From a design and build perspective, kitchens are typically more complicated than the other rooms in the house. Planning one involves plumbing, electrical, and sometimes gas lines; appliances, fixtures and lighting, work and storage areas. We spend more waking hours in our kitchens than anywhere else. And because they are so often the central gathering spot for family and friends, we may expect them to be showhouse-beautiful to boot.
There’s a lot at stake when you’re designing a kitchen. So before you click “complete order” on that built-in range or designer backsplash, consider this: Do you really want to go it alone?
Hiring a pro to help with your kitchen design doesn’t mean relinquishing control of your new-kitchen dreams. It means putting those dreams in the hands of someone who can help you realize them effectively, efficiently, and with style. A recent study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) of consumers who had remodeled or who are currently remodeling their kitchens revealed that 54% had used a designer. While a simple cabinet swap, appliance change or cosmetic makeover can be easily handled on your own, it’s worth considering a kitchen designer for a major remodel. Hiring a professional designer can save you money on the total cost of the remodel and help you build the kitchen you envisioned.
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Before meeting with a kitchen designer, you should have an idea of your total budget, keeping in mind any professional designer or architect fees. However, it’s difficult to pin down the cost of a “typical” kitchen remodel. A survey by HomeAdvisor.com places it at $23, 812, or $150 per square foot, with most homeowners spending between $12, 587 and $35, 039. The 2019 U.S. Houzz & Home Study placed the cost of a typical kitchen renovation a bit lower, at $14, 000, up 27% from the year before. Estimates for upscale kitchen remodels, on the other hand, often exceed $100, 000.
It may help instead to consider how much your kitchen is worth. The rule of thumb is that your kitchen should equal 10% to 15% of your home’s total value. If your house is worth $200, 000, you should be comfortable spending up to $30, 000 to upgrade your kitchen.
You might also consider the return on your kitchen investment. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel (costing $22, 507) will recoup 80.5% of its cost at resale, compared to just $59.7% for an upscale kitchen remodel with a price tag of $131, 510.
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But resale value is only one driver of kitchen remodels. When the Houzz survey asked homeowners their remodeling priorities, 88% cited “improving design” and 81% cited “improving functionality” (compared to 67% who prioritized resale value). Most homeowners, it seems, remodel their kitchens so that they work better for them. And making kitchens work better will be your kitchen designer’s top priority as well.
FINANCING TIP: If the cost of your kitchen remodel exceeds the amount you’ve saved and budgeted for, you might consider a fixed-rate personal loan. Discover Personal Loans offer funds up to $35, 000 with flexible repayment terms to help you meet your project needs.
Architects, interior designers, and kitchen designers all design kitchens. If you’re already working with an architect or interior designer on your home project, you may choose to have that person design the kitchen as well. Design-build firms, which handle both design and construction tasks, can also be counted on to design kitchens.
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If it’s just the kitchen you’re working on and want top-notch guidance, you’ll get the most expertise from an NKBA-certified designer. The organization’s designations, which include Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD), Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bath Designer (CBD), require five years of full-time design experience as well as knowledge of construction, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. Certified kitchen designers must complete a professional development program, pass an exam, and maintain their certification by meeting continuing education requirements. A Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) is a highly experienced designer with additional educational and professional credits.
A kitchen designer with that knowhow can help you make the most of your kitchen with an efficient floorplan, good lighting, ergonomic features, smart storage and a pleasing design. He or she can advise you on materials and appliances, and work with suppliers and your contractor to see the project through quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
There are less expensive options. A contractor can offer advice on your new kitchen, but unless there’s a dedicated designer in the firm, the big decisions (gulp!) will be up to you. Likewise, your local home improvement store or cabinet dealer will likely offer the services of an in-house designer along with your purchase or for a nominal fee. In many cases, that person will be able to help you arrange and fit your cabinetry, but may not be able to assist in other areas, such as lighting or appliances. Unless they are specially trained, any structural reconfigurations will also likely be beyond their expertise.
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This may be all the help a budget-conscious client feels they need, says Rebekah Zaveloff, co-founder of Chicago-based KitchenLab Interiors and an NKBA’s Insider expert. But she notes that working with a retailer often means you’re dealing with someone who is a salesperson first and a designer second. “Sales/design associates are not necessarily trained in design and the design offering is an add-on to buying that retailer’s product, ” she explains. While this may be less expensive, “hiring a certified kitchen designer or interior designer who can specify to the trade and create custom looks is the way to go to avoid costly mistakes.”
Specialty kitchen showrooms and professional design centers offer a higher level of service that is something of a hybrid between the retail model, where the focus is on the product sale, and the personal attention of an independent designer. Design center consultants—who may be NKBA-certified—can guide you in purchasing materials and appliances, assist with a layout, and provide additional design advice. Their involvement may or may not extend to working with your contractor to see the project through and you may be on your own in selecting products they don’t sell. It’s a good idea to clarify this when considering their services.
To sum it up: You can get help designing your kitchen from many places, but you’ll get the most personal attention and comprehensive service from a certified kitchen designer.
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Fees for a high-end kitchen designer can represent 8% to 10% of your project costs. The lower figure generally applies to more expensive projects—those costing $127, 000 or more. The national average for kitchen design services is $12, 250, with the minimum range for an independent designer running from $1, 500 to $3, 000.
FINANCING TIP: To find out the average cost homeowners pay to hire kitchen designers in your area, see the Pro Cost-Estimator at the top of this page.
Just as there are many sources of kitchen-design help—and a lot of blurry lines between sales-based and design-based professionals—there are also many ways designers charge for that help.
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Firms that offer design services in connection with the purchases of a product—usually cabinetry—typically roll those fees into the price or charge a retainer that is then applied toward the purchase. In this case, be sure to ask about design services related to other elements, such as specifying lighting and paint. “Ask a lot of questions and know what you are getting for your money, ” Zaveloff advises.
Most independent kitchen designers charge by the hour with rates that can range from $65 to $250 an hour, and $125 to $150 being typical. If your designer charges by the hour, you’ll want an estimate of how many hours the designer expects your project will require.
Other designers charge a flat fee, often based on the project cost. Sarah Robertson, owner of Studio Dearborn in Westchester, N.Y., charges a fixed fee that includes the kitchen design and the cost of the cabinetry. She then charges hourly for help in selecting appliances, hardware, countertops, and other materials and finishes.
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FINANCING TIP: If hiring a kitchen designer put you over-budget, you could consider a fixed-rate personal loan to cover the costs, ensuring you get the resources you need to have your project done right. Discover Personal Loans is an appealing lender because they let you apply for an amount you choose up to $35, 000 as well as from five repayment options. They also don’t charge any origination or pre-payment fees and there’s no collateral is needed to secure the loan.
Regardless of how your designer charges, be sure you know what services are included in the fee. If all you want is a few ideas and some direction, some designers will offer a consultation at a cost of a few hundred dollars.
When looking for kitchen design help, consider reaching out to others for personal recommendations. According to the NKBA survey, nearly half (47%) of those seeking help with their kitchens rely on personal recommendations to find a designer. That was followed closely (at 36%) by research on the web.
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Regardless, when you’re
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