Getting what you want out of your kitchen
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008Remodeling a kitchen is the greatest challenge any renovator faces. There are so many decisions to be made: what shape should the kitchen be, what appliances should be used and where should they go, and what materials and cabinets should be installed. These decisions, complicated themselves, are also complicated by the fact that kitchens play such a crucial role in home valuation. A home with a thoughtfully designed kitchen will garner up to 50% more than an identical home with a shabby one.
That’s why I tell all of my clients that while it makes sense to save money where possible on the usual subcontractors and designers (decorators, landscape architects, etc), hiring a kitchen designer is tantamount to hiring an architect when it comes to a home remodel, since both play an equal role in increasing the value of your home. Whether it’s a Hamptons hideaway or a NYC apartment, hiring a kitchen designer will not only more or less guarantee that your kitchen investment is recouped in your home’s appreciation; a skilled designer will also make it easier for you to get the look and functionality you want from your kitchen, for a better price than you might be able to do it for yourself.
Want custom cabinetry? All good kitchen designs use it, but a kitchen designer can get it to you for close the price of factory cabinets. Want a sleek Italian design or a contemporary kitchen feel? The right kitchen designer will listen to you to ensure that your kitchen remodel ends in a result that pleases you and your aesthetic sensibilities. So next time you visit your banker for a loan on a flip, I recommend telling them you plan to hire a kitchen designer. Doing so makes their loan less risky as the chance of a good payout for you increases. Translation: hiring a kitchen designer may get you a better rate and will definitely make you money.