Working with a Designer for Your New Kitchen

December 5, 2011 by Lenox Bowman
Filed under: Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling

All designers work a little differently but this article should give you a general idea of what to expect and how to prepare.

Make an appointment
Most designers (including P & B Finishers) want to have the initial meeting in your home. This allows the designer to visualize how your ideas fit into your space. Some designers will want the initial meeting in their office or showroom. They feel you are more serious if you come to them. Either way, you’ll need to get on their calendar to start the process.

Before the meeting
Many designers will give you an hour or so of free consultation at the initial meeting. But remember, time is money so make good use of this time by being prepared.

1. Gather some ideas of what you like. Styles and colors, wood specie, etc. Magazines are a wonderful source of ideas and you can easily tear out pages and keep them in a folder for your meeting.

2. Ask the designer if they have a design questionnaire that you can fill out in advance of the initial meeting.

3. Input from your family members is critical. Everyone in the house will likely use the kitchen extensively. It needs to work for the family.

4. Establish a budget. Having at least a range can help your designer steer you in a direction you can afford. An average size kitchen can cost from $18,000 to $100,000 or more to remodel, depending on your taste and budget. A good designer can steer you into your budget or at least let you know that what you want is outside your budget.

At the initial meeting
That first meeting is all about getting to know one another. It’s important that both parties establish what is needed from the other in order to do business. Good designers won’t give you a hard sell but instead want to hear about what you want and need out of your new kitchen and what your budget is. The designer will measure your kitchen and probably take a few pictures.

If the initial meeting is to be in the showroom you should prepare further by having a sketch and dimensions of your kitchen along with some photos.

After the first meeting the designer should be able to come up with an initial estimate. This may be done on the spot or may require a second meeting, usually within two weeks. You can expect some rough concepts and a ballpark price.

Design Phase
The initial design will be conceptual based on the budget and ideas established at the initial meeting. Drawings can range from mere sketches to computer aided designs.

Once the initial design is presented the designer will likely require a retainer to continue. This is not a hard sell but rather a commitment. Again, time is money and design work takes a lot of time. By now you should be comfortable with your designer and know if the company is one you would seriously consider. Most design retainers are based on project scope and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. P & B’s average retainer is $600 but does vary and does have restrictions on the maximum number of hours spent on your design.

Once you have paid the retainer your designer will refine the drawings, selections and specifications to your desire. Remember that this can and most likely will change the initial estimate. Good designers can help you maintain your budget as long as it is a reasonable one to begin with. Remember, you may need to compromise so keep an open mind if you are budget conscious.

The design phase can take a week to a month or more. A lot depends on the complexity of the design and how quickly you can make decisions.

Signing the Contract
Once you are comfortable with the design you are ready to enter into a contract. Many firms (including us) will credit you the design retainer with a signed contract. This doesn’t always include additional hours above and beyond the design agreement spent on your design. The contract will include the final price with any stipulations that might change it, the drawings and specifications and payment schedules. Keep in mind that some designers offer just design service and cabinetry while true design/build firms and full service remodeling companies will handle the entire project from permits, demolition, materials and installation to final cleanup and everything in between.

Remember that if your home was built before 1978 your contractor MUST be certified by the EPA as a Lead Safe Firm and must follow the EPA regulations regarding lead safe work practices. Lead is a health hazard especially to young and unborn children and should not be taken lightly. You can learn more at http://epa.gov/lead.