What You Need Before Coming to a Kitchen Designer: A Guide
What You Need Before Coming to a Kitchen Designer: A Guide
A kitchen designer can bring your vision to life, however there are various things to consider before getting in touch to ensure a smooth process. Here are our recommendations.
A kitchen designer can bring your vision to life, however there are various things to consider before getting in touch to ensure a smooth process. Here are our recommendations.
A Clear Vision and Ideas
A Clear Vision and Ideas
Research styles, materials and appliances to understand your likes and dislikes. To help you visualise, we recommend creating Pinterest boards, or old-fashioned mood boards with magazine clippings or material samples to help you collate your ideas in one place. Here, you can discover your “wants” and “needs” for your kitchen and share this with your Designer.
Having a clear vision fosters effective communication, personalisation and efficient decision-making, leading to a successful design project.
Research styles, materials and appliances to understand your likes and dislikes. To help you visualise, we recommend creating Pinterest boards, or old-fashioned mood boards with magazine clippings or material samples to help you collate your ideas in one place. Here, you can discover your “wants” and “needs” for your kitchen and share this with your Designer.
Having a clear vision fosters effective communication, personalisation and efficient decision-making, leading to a successful design project.
A Budget
A Budget
Determining your budget is crucial. Be realistic about what you can afford and share this with your Designer. This will save time and prevent heartache further down the line – no one wants to design a kitchen that they fall in love with that is way out of budget.
Don’t forget: Your Designer will always tailor the design to your budget and find alternative solutions to fit into your financial constraints.
Establish your overall budget for your entire kitchen renovation. Once you have a figure, this will be broken down into two:
Determining your budget is crucial. Be realistic about what you can afford and share this with your Designer. This will save time and prevent heartache further down the line – no one wants to design a kitchen that they fall in love with that is way out of budget.
Don’t forget: Your Designer will always tailor the design to your budget and find alternative solutions to fit into your financial constraints.
Establish your overall budget for your entire kitchen renovation. Once you have a figure, this will be broken down into two:
A kitchen design and product fee will include cabinetry, countertops, appliances and brassware etc. Your Designer may request a design fee for their time.
A kitchen design and product fee will include cabinetry, countertops, appliances and brassware etc. Your Designer may request a design fee for their time.
A contractor fee will cover the costs to install your kitchen, as well as plumbing and electrical work.
A contractor fee will cover the costs to install your kitchen, as well as plumbing and electrical work.
Top tip: Consider creating a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. We recommend putting aside an extra 10% of your project value.
Top tip: Consider creating a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. We recommend putting aside an extra 10% of your project value.
Find a Contractor
Find a Contractor
Before approaching a Designer, it is preferred for you to have a Contractor to install your kitchen to ensure a smooth process and successful collaboration. If not, your Designer may provide recommendations based on their past experiences.
Before approaching a Designer, it is preferred for you to have a Contractor to install your kitchen to ensure a smooth process and successful collaboration. If not, your Designer may provide recommendations based on their past experiences.
Understand Your Space
Understand Your Space
Measure the dimension of your kitchen, including the height of the walls and the location of your doors and windows. If you have a floor plan from your estate agent, this is even better. If you are struggling to obtain these, a Kitchen Designer may come on site to help you if requested.
Measure the dimension of your kitchen, including the height of the walls and the location of your doors and windows. If you have a floor plan from your estate agent, this is even better. If you are struggling to obtain these, a Kitchen Designer may come on site to help you if requested.
Building Regulations and Planning Permission
Building Regulations and Planning Permission
It is important to check if your project requires planning permissions or whether it complies with local building regulations. If you are planning to extend your property, you may need approval from your local council. If you are unsure, your Designer can help you.
It is important to check if your project requires planning permissions or whether it complies with local building regulations. If you are planning to extend your property, you may need approval from your local council. If you are unsure, your Designer can help you.
What are your goals?
What are your goals?
Before approaching a Designer, discover what you want to achieve. Do you want to create a family-friendly space that will grow with you? Do you want a space with specialist appliances to help you create healthy and nutritious meals? Share your goals with your Designer so they can tailor the design to you.
Before approaching a Designer, discover what you want to achieve. Do you want to create a family-friendly space that will grow with you? Do you want a space with specialist appliances to help you create healthy and nutritious meals? Share your goals with your Designer so they can tailor the design to you.
Preparing for your kitchen renovation is essential to ensure a successful design and installation. Communication is key, and by having a clear vision and budget your Designer can deliver your vision and transform your kitchen into an amazing functional space.
Preparing for your kitchen renovation is essential to ensure a successful design and installation. Communication is key, and by having a clear vision and budget your Designer can deliver your vision and transform your kitchen into an amazing functional space.
