How do you find the right designer?
#1
GET RECOMMENDATIONS
Ask your family and friends. Put out the word on social media. Are you part of a local Facebook group? Search the group page for past recommendations that are repeated. Do your own online searches and read reviews across platforms like Yelp, Google, Facebook, and Houzz. Put out the word on your social media that you are looking and would welcome recommendations.
#2
REVIEW THE PORTFOLIO
Professionals might say they have experience, but seeing is believing. Don’t get dazzled by aesthetically pleasing arrangements of furntiure and decor. Kitchens are technical spaces that require experience to do correctly. If they’ve done kitchens, you’ll see photos of kitchens in their portfolio.
#3
ASK TO SEE THEIR DRAWINGS
Ask to see drawings of the kitchens you liked from their portfolio. While most designers wouldn’t dare to show other designers’ work in their portfolio (though it can happen), they may show work they only contirubted to. Seeing their drawings and discussing their role in the work, will ensure they designed it. Additionally, seeing their drawings shows you the kind of drawings you can expect during the design process.
#4
AESTHETIC COMPATIBILITY
Make sure that your designer’s aesthetic clicks with you. Designers have different levels of abilities and styles. Some have great variety of work tailoring each project to their client’s aesthetics, while other bring their own style into the project. It’s a choice. Take the time to discuss this with them. If you’re after the kitchen of your dreams, the former is what you want.
#5
MAKE SURE THEY HAVE GO-TO CONTRACTOR
Make sure your designer has their got-to construciton team. Nothing is worse for your sanity than a designer fighting with a contractor. If they ahve a construciton team they trust, that’s golden. Be sure to ask for pitures of the contractor’s work.
A great construction team brings a lot to the table. During the design phase, they can advise on technical issues and provide cost-effective choices. They can keep your designer on budget, explaining the rough costs of different design choices while helping them avoid unfruitful avenues.
At this point, you can also ask for references for both the designer and your potential construction team. The journey to your new kitchen will have twists and turns. If obstacles present themselves, particularly costly obstacles, having someone you can trust will be greatly comforting.
#6
DISCUSS BUDGET AGAIN & AGAIN
Talk about budget from the outset. Budget is very important. It’s what keeps clients up at night and derails many projects.
Know that budget is inherently slippery. At the beginning of a project, so much is unknown regarding materials and what will be done. Cost variations can be very large. Also, it’s not like shopping at the supermarket where the prices are on the labels. Moving the plubming from one side of the room to the other, takes a lot of thought. Depending on what might get in the way, the price can be very different.
This means you must have a conversation with your designer explaining what you have to spend, how much flexibility you have in case you fall in love with a design feature, and how your designer handles staying on budget. Keeping to a budget is a skill that some designers have honed better than others.
#7
PICK SOMEONE YOU VIBE WITH
A designer you click with is a bonus worth seeking. You’ll have a lot to do with each other as they design and bring your new kitchen to life. When there’s a personal connection, it’s that much more enjoyable, not to mention important communication and trust usually comes easier.
Some designers will spend time with you upfront, getting to know you and seeing if the relationship feels right on both sides. It’s a good practice. You don’t have to be besties, but you should like them.
Mitchell Newman
FOUNDER / SENIOR PARTNER
Mitchell Newman is the founder and senior partner at Habitar Design. He has over 20 years in the industry, starting his career as a physician before founding Habitar Design. Looking after his clients’ interests and delivering quality are the cornerstones of his philosophy.