Choosing a local kitchen professional to work with may be THE most critical decision you make during the entire process. A competent professional not only makes your project look nice, but helps you to avoid some costly mistakes. Because a kitchen design professional has worked on so many previous kitchens, he/she knows the ins and outs that only experience can provide. This experience will help your project run more smoothly, and you will end up with a better end product.
Where do I go from here?
So where does this leave you in choosing a kitchen professional to work with? The real bottom line is to choose someone with a track record of producing great kitchens. A good kitchen professional should also have a "knock your socks off" showroom that showcases their work. The showroom should have displays that our creative, well lit, and evoke a feeling of warmth and beauty. Remember, a showroom is their sales tool, and if the showroom is lacking in any area, the kitchens that they produce are probably also lacking.
Next, look at photos of work that they have produced. This is the best way to get a feel for their ability to produce a quality kitchen. Some people will tell you that you must get good references from the designer. This might sound good, but do you think that the potential designer will put any "not so happy" customers on their list? Any company should have a list of happy customers, but the unhappy customers will never be on their list of referrals. It is for this reason that getting references is only an exercise in futility.
Don't choose someone who keeps losing their glasses!
Not only must a kitchen professional be talented and creative, they must be organized. Assembling a kitchen takes literally hundreds of steps, and a system must be in place to accomplish this undertaking. Choose a professional who is a member of a national design group, such as the SEN Design Group. This is a group of kitchen professionals who meet regularly throughout the year and attend educational classes to help them in their businesses. Also, make sure your designer has a support staff in place that can help assist with your project.
As you see, choosing a kitchen professional is not an easy task, but making the right choice is a crucial first step in getting your dream kitchen. Take the necessary time so that you can be insured you are making a good decision. The time you invest in this endeavor will pay big dividends in the long run.
|
