6 Top Kitchen and Bath Experts Advise on Remodeling
What advice would you give to homeowners considering a kitchen or bathroom remodel?
To paraphrase the carpenters’ maxim, plan first, purchase second. A great kitchen or bath starts with a great plan. And great plans come from professionals with knowledge and experience. The fees that you pay for such expertise are offset by the savings you’ll reap in avoiding expensive mistakes and frustration. I’m naturally biased toward the National Kitchen & Bath Association (nkba.org) as the source for such professionals, as kitchens and baths are our full-time focus. (Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS, Jamie Goldberg Kitchen and Bath Design LLC )
Create their wish list and hire a professional kitchen and/or bath designer to assist with their project. (Lori Carroll, Lori Carroll & Associates )
Realistically budget the amount of money you can comfortably afford, then expect that sum to double. Enjoy the process, the privilege, you have to enhance your life with ability and the means to remodel. Then, by whatever means, with whatever help, professional or otherwise, make inspired design with your own hands-on participation if possible. (Fu-Tung Cheng, Cheng Designs )
Don’t skimp on the quality of your materials – purchase as much quality as you can afford and determine what your priorities are by working with a design professional. You can always get inexpensive decorations, but make sure the cabinetry, counters and other essential materials are of a high quality so that you maximize the investment and enjoyment for the many years to come. ( Susan Palmer, CKD, CBD, Susan Palmer Designs, Inc )
Hire a design professional and spend twice as much on lighting as you have budgeted. (Matthew Quinn, Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio, Matthew Quinn Collection )
Where do I begin!? Here is the best advice I can give. Write up a list of questions to use to interview professional kitchen/bath designers. Have that list of questions in front of you at each interview. Listen and talk equally. Do not talk more than listen in your interviews. In my blog I’ve done a post on specific questions to ask a designer. Selecting a designer is the single most important choice you will make and adequate time should be allowed for this initial process to evolve naturally and fruitfully. Consider not only the answers, helpful for comparison, but the connection you feel to the designer, his/her enthusiasm for your project, important factors as well. Understand that people, processes, and products are not perfect. If you choose the right professional, you will receive "near perfect." ( Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS Susan Serra Associates, Inc )
Excerpted from the following Kitchen and Bath Design Experts’ interviews:
- Kitchen Design Expert: Susan Serra, CKD
- Kitchen and Bath Design Expert: Susan Palmer
- Kitchen and Bath Design Expert: Matthew Quinn
- Kitchen and Bath Design Expert: Jamie Goldberg
- Kitchen and Bath Design Expert: Fu Tung Cheng
- Kitchen and Bath Design Expert: Lori Carroll
