-7 weeks (expedited) |
Free Shipping | Yes | See lead time | Yes | Yes |
Payment | Pay up front; financing available | Not disclosed | Deposit accepted | 50% non-refundable after drawing⁸ |
Direct Designer Access | Yes (Marc) | Call center | Email support | Email support |
The Bottom Line
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.
Every Style Under The (Range) Hood
Curved Hoods
Customized to your liking with clipped, straight, or arched aprons, Curved hoods add a touch of elegance to your kitchen decor.
Bell Shaped Hoods
With outward and then inward curves, Bell Shaped hoods are stunning at any angle, and are an excellent option for lower ceilings.
Box Hoods
The simplest of all hood styles, Box hoods offer sloped, barrel, and curved profiles to provide versatility while conveying your style.
Pyramid Hoods
The geometric design of Pyramid hoods offer a modern look with tapered lines to complement open shelves and large islands.
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
Sources (Continued)
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.