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Our design process
Design is relevant to everything we do in life. Professional kitchen designers help ensure a satisfactory outcome for your remodeling project. The design process begins by evaluating and understanding the present pattern of your family’s activities and anticipating ways you and your family will change and evolve over time. EKD will work closely with you to:
- Define the scope of your project.
- Establish your project’s overall budget and help you define your budget accurately and precisely.
- Identify your needs: both conscious needs and desires, and subconscious needs and desires that you may not understand or recognize.
- Explore, identify and define your unique style preferences.
- EKD can provide the following a la carte services based upon your specific needs:
- Assist you in making your product selections (as many as needed) or work with your interior designer or architect if they are making those selections for you.
- Produce detailed CAD and hand drawings to illustrate clearly what your kitchen will look like.
- Take responsibility for all fixtures and appliances to be compatible with field conditions.
- Coordinate and communicate with contractor and trade professionals to ensure that the installation proceeds smoothly with the least possible disruption to household routines.
- In short, I can advise and assist you from beginning to end.
- Design fees are structured to meet your budget and needs, either hourly to flat fee.
Universal Design considerations
Universal design principles ensure that your kitchen will be accessible and usable by people of varying ages, sizes and abilities.
- Universal Design should be considered if:
- You plan on staying in your home for a long time and/or
- You wish to have family members of all ages and sizes live comfortably in your home environment.
- Adoption of Universal Design principles makes it easier and less stressful for kitchen activities to be performed by family members of all ages and abilities, including those in a wheelchair. This design approach does not mean your space will look like an ADA commercial space; on the contrary, some of the most beautiful kitchens can embrace Universal Design principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to begin the kitchen design process?
Start by making a list of what you like and do not like about your present kitchen. Also, log onto Houzz.com and Pinterest.com and bookmark kitchen photos that capture your interest and style. Focus on colors, cabinet style, appliances, and finishes. This bit of homework will establish a framework from which to begin the dialogue. Your next step is to schedule an in-house EKD consultation.
How much can I expect to pay for a kitchen remodel?
The best way to estimate your kitchen remodeling costs is to educate yourself about all the elements involved in the kitchen remodeling process. The process begins with the design, which defines for you all the specifics involved for the project. A comprehensive kitchen design will include the kitchen layout as well as specifications for cabinetry, countertops, appliances and fixtures. Part of the process will involve a time commitment on your end to “touch and feel” these elements in person.
In general, it is best not to underestimate the total cost for the kitchen if you want quality materials and workmanship.Once you are educated in detail about the costs, they will make sense to you For simple straightforward kitchens, you can expect to pay a minimum of $60,000 and upwards of $75,000 for those that are more complex.
In general, it is best not to underestimate the total cost for the kitchen if you want quality materials and workmanship.Once you are educated in detail about the costs, they will make sense to you For simple straightforward kitchens, you can expect to pay a minimum of $60,000 and upwards of $75,000 for those that are more complex.
How long will it take to complete the project?
There are two large blocks of time devoted to the process: design and planning, and demolition and installation. The design and planning phase requires most of your energy and time if you want the final project outcome to be what you want. The more thorough and precise you are in selecting all items needed to complete your kitchen, the smoother the demolition and installation will proceed without delays.
In general, for a simple remodel, not requiring complex building permitting, the entire process takes about 6-8 weeks. For more complex projects, the process can span 10-12 weeks or more.
In general, for a simple remodel, not requiring complex building permitting, the entire process takes about 6-8 weeks. For more complex projects, the process can span 10-12 weeks or more.
What if I don’t have any clue about what I want for my new kitchen?
EKD can confidently assist you in finding your “style” even if you think you do not know what it is. Everyone has their own preference, it just needs to be discovered.
