Design Process
The first step in the design process is usually an in-home consultation which consists of establishing a scope of work, budget, and discussing your wants and needs. At this consultation, I can also give you a very rough estimate for your project.
Once that is discussed and established then the fun begins. The following meeting starts with a presentation of preliminary drawings of the design concepts, space planning and general layouts. These drawings and concepts then get tweaked and massaged until the layouts are absolutely perfect and meet your needs.
The selections of products is the next steps in the design process. We will be visiting many showrooms in the area (or we can travel further away if needed) and select products like flooring, lighting and plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, appliances, tiles etc.
Once the construction begins I will oversee the installation process and visit the job site frequently to make sure everything goes according to our plan and to answer any questions that might come up.
To give you a better idea of how a typical design process looks like, here’s a list of meetings involved during a typical kitchen designing project:
1. Consultation
The first meeting is an in home consultation to establish budget, rough layout, and the preliminary style/look for estimating purposes.
2. Estimate
Second meeting is a presentation of the rough estimate.
3. Signing of The Design Agreement and Kitchen Layout
If the estimate meets your budget and you want to move forward, the next step is the design phase. We will sign the design agreement and start on the fun part, which is the design! During this third meeting we will focus on the kitchen layout. This will include the location of your appliances, plumbing, windows, desk, bar, island, etc. This will dictate the overall design and later the selection of your products. For example: double ovens vs a free standing range.
4. Cabinet Details
Since cabinets have usually the longest lead time out of all products, we need to focus on those first. We will discuss different cabinet options for your particular needs. For example, a bank of drawers vs roll out shelves and how many? We will measure your large platters, trays, pots etc to make sure everything will have its place and be functional. We will also look at different accessories for spices, trash bins, storage solutions etc.
5. Cabinet Finish, Door Style, Moldings and Decorative Elements
Now that the layout is done, we can focus on the overall picture. We’ll focus on the selection of the door style, and perhaps adding some glass doors or other decorative elements. In contemporary design, this can be as simple as adding a different finish accent or specialty lighting, and in traditional design, more elaborate ornate elements.
6. Appliance and Sink Selection
We can’t send the cabinets to production without knowing the exact model numbers of all appliances. The cabinet makers need to know the exact oven cut outs, or if you requested paneling on the refrigerator and the dishwasher. We will need the exact measurement. This meeting is always held at an appliance store.
7. Cabinet Purchase
At this point we are ready to submit the cabinets to production. If we chose an European manufacturer like Pedini, the lead time on cabinets is 4 months. As you can see, we need to send them to production as soon as possible. In case of an American manufacturer, the lead time is about 2 months (but, of course, it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer).
8. Selection of Countertops, Backsplash Tile and Flooring
Now that we are waiting for the cabinetry, we have 2-4 months to focus on all the other products for the kitchen. Some clients prefer to do this step before sending the cabinets to production, which is perfectly fine if you have more time before you want to start the remodel. But it’s not necessary because there are thousands of countertop and tile options out there and finding the ones that will complement your cabinets beautifully is very easy.
9. Lighting Design
The next step is to design lighting for your space. This meeting is usually held at a lighting store. We will select fixtures as well as work on an electrical plan that will be needed for your permit documentation.
10. Selection of Other Products
At this point we will be selecting all of the final elements for your kitchen. For example the faucets, soap dispensers, cabinet handles, paint colors. If needed for your remodel we will also visit a window, skylight and door showroom.
Of course, this list only a guideline. Each project is unique with unique requirements. Some projects can be done with few steps, and some will require more.
This summarizes the design portion of your kitchen remodel. Afterwards I will generate your permit drawings and obtain the permit and we are ready to start the construction.
The design process can be very enjoyable. You just have to have fun with it. And I will make it fun for you by guiding you every step of the way. With 15 years of experience I can tell you everything about differences between different products and brands.
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