Buying Your Kitchen

3: Set a budget

 This is often a thorny issue for people. Do not imagine that this must be a secret or that by telling the kitchen maker how much you are prepared to spend you are somehow ‘giving the game away’ and putting yourself at a disadvantage. Before he/she can design a kitchen for you the designer must have an idea of how much money is available. With kitchens ranging from $4,000 to $40,000 and more, the designer must have some insight into your budget to plan something that you might actually buy. There is no point in playing the ‘let them guess and see what they come up with’ game. You are wasting both your time and theirs. Decide realistically and honestly how much you are willing to spend and inform the people who will be quoting accordingly. You should know by now how much your appliances will cost so this can be factored in.

4: Do your research

• Identify the kitchen makers in your area, their addresses and contact details. Write a list.
• Speak with your friends and acquaintances. Let everybody know that you are planning a new kitchen. Find people who have bought a kitchen recently and talk to them about their experience.
• Read the magazines; acquaint yourself with styles, colours and importantly, terminology. Learning the jargon will help you with the designer and it gives the impression that you know what you are about (which you will do by the time you have read this guide).
• Check the local papers for advertisements and articles. Sometimes there are features on home improvements and the companies involved.
• If you live in a rural area you may have to travel to a larger town or city to find a choice of kitchen makers.
• From your list and on the basis of your research choose at least three companies to approach, preferably more if you have the time.
• You might prefer to do some window-shopping before getting down to the business of shortlisting. It’s up to you but if you do, only use the time to help you decide whom you will eventually approach.

Now it’s time to visit some showrooms

Buying Your Kitchen - next

Kitchen Designers