First off, decide which kind of professional assistance you need. Designers and contractors may share some overlap in their services, but overall they play different roles in creating a new space.
What to expect from a kitchen designer
A designer’s main role is to plan a home renovation project. If you know you want a change, but the creative vision or painstaking math (or both) of designing a new layout doesn’t come easily, a designer is your new best friend.
Expect a designer to help guide the style, plan layout, and recommend materials that harmonize into a kitchen that matches your taste. You can either hire an independent designer certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) or often pay a small fee for a design consultation through a home improvement store.
Expect a certified kitchen designer to come equipped with years of experience and the expertise to plan a new layout as well as recommend style and materials. An independent designer’s fees will often represent about 8-10% of project costs, so budget accordingly.
Home improvement stores, especially stores specializing in kitchen cabinets and fixtures, may have an in-house designer. This designer’s fees may be much lower, but the designer is navigating a line between sales rep and designer. Expect them to recommend their own products. There may also be more variation in experience, meaning some designers may not be able to plan a dramatically different layout.
What to expect from a contractor
A contractor’s primary area of expertise is sourcing materials and completing the work to build your new kitchen. Some contracting firms may have a designer on the team, and many experienced contractors have enough experience to offer an opinion on materials. Often, though, skipping directly to a contractor means the big design decisions are up to you.
Expect a contractor to provide materials (and help you narrow down your last few options to suit your preferences). Consider whether they are licensed and if they will take care of any permits you need, and make sure they carry insurance against accidents.
Contractors’ fees are typically in the range of 10-20% of your total renovation cost. The more involved the project is, and the higher liability there is for workers, the greater the percentage a contractor is likely to charge.
Financing for a designer and contractor
Altogether, a designer and contractor’s services are likely to make up at least 18% and as much as 30% of your kitchen renovation cost. If your kitchen remodels budget is $25,000, you may spend $7,500 on fees for these professionals.
Balancing your budget is as important as checking your contractor’s background and the designer’s portfolio. Before you sign a work contract, finalize your own plans to have funds handy at invoice time.
Some homeowners will find that a loan – either an unsecured loan like a personal loan or a secured loan like a HELOC – serves their needs. Others may worry about the impact of extra debt on their monthly budget. Drawing funds from home equity can be a better option for some homeowners than taking a loan. An interest-free Home Value agreement like RealtyGo’s offers additional flexibility by not requiring a traditional monthly repayment structure. Remodeling your kitchen can be an expensive and time-consuming project, so some homeowners appreciate being able to focus on one financial goal at a time.
