Take the dread out of your home building project by hiring the right team.

When renovating your kitchen or bath, where do you begin? With a kitchen/bath designer? A builder? An Interior Designer? An Architect? Getting started can be overwhelming and intimidating.

If you’re thinking a minor renovation would suffice, where room layout and size works and the relationship to adjacent rooms is adequate, but the space simply needs aesthetic updating, then a kitchen/bath designer may be the right choice. You can typically find this service at most local companies that provide and install cabinetry. However an interior designer can help augment these services where new selections are needed; From color and material selections, interior furnishings, decorative lighting and all the important final touches. No matter how wonderful an empty room may be designed, there’s nothing like the “Wow Factor” that the services of a talented interior designer can bring to a space.

A builder is critical for coordinating the work that a remodel requires while an interior designer helps the finished product really shine.

A builder is a integral part of your team if you’re changing anything beyond just the cabinets and countertops. Their role is critical in coordinating all of the trades that are involved in a remodel – and there can be many! Kitchens and baths are the most labor intensive rooms in a house. If you start with the builder first, depending on the scope of the project, they may direct you to an architect to develop the designs and prepare drawings needed for a building permit.

The best place to start if you’re wanting to look at the “big picture” and think outside the box, is with the right architect. If you have the slightest doubt about your space, this is where you should start. Ask your local cabinet shops and builders for a recommendation for a full service design firm. Then take the time to interview them and determine the right fit. Ensure the company you hire can do more than just the basic plans, as not all provide this service. The right architect will see you through the whole process. They will start by reviewing your wants & needs, discuss budget numbers based on past experiences, and examine the existing space. A plan will then be developed. From there, essential selections for the designs will be coordinated; plumbing fixtures, material finishes, appliances etc. These selections are then incorporated into the design – conveyed in elevation drawings. A talented architect well-versed in interior spaces can also meld cabinet designs with interior architecture design (such as trim details, ceiling plans, tile transitions etc). With this information, builders can then prepare accurate price estimations and cabinet proposals can then be obtained from several suppliers.

Kitchens and baths are the most commonly remodeled rooms. Developing a plan to convey your tastes and needs is best left to a professional.

So, where do you begin when considering a kitchen or bath remodel? The answer is…it depends! But, in more cases than not, starting with the right design professional will result in a well designed and satisfying transition.