Why should I hire a Kitchen and Bath Designer?
Many people think they can remodel a kitchen by themselves but end up spending twice as much money than they would have if they just hired an expert first. A Kitchen and Bath Designer, like Musson Designs, will make sure everything will fit in your space and be code compliant the first time.
How long will this take?
There are 4 main stages of a remodel.
Preliminary Stage – This stage can take months or years as you think about how you want to work in your new space and how you want it to look. Kitchens should cost 10-25% of the overall value of your home. Baths should cost 5-20% of the value of your home. Now is the time to get your financing together.
Design Stage – Musson Designs will work with you to achieve the best space for you! This step can take anywhere from a week to a month or more.
The Wait – All cabinetry is made to order and cannot be returned. All decisions MUST be made before ordering the cabinetry. It will take on average 4-6 weeks for the cabinetry to arrive.
Installation Stage – This is when it all happens! Your contractor will install your new space with years of enjoyment to come!
Why can’t I just buy cabinetry online or in the store?
There are some cabinetry lines that are available off the shelf in big box stores. However, these are very low quality cabinetry lines and will not last long. This cabinetry is fine if you plan on remodeling again in a few years.
Why does cabinetry cost so much?
Assembled, quality cabinetry is one thing that is less expensive to make in the US than overseas. Cabinetry that is already assembled (not flat packed in a box) takes up too much space in shipping containers to ship overseas. Most of the cost of a cabinet is in the door which is made out of high quality hardwoods from sustainable North American forests. Finishes on cabinetry is usually a high quality baked on finish meant to last a lifetime.
Why do cabinets take so long to order?
All cabinetry (except for the low quality available in the stores) is made to order. This is because of the vast number of options, colors, styles, and sizes available. It’s impossible for cabinet manufacturers to make cabinetry ahead of time. Also, cabinetry, being made of wood, is very susceptible to humidity and temperature changes. Manufacturers will not accept returns because of this. Most manufacturers require that you use a kitchen and bath designer to place the order.
What should I be doing now?
Think about the following 3 elements applied to your space.
- What do you plan on doing in this space?
- What do you plan on storing in this space?
- What do you want the space to look like?
There are many places to get ideas like the internet, TV, and magazines. Look at your family and friends houses. Ask them what they like and don’t like about their space. Take cues from your neighbor’s houses and your own home’s style. Starting your project with these elements in mind will result in many happy years in the future. Contact Musson Designs when you are ready for the next step!