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Planning :
Design
Phase :
Process
Process
Every designer works a bit differently, but here's the basic gist of
what you can expect to take place when you design your new kitchen:
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Make an appointment.
Some designers prefer to make the first appointment at your
home. Others feel that you're more likely to be serious about the
project, not just looking for free advice, if you take the time to
meet them at the showroom. Either way, if you want a chunk of
someone's time, get on their calendar.
- Before the meeting.
Time is money, so most good designers are only going to give you an
hour or two of free time at that first appointment. Make the most of
it by doing some prep work. Here are some suggestions:
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Using magazines and the
Internet, gather pictures of kitchen styles and
products that you like. These will help you and your
designer create the room you envision.
-
Print out and complete
our
Design Questionnaire if the designer does
not provide you with one. It asks questions about
how you cook, eat and shop as well as what you like
and don't like about your current kitchen. Your
answers will point the designer in the right
direction.
-
Get together with all
the members of your family and ask them for their
input. Kids count, too—this is an opportunity to
make it easy for them to help cook and clean.
-
Establish a budget
range that works for your family. Remodeling a
200-square foot kitchen can cost $20,000 or
$100,000, so don't just wait to see what the
designer comes up with. When you know how much you
want to invest, your designer can guide you toward
products that will allow you to stay within budget.
-
If you are building a
new home or have hired an architect as well as a
designer, be sure to get a copy of the floor plan to
bring to the meeting.
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The first appointment.
The first meeting typically serves as a getting-to-know-you session,
and may or may not include a sales pitch. Good designers won't give
you a hard sell—they'll want to hear about your needs, your wants
and your budgetary and space constraints. This is your chance to ask
questions about the company's services and products as well as its
design (and installation or construction) process. Ask to see
examples of the designer's work, and ask for references as well.
If this meeting takes place in your home, the designer will measure
the kitchen's dimensions and possibly take some pictures, too. This
helps them to a) document the space they're working with and b)
remember how the kitchen relates to the surrounding rooms.
If the meeting takes place at the designer's showroom, think about
measuring your kitchen ahead of time and bringing along the
dimensions as well as some pictures.
At this point, the designer should have the necessary information to
come up with some rough concepts and a ballpark estimate. Some will
start working on the spot, especially for small projects; most will
prefer to meet again in about two weeks to present drawings and a
price.
- Initial design concepts.
Preliminary designs could be drawn by hand or on a computer, and
might include sketches of the proposed floor plan and elevations
depicting cabinetry, counter and fixture placement. The estimate
will reflect suggested product choices. Some designers will provide
a budget range or multiple figures, and explain the impact different
product options would have on the ultimate price.
- Refining the design and estimate.
Assuming you like the basic design and have a rapport with the
designer, you'll probably be excited about discussing the
possibilities for your kitchen: "What if you did an island instead
of a peninsula?" or "Can we try a different door style?" At this
point, most designers will ask for a design retainer or design fee
before continuing to work on your project. They don't want to spend
hours of time with customers who are just "kicking tires" and
looking for free advice. You don't own the initial design, and the
drawings aren't complete enough to be built from, either.
Once you pay the design fee, the designer will work with you to
modify the floor plan and elevations to perfection and spec out
products down to the last detail, including tile pattern and faucet
finish. This process, of course, will modify the cost of the
project. Your designer should be able to steer you toward products
and design solutions that will help you stay within budget, though
this may require compromise on your part.
How long does this part take? Depends on how good you are at making
decisions.
- Signing the contract.
Once the design is perfected and you're ready for your new kitchen
to take shape, you need to sign the contract, which should include
the final estimate and payment schedule. At most companies, the
design fee you paid earlier will now be credited toward the cost of
your project.
Some designers simply provide design services and cabinetry, and the
contract's scope of work will reflect that. Others also offer some
combination of additional products, installation services and
project management. A true full-service or design-build firm will
take care of all the demolition, construction and management, from
scheduling to purchasing products.
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