There’s no question that, for many homeowners, a kitchen remodel can seem daunting, not to mention intimidating. There are so many details to attend to, choices to make, and factors to consider. You also need to hire the right people who can see your vision through to completion, making it a reality.
Not to worry: you can make the process of a new kitchen design or remodel much easier on yourself. Start by asking your kitchen designer some key questions before you hire them. This will help you ascertain that they have the skills, experience, and know-how that will work for your particular project, not to mention your particular style.
9 Good Questions to Ask Your Potential Interior Designer
1. What Are Your Qualifications as a Kitchen Designer?
Kitchen design is more complicated than designing a living room or a bedroom. There are a lot of moving parts in a kitchen, and each requires a different type of expertise to execute. An interior designer needs to know how to work with cabinet makers/manufacturers, contractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and others to bring it all together.
To this end, many designers will have special training or credentials that let you know they are a knowledgeable leader for your remodel. When vetting designers, don’t be afraid to ask what their qualifications include that make them right for your kitchen project.
2. Are You Licensed/Insured?
Make sure you ask if your potential designer is insured. This will protect you from costs associated with any accidents or mishaps that may occur on the job. A licensed designer, meanwhile, is a professional, someone who has had formal training and passed standards upheld for people in their field. Ask your designer if they are licensed and where they received their education.
3. Are You an NKBA Member?
This follows along with numbers two and three. The NKBA is the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Members of this institution are certified designers who have studied technologies like electrical, plumbing, and construction for kitchens, as well as safety standards. They undergo rigorous training and log lots of hours getting experience.
4. Do You Have a Portfolio of Your Latest Work?
Seeing a designer’s past work will give you an idea of their skills and successes. You can also see what kinds of styles they have done in the past and if they will mesh well with what you’re going for.
Plus, seeing a designer’s portfolio might give you ideas for your own kitchen. If you see something you like (or many things), this is a good indicator that the designer will be the right fit for your project.
5. Do You Provide Full Design Service, from Start to Finish?
Some designers will work with you every step of the way, from drawing up design plans to hanging up pictures in the completed space. Others will pull a plan together with all the elements (cabinets, countertops, fixtures, wall colours, tile, flooring, etc.) but will leave the execution up to you. Make sure you’re hiring someone who will give you the help you need, not just the expertise.
6. What Products Do You Use for Hardware, Etc.?
Many designers have go-to companies and products they regularly use for their clients’ designs. Seeing their preferred choices will help you understand what your options will be when you work with them. If they aren’t your taste or are out of your budget, you might want to consider someone else to design your kitchen.
7. Do You Get Any Discounts for Products, Materials, Fixtures, Etc.?
Designers who get discounts for doing business with certain companies and manufacturers could end up saving you some money. See if your potential interior designers in NZ get any perks like this.
8. How Often Will We Communicate?
For the best possible outcome, your designer should be easy to communicate with. They should offer you a way to contact them if you have any questions, as well as set up meetings with you throughout the process to make you feel like a vital part of the interior design puzzle. Depending on what you feel most comfortable with, your designer should be flexible with your communication needs.
9. How Will You Make My Dream Kitchen Come Alive?
This is perhaps the most important question to ask a kitchen designer. How will they work with you to integrate your style and create your dream kitchen? A good designer should be able to hone in on what their client wants and translate that into a workable, liveable design that is also attractive and appealing.
See the interior design you’ve always imagined come to life. Work with the professionals at Mal Corboy for high-end, award-winning design, from the infancy of the planning stage to the final touches in your new, luxe kitchen.
