Signature Kitchens and Baths Magazine
What a Professional Design Firm Does
by Kenneth W. Peterson, CKD
copyright © 2002
This article is protected by copyright law and may not reproduced
without written consent from its author.
 Kitchens
are the heart of most American homes. They are a family's activity
center for cooking, dining, gathering, conversing, relaxing, and
entertaining. As the most versatile room in the home, kitchens receive a
lot of wear and tear. They are also the most complicated room to design
and the most expensive to furnish.
Remodeling a kitchen is a little like open heart surgery. In spite of
spending a lot of money, if it is done wrong you may not have a second
chance. So, regardless of the scope of your project, it makes good sense
to seek out the most qualified kitchen professional in your area. Here
are five good reasons why you should select a professional kitchen
specialist over any other source:
1. Information Resource
The most satisfied clients are usually those who have done their
homework well. They learn what is new or available in styling, finishes,
and products. They read magazines on the subject of kitchen renovation,
what to expect, how to cope, etc. They ask questions of their friends
who have recently remodeled. In short, they do the research so they have
a better idea of what they want.
A professional design firm can include the latest products, styling
themes, and kitchen technologies into your kitchen redesign.
Professional kitchen firms are a great resource for information. Their
showrooms or studios are often set up like an education center. Not only
do their displays show the latest in product innovations, styling
themes, and kitchen technologies, they demonstrate functional design
concepts: minimum clearances around a cooking island, what elements
constitute a good preparation area, etc. To assist in the education
process, professional kitchen firms will frequently conduct consumer
seminars on a wide array of kitchen topics. Most offer product
literature. More importantly, many furnish consumer booklets with
valuable tips on how to buy a kitchen, select a kitchen supplier, select
the right quality cabinetry for your needs, and survive the installation
process.
2. Needs Analysis
This is a fact-finding mission on the part of the kitchen specialist to
discover what your needs, wants, and limitations are. Usually performed
at the site of the homeowner's kitchen, a lot of questions will be
asked. The professional will learn how your family functions in the
kitchen, inventory your storage requirements, and collect size data.
Sometimes, rough planning sketches and/or a budget analysis will be
developed.
 The extra time and care given to this appointment permits the kitchen
specialist to better understand your family and your project goals. This
comprehensive approach is crucial for three important reasons: First, it
will develop better design solutions within your investment range.
Second, it will eliminate mistakes and oversights that lead to unwanted
surprises and/or delays later on, Third, it will help you determine
whether this is someone with whom you would like to work over the many
months from creation to completion.
A needs analysis for your kitchen project is much like receiving a
diagnosis from a doctor for a medical condition. If the examination is
thorough, the diagnosis insightful and credible, and the manner is
caring and positive, you are confident this is the right person to help
you. There is no need to look for a second opinion.
3. Professional Services
Most people do not realize that kitchens are largely intangible
products. That's because kitchens must be constructed onsite from
literally hundreds of material components according to a set of precise
plans that reflect your dreams. In truth, you really won't know how well
your new kitchen will look- or perform- until it's done and you are
using it. There is simply no way to "test drive" your kitchen in advance
of purchase.
4. Business Integrity
Imagine you are in the eighth day of a kitchen remodel and your family
is starting to complain about the inconveniences. The last thing you
want to hear is a weak excuse about why the installation crew will not
be working for the "next couple of days."
Professional kitchen firms do not promise what they cannot deliver. And
when they do deliver, it is often more than expected. The proof is in
what their legions of satisfied clients say and write about them.
Referrals are a precious asset and help to fuel their business growth.
These firms battle to control all of the little details that may lead to
delays. They are sensitive to the disruptions of normal routines that
even a minor remodeling can impose upon a household. They mail
informational booklets in advance of the job start to get you and your
family prepared. They even care enough about how a project went that
evaluation forms are sent out to grade their performance.
5. Best Value
There are four factors that govern the cost of all kitchen projects:
scope, product, design, and services. Most people mistakenly think that
the size of the project and the choice of brand name products will make
for the best results. But it is the design and the company's services
that will truly have the greatest impact on the quality and value of
your investment. And both are a function of genuine intangibles: human
skill and endeavor.
Brand name products for a kitchen are only as good as the professionals
who technically understand them, properly design with them, accurately
order them, properly handle and deliver them, and correctly install them
as part of a grand puzzle of related product pieces from many different
suppliers. This requires talent, experience, organization and diligence.
If there is a difference in price between a professional kitchen design
firm and other sources, it will be largely due to the quality of staff
employed, the way they are organized, the breadth of services performed,
and the management systems utilized to control the incredible number of
details that go into even the smallest kitchen project.
When you may be living with an investment used everyday by each family
member for twenty years or more, it is a very small premium to pay. For
peace of mind and sheer value, doing business with a professional
kitchen design firm may be the best insurance policy you have ever
purchased.
BACK TO THE TOP
|
