Gutting kitchen questions

I was supposed to redo my kitchen 4 years ago but life kinda got in the way. But I am FINALLY going to get my new kitchen. Problem is I don't know where to start.

I have someone who will do all the labor (except plumbing and electric) for FREE
But he doesn't do designing. He wants me to get cabinets from the place he recommended (really great prices) but there's no designer there.

So now I'm kinda lost. He do I start this project? Do I pick out cabinets and then find a designer? Or do I find someone to design then pick out cabinets?
Either way where do I find such designer?
If I go to a kitchen place they will ony design if I buy their cabinets.
Home Depot has not worked for me. I will be knocking down walls and I have several different possible ways to do the kitchen I just need someone to draw up the different possibilities so I can "see" them.

So bottom line is where do I begin?

Thanks if you read this long confusing post!

Re: Gutting kitchen questions

Most sites have the NKBA (?) planning tool on their websites, so you can put in the dimensions of your kitchen and play around with the layout yourself.


ETA: Consumers has the link to the planning tool on their website.

Message edited 5/29/2013 12:34:33 PM.

Gutting kitchen questions

I would go to home depot or lowe's and sit down with someone.

Gutting kitchen questions

I would price cabinets at a bunch of places. I would not buy cabinets after just doing a design with an online design program.

HD, Lowes and Consumers will all design and measure for you and then you can have your guy install.

Re: Gutting kitchen questions

we went to Home Depot and they were amazing. Is there a reason you don't want to buy their cabinets? They sell a few different lines.

Honestly it's best to go somewhere where the person designing the kitchen knows the cabinets in and out because certain lines have certain size cabinets, different options, etc. and the designer will need to know that in order to properly design your kitchen.

Re: Gutting kitchen questions

I used consumers twice and my cabinets came out great! They come and measure and thence a design. Then you sit with them and you can discuss changes and ideas you have. They were uncertain about something and came back to re-measure which I liked. I wouldn't get cabinets without a designer.

Re: Gutting kitchen questions

I gut reno my kitchen and bath at the same time and hired an NKBA kitchen and bath designer to help. I paid 2k for the service (designer did try to sell me some expensive cabinets from preferred vendor but I declined) and was really pleased with the design.

Because we were rearranging the kitchen/bath layout (changing the plumbing and electrical), the designer's expertise was invaluable. I highly recommend checking out the NKBA site if a pro in your area if you are changing your kitchen layout.

If you're not redoing the layout, just go to Lowes or HD and prepare to spend 1-2 hours with one of the kitchen designers (you can request one who's affiliated with NKBA if possible) and get them to design your cabinet layout for you.

FM me if you need anything.

Re: Gutting kitchen questions

Whatever you do, your best investment is the design - a professional designer will save you money by avoiding costly mistakes you may have to redo. We (and most certified designers) will sell our design only if you want to shop for cabinets elsewhere. If you purchase the cabinetry from us, that design purchase price / fee will come off the price of the cabinetry - thus making the design service free. Most showrooms with professional designers work this way. If nothing more, bring in your rough dimensions, a few photos, and pick our brains in the showroom. We offer a free in-store consult. See this article:

5 tips to get the most mileage from your free kitchen design consultation

Hope this helps