Part III - Planning your remodeling project!

You're remodeling project is underway. You have decided to remodel your kitchen, you have the money in hand, so now what?

Hopefully, you have decided to work with a kitchen designer, even better, a Certified Kitchen Designer. Finding a CKD is easier than you think. The National Kitchen & Bath Association www.nkba.org has a service on line for consumers who need a designer, or you can google a certified kitchen designer in your area. Set up a complimentary interview to review the scope of the project the the designer.

 

It is wise to check references, look at the designer's portfolio and ask questions about fees and services provided. The designer will ask for your thoughts and ideas and any pictures you have collected from magazines. She will also ask about your wishes and desires as well as your lifestyle and budget. It is very important to communicate with the designer. Give your honest opinion everything from the floor plan to the materials suggested, i.e. cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc. Once you have decided on the designer, be prepared do some homework.

The plan is greatly dependent on the size and quantity of the appliances. The designer does not need to know the brands of the appliances before the preliminary floor plan is done but knowing what appliances you would like and the size of the appliance is necessary. Visit an appliance showroom (possibly with your designer) and ask questions about appliances you may not have thought about using. A warming drawer is one of the best kept secrets in kitchens, and yet, the homeowners who have them would not give them up. Think about 2 dishwashers if you are having 2 sinks in your kitchen and check out the newest in technology like the microwave in a drawer, a dishwasher in a drawer and a refrigerator in a drawer.

The preliminary floor plan will show placement of cabinets and appliances and should give you a pretty good feel for what the basic kitchen will look like. The drawing is now ready to be red-lined which means that any necessary corrections, additions or deletions will be made with a red pen. Once the preliminary design is approved, your designer will include all the changes and complete the working drawing showing electric & plumbing, cabinetry & appliances and lighting.

Now you are ready for the next step!