You can design it yourself but most cabinet retailers will do the design work for free so it is worth your time to ask. There are three different kind of cabinet retailers, (a cabinet shop that builds cabinets, a cabinet showroom/ dealer that sells national brands, and the big box stores) and having them design it is usually not an obligation to buy. Ask them up front if they charge for the design and estimate.
*Note: Most showroom dealers will do the design so you can see what you are paying for, but will not let you take the drawings until a deposit has been paid.
Many cabinet designers are very good at what they do. Ask for people who have been in the business for a while and request some examples of their work. Feel free to ask for a list of referrals. Avoid novice designers. There is no reason for you to be one of the clients they “cut their teeth” on.
Don’t assume that the expensive looking showroom is out of your budget. Many of them are competitive with the big box stores (Lowes, Home Depot, Direct Buy, etc.) Getting a design from the big box stores can be hit-or-miss. Some of their designers are seasoned veterans, others are brand new having only sat through a 1-day class (avoid these folks!).
Consider getting a design by a third party. These are usually true kitchen designers…CKD’s (Certified Kitchen Designers certified by the National Kitchen & Bath Association – NKBA)
You will have to pay for this (typically $200-$800) but can run in upwards of $1,500 to $2,000, and the advantage is they will design a kitchen that you can then take to several cabinet dealers and get competitive “apples for apples” quotes on. It will also save you the time having to meet with several designers and go through the same routine each time.
*Note: Not all good designers will be CKD certified, but are very good at what they do because of years of experience. Ask to see examples of their work and prior customer references.
What you will need.
Once you have decided which route to take, there are certain things a designer needs in order to design your kitchen the way you want it and what will function the best for you and your family.
Most cabinet shops and dealers will come to your house or jobsite to field measure, but some rough design and pricing can be done just from a sketch with some measurements. If you are building a new home, bring a copy of your house plans, and leave them with the designer for a few days if possible.
Appliance specifications, and your preference as to where they will be placed in the design is one of the first things that you and your designer will need to determine. Sometimes the placement of appliances and sinks will be determined by the layout of your room, windows, etc.
Pictures are always helpful. Try to find pictures in magazines that reflects the style and feel that you would like your new kitchen to have. Most good designers will take your likes into consideration, but they will also look at the overall design of the house and try to design something that does not look out of place.
Budgets can be very helpful to the designer. Remember that most of the time, your new kitchen will cost more than you originally thought, and having a good budget for the designer to work with helps you get a kitchen you will love. Some people are reluctant to tell the designer the budget, especially if they are pricing the cabinetry, because they think that they may get a better price if they don’t share this information. Usually it has a reverse effect. You go over everything you would like to have, choose a cabinet and door style, and then get a price that is two times your budget. But, if the designer knows the budget before hand, they can direct you through the selection process and stay closer to your budget. This allows you to get the very important things, while eliminating the things that are not necessary for you to have a beautiful functioning kitchen.
Schedule. A time schedule is very important. If you are doing a new construction, ask your builder when the house will be ready for cabinetry. Most people wait until the house is framed before they start looking at cabinets, but it is better to first talk to kitchen designers when the house is first started. This gives ample time for them to design and price everything, and for you to make any changes. Nothing is worse than having a great idea about your kitchen, only to find that it is too late to change it because your cabinetry has already been ordered or made.
Get A Contract. One very important thing that you should get is a contract that lists everything you are getting with the final price. Sometimes things may change a little before the project is completed, such as add-ons, or deletions, but this gives you something to stand on if you do not get what you bargained for, and helps guard against any unforeseen disagreements or misunderstandings that may arise.
With remodeling, scheduling is even more important. Get the design work done, cabinetry ordered and delivered before you start tearing old cabinetry or sinks out. This way you are without your kitchen for the least amount of time as possible. It is no fun having to do without a kitchen for 6 to 8 weeks.
Deposit. Most cabinet retailers will require a deposit before your cabinetry can be ordered. This amount can vary depending on the size of the project and the retailer, but most require a 50% deposit. Before giving them a deposit, make sure they are legitimate business with proper insurance, (general liability & workers compensation).
Installation. You may want to do the installation yourself, but if it is more than just a basic kitchen I would recommend letting a professional installer do it. Most local cabinet shops do their own installation and is included in the price, so ask them about the installation so there won’t be any misunderstandings when that time comes. Kitchen showroom dealers do it different ways. Some do their own installation, and some contract to an independent installer, but may include this in the total price. Most all big box stores contract all of their installation and is not included in the price of the cabinetry.