The Process
Where Do I start??
This is the most frequently asked question of Ultimate Designs. How do we answer you? By taking this first step and visiting my website & contacting me – your guide.
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Let’s start
It can be overwhelming to know just where to start so we have put together some guidelines to help make things easier.
Preparation & knowledge can assist in any process – Always be prepared!
You need to get some ideas first. Start looking in Home décor magazines, & websites. Keep a file folder with pictures and notes to have with you. Even visiting your local builders model homes can help you see what is available to you & what usual is up to date. You’ll begin to notice things about kitchens that you never noticed before.
Ask friends & family what they like & dislike about their kitchens. What would they change & must have if they were to do a renovation.
Also if you aren’t a “Do it yourself” type then make sure you have selected a contractor to do the renovation work. As a designer, I have developed strong relationships with contractors to make this an easy process.
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Investment
As you can imagine, Kitchen cabinetry & thus renovations vary in price depending upon size, style, species, colour and the scope of the job.
Remember this investment has the highest return at the time of resale – What sells your house usually it the kitchen & Baths.
Fortunately, we have a variety of Custom cabinet suppliers to fit any ones idea of a fair investment for their cabinetry. A professional designer can be creative & design a unique environment and work with your budget to achieve your dream environment.
While we cannot tell you exactly at first meeting what to budget for your kitchen we can give you some industry ideas of what to expect. This is base upon the scope of the work, what is being replaced, added or eliminated (appliances, flooring, construction renovations, plumbing & electrical). These points have a relationship to the over all investment.
It isn’t important to have an exact budget but it is important to have an allowance prepared when you meet with your designer so we don’t over design or under design your new kitchen.
We have found that 10% - 25% of the market value of your home is a good basis to start.
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RENOVATION PAYBACK POTENTIALS
Bathroom Renovation: 75-100%
Kitchen Renovation: 75-100%
- Basement Renovation: 50-75%
- Recreation Room Addition: 50-75%
- Fireplace Installation: 50-75%
- Flooring: 50-75%
- Interior Painting: 50-100%
- Exterior Painting: 50-100%
- Roof Shingle Replacement: 50-80%
- Furnace/Heating System: 50-80%
- Window/Door Replacement: 50-75%
- Central Air Conditioning: 25-75%
- Landscaping: 25-50%
Statistics From: Appraisal Institute of Canada’s 2004 Home Renovation Survey
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Measuring & Getting an Estimate
That’s me! I will come out to your home and meet with you. I will do my own measure and get the “lay of the Land”. I am able to see how you are in your home. I am able to see what can be done, needs to be done and all the possibilities. This information results in obtaining the information I need to design your Dream environment. A small consultation fee will be expected at time of the visit based upon time and travel.
You have done your homework, you are prepared with research & gotten a feel for what you like & dislike. Now, the time for your home visit has arrived. Bring that ever-growing file with pictures & notes that you have made to the table. If you have an idea of what type of colour scheme you would like it would be a good time to bring in those samples.
At your appointment your designer will sit down with you and go over wants, wishes, and desires. Questions will be asked by both you & the designer to achieve the information required to design your new environment. After the designer has gotten an idea about what you want & don’t want they can begin to design your Dream kitchen.
This step may take approximately 10 days. When the designer, has finished the design(s) they will call for a return visit to a cabinetry showroom or your home to present them to you. (I have privileges at local showrooms for cabinetry, appliances and other fixtures.)
As the designer will have “20/20” drawings & sometimes an estimate ready for the cabinetry, countertop and kitchen fixtures. Contractors will be arranged for a home visit once a design has been accepted. An accurate design results in an accurate estimate from the contractor and his trades.
After the meeting with a designer it may take a few more visits to finalize all the little details such as organizational accessories, countertop products, hardware & mouldings, etc.
Once all designs are approved and contracts are signed the kitchen will be ordered upon receipt of the deposit. Production time may vary depending upon the time of year usually between 8-12 weeks. Then allow another 3-5 days for the installation depending upon the complexity of the installation. (Add 14 business days for any granite, solid surface countertops after templating).
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Preparation Work
Remember: Be prepared – Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
After all the decisions have been made its time to agree upon who is doing the “dirty” work.
If it is you, below is an outline schedule to help the process along. If you selected a general contractor he will work on a similar process to keep the job on time and schedule.
Step 1: Remove old cabinets, disconnect existing plumbing etc
Step 2: Remove/add walls, bulkheads (if necessary)
Step 3: Remove old floor
Step 4: Rough in electrical, plumbing
Step 5: Dry wall, ceiling repair (if necessary)
Step 6: Prime and Paint first coat
Step 7: Install new floor
Step 8: Install cabinetry, install/template for countertops (if necessary)
Step 9: Trim window doors, final paint, and decorative backsplash
Step10: Finish plumbing, electrical and appliances
Step 11: Organize your finished kitchen
Step 12: Cook your first meal in you completed Dream kitchen – ENJOY!
As you know things don’t always go as planned, Contractors don’t have x-ray vision, illness and life plain and simple can interfere in this process and it is SO important to give yourself some “wiggle” room for possible delays. We will have approximately 6-8 weeks which is plenty of time to complete all the preparation before your cabinetry is installed.
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Completion
After the preparation work is done, it is time for the installation of your beautiful cabinetry.
We ask that you remove the appliances from the kitchen before cabinets are delivered if this has not been done already or arrange with the appliance company to deliver and place in a safe place not in the kitchen. This may result in a return trip for the appliance supplier once the granite or solid surface tops are installed to have them set up the appliances.
Please allow 3-4 days for the installation of the cabinetry, more if it’s a large or complicated kitchen. Our installers will not rush through your kitchen installation but will take the time to do the best quality job possible.
If your countertop is a solid surface, Granite* countertop has been ordered it will be templated after the cabinets are installed. Then it will take approximately 7-10 business days to fabricate and install. Although this is not always convenient, it is necessary in order to properly form your countertop. If a sink is involved you should discuss with your contractor a temporary sink set up possibly using your old sink in a laundry room for example. *NOTE: Granite is selected personally by the homeowners two weeks prior to the installation to guarantee your slab selection.
At times you may find that you have a door or mouldings that is not suitable or requires a replacement. Should this occur our service representatives will get you your replacements as soon as possible. We ask that you allow 3 weeks for replacements that need to be reordered. This however, will not hinder the use of your kitchen and a service technician will be out to see you as soon as possible.
Now, the best part everything is completed, items are all in their allocated locations and you stand back and take in your Ultimate Design kitchen!
You DREAMED IT!
I DESIGNED IT!
We DID IT! Together! Congratulations!
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