A kitchen remodel can pose some very difficult decisions. What finishes will be able to stand the test of time? Is the kitchen going to be able to age with you? Are you investing the appropriaite amount in your home? How do you design an efficient space on a budget that also has that “wow” factor? This is only the tip of the iceberg of decisions you will most certainly encounter. So how do you do it? Well, you could read the hundreds of books on kitchen design, visit dozens of showrooms to learn about products, spend countless hours aside from your already hectic life. Or… you could enlist a professional kitchen designer to do the leg work for and ultimately make the process enjoyable from start to finish. Here are the Top 5 Reasons why you should enlist the help of professional kitchen designer….
Reason #1 New Product Knowledge- Did you know that dozens of new products are launched weekly in the industry, making it nearly impossible for someone outside of it to keep up? A professional kitchen designer attends trade shows, continuing education seminars, and visits regularly with manufacturer representative so they can stay on top of the latest products available. This way, they will be able to offer an array of products that fits your specific needs.
Reason #2 Design Expertise- A professional kitchen designer will have years of experience in design, and has great solutions for those trouble spots. They can quickly tell you how you can maximize your storage and/or counter space. They can take any budget and make it look at least two or even three times its value. Many design professionals are certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association which involves rigorous testing & continuing education. You can look for someone who is an AKBD, a CKD or a CMKBD, all of which are certifications given by the NKBA.
Reason #3 Customer Service- So you have opted to not to hire a professional kitchen designer and you are handling the project yourself. You’ve done the research, you have a design, you’ve ordered the materials, and you are proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished. It’s all down hill from here, right? Wrong. This is when the biggest problems begin. Maybe a cabinet comes in damaged, or the countertop doesn’t have the radius corners you specified. What do you do now? Who do you turn to for customer service? If you had hired a professional kitchen designer you would have one contact for any questions or problems you have. They would have been there when the countertops were measured to ensure the radius was noted. The cabinets would have been checked before they were delivered and a replacement would already be on its way. In short, the likelihood of problems significantly drops by hiring a professional.
Reason #4 Resources- A professional kitchen designer has a tremendous amount of resources they can offer to you. Many of these resources work strictly with industry professionals, and not the general public, making their products and services more difficult to find otherwise.
Reason #5 Quality of Products & Services- There is nothing worse than paying thousands upon thousands for your kitchen remodel only to have it fall apart on you after only a short time. A professional kitchen designer will ensure that your product selection will last for many years to come and also that it is installed with fine craftsmanship.
If you look at these five reasons it really adds up to one big reason to hire a professional….VALUE. A professional kitchen designer is an immense asset to have during your project and will surely prevent the headaches, worry and stress caused by attempting the feat on your own. Your remodel should be a fun and exciting adventure ending with a stunning kitchen that your family will enjoy for many years.
Visit Somrak Kitchens to find out how we can help you on your next project!
Nikki Trivisonno, AKBD Somrak Kitchens, Inc. Cleveland, Ohio
