A waterfront property needed room for entertaining, which meant a kitchen that was comfortable and functional for everyday use and entertaining. The goal was a blend of traditional and contemporary components that would come together not just cohesively but beautifully. The result was the homeowner's dream kitchen. It started with asking the right questions, understanding options, and weighing priorities; this is how we help clients tailor a kitchen remodel design that exceeds expectations.
Great design results can happen when a well-prepared and experienced design-build team comes together, listens deeply to the customer, understands budget and local ordinance constraints, and finds creative solutions to design challenges. Here is what you should expect from your design-build partner and a peek behind the curtain on how we help clients design their dream kitchen.
Asking The Right Questions To Understand Your Dream Kitchen Wants And Needs
You have ideas about what you want from a kitchen remodel. You may even have a list of needs and wants. But how does that translate into a kitchen that solves existing problems and will be a space you enjoy for years? A good design partner will know the right questions to ask to get to the heart of what you are looking for. For instance, there may be space in your kitchen that is being underutilized. Could it be used for seating, storage, or a new feature like a butler's pantry or beverage station?
Our first step is to understand your pain points. What is not working? What do you like about the space? What is missing that you have always wished for?
Asking questions is also an excellent time to register expectations. A renovation, especially one as central to a warm and functional home as a kitchen, is exciting. The possibilities seem endless. Asking the right questions helps you, as the homeowner, establish your priorities and understand what the project's scope will mean for you. In addition to what the finished project will look like and accomplish for you, there are questions about the building process. How long will your kitchen be out of service? Is there a way to set up a temporary kitchen? Should you plan on staying with family or renting somewhere else for some time? Understanding the process will help you get to the finish line with as much enthusiasm as when you first thought about this kitchen remodel.
Our clients use a questionnaire to hone in on your ideal kitchen. But we also try to listen and probe for concerns you might need to know. Suppose you are used to going to the basement for pantry items or for small appliances that just don't fit in the kitchen. In that case, it might not even register as a concern initially. The ideal kitchen design gives you what you need where you need it. By asking the right questions and listening well, an excellent design-build partner will draw out the obvious and hidden needs and wants.
Matching Your Budget With Your Dream Kitchen Remodel
One of the biggest questions any homeowner faces is: what is possible within this budget? From smaller-scale changes to completely removing the old kitchen, a good design partner will help you understand what is possible within your budget. They will also help you find ways to stretch that budget to maximize the impact on the finished kitchen.
One term to consider here is "cost efficiency." What materials and building practices will get you the ideal results as you look to make the most of your kitchen renovation budget? For example, a kitchen area might be reimagined and reconfigured as a coffee station rather than fully gutting that area and starting from scratch. Your budget must work hard, solving for workflow, storage, and a balance of function and fun while entertaining. A design-build firm that has worked in New England for decades should understand what materials and good workmanship are.
What happens when your ideals and budget are out of synch? Your design-build partners should be able to help you problem-solve around budget. This may mean prioritizing wants and needs to cover most of your design checklist or adjusting your budget to check every box on the wishlist.
As you research potential design-build partners, look for people who listen from the start. Asking the right questions is great, but listening deeply and finding the best solutions is the path to crafting your dream kitchen while managing the renovation budget.
Thinking Beyond The Budget In Crafting Your Dream Kitchen
Another major consideration beyond budget is zoning. Work with a design-build firm familiar with the zoning in your New England community. Established relationships and an understanding of the local building codes will create a smoother kitchen remodeling process.
This is another time when having someone in your corner with a body of knowledge in local zoning and best building practices will help you weigh your options when you think, "Getting this kitchen done the way we want it is impossible." A firm with deep skills and knowledge will help find solutions when side yard setbacks, added square footage, historic preservation, and other zoning concerns become challenging.
When we present a design to a client, we know we have done our homework regarding staying within budget and working within the constraints of local zoning. We know with high certainty that what we are proposing can be done.
When we meet with clients for initial consultations, we take notes and share them with them. This helps clarify what we have heard, and we invite the client to review and make any desired changes. Taking time to write things down and clarify helps everyone get on the same page so the design is aligned with your priorities and your budget.
The Right Plan Means Few/No Surprises In A Kitchen Renovation
We present a client with a proposal after doing the research and sharing a detailed plan with pricing and scope of work. When asked the right questions, solutions are found that align with budget and zoning laws. The end result is a client excited about their dream kitchen and how it will transform the experience of living in their home.
To learn more about the kitchen renovation process, please read our eBook, “The Kitchen Design Guide for Style, Functionality and Entertaining Joy” And if you are ready to speak about your next renovation, please schedule a home renovation discovery session.
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