Do you want to change your kitchen? After all, changing ovens, refrigerators and worktops is not rocket science. And then the basics of a modern kitchen haven’t changed much over the past fifty years… However, don’t be mistaken if you tell yourself this: on the contrary, materials and technology have undergone major transformations. Certainly, preparation, cooking and cleaning remain the unchanged activities of the kitchen. But they have been optimized. And these optimizations can be suggested to you by a kitchen designer. Without the contribution of an expert in the field, you could therefore miss out on a lot of ideas, tips and new features. Here are 8 tips for making the best choice when deciding on a kitchen designer.
Who is qualified to be your kitchen designer?
There are many people who claim to have the skills to design a kitchen. However, their skill levels vary. Here is a list of professionals who can design and install your kitchen:
The interior designer
Interior designers have excellent technical abilities, but not all have the specific knowledge to help you create your dream kitchen specifically.
The kit furniture seller
Admittedly, you will sometimes have to deal with salespeople, but in some stores, there are professionals who specialize in the design and installation of kitchens.
The specialty store
There are many signs. It’s up to you to move around to see which one might suit you best. Entry, middle, high-end, get an idea by going directly to the site or by taking a look beforehand on the brand’s website or on its social networks.
The Independent
Whatever the hourly cost of a freelance kitchen designer, they may very well end up saving you money by helping you get the best prices.
On what criteria should you choose your kitchen designer?
With so many brands, so many choices in terms of styles and finishes, and so many supposedly rock-bottom discounts, how do you decide where to turn? This is a really important question. Do your research, and take your time to think things through, to decide what you want from your new kitchen and, by the same token, from the kitchen company you want to canvass and who could eventually install your new kitchen for you. So what are the best practices to follow in this regard?
Foster the experience
Choose a long-established kitchen designer with a good track record. It’s been said that a good number of new start-ups fail in their first years. So ideally find an established kitchen designer, why not for at least 5 years, or even for more than 10 years.
Ask for recommendations
Testimonials are very important and every kitchen designer worth their salt should be able to show you recommendations from satisfied customers. Similarly, search the Internet and you will quickly find reviews from satisfied or dissatisfied customers. Rely on consumer forums. You will quickly know which kitchen designers to avoid or favor!
Do not multiply intermediaries
Give preference to kitchen designers who work “live”. This saves you money and peace of mind. Knowing that if something goes wrong, it will be easier to fix the problem without any intermediary getting in your way.
Do not give in to the sirens of reductions
A big discount is not so much if the original prices are already high. Assuming you can compare like-for-like products, it’s the final total price (including installation) that matters. So shop around and don’t choose a company just because they’re discounting – there are many reasons to discount and not all of them are good. It can be an old stock to sell, an unpopular product range, poor quality kitchens, a company in financial difficulty, etc.
Quality professionals
A kitchen designer’s level of experience and design abilities are very important if you want a custom kitchen that is unique or if you are very specific in expressing your needs. The same is true if you have a slightly quirky or oddly shaped room with uneven walls and angles. Besides asking about their experience, the only way you can know their effectiveness is to compare their projects with those of other competing kitchen designers and take a look at the final installations at the client’s location.
Request samples
To get an idea, it is best to see the finished product or, failing that, samples. If kitchen designers can’t show you samples of the actual materials or finishes you want — if you can’t see or feel them — chances are what you’re getting isn’t what you wanted. Or it may be that your project is falling behind simply because the kitchen designer will not be able to deliver what you have ordered.
Be interested in the design software used
These days it’s normal to see pictures of your new kitchen in action before you’ve had it installed. Look at the software used by your kitchen designer. Your designer should use the latest kitchen design software and be fully capable of designing to your specific needs. This is a service provided by almost all kitchen designers.
Follow your intuition
If you get on well with the kitchen designer, if you had a very wide choice, if you had complete answers to all your questions and if you liked the advice given, if you like the proposals made to you and if According to you, this kitchen designer is the most able to answer your request, so go ahead with confidence.