There is a surprisingly good AND affordable way to have access to my many years of design expertise including tapping into all that I’ve seen and done in the industry and that is to consider consulting with me on your kitchen design. Here’s why.
Before I tell you the advantages of this service, I have to say that I’m compelled to write this because of recent consultations I’ve had, several of them, primarily with millennial men which were delightful. I LOVE LOVE LOVE consulting with people. I LOVE hearing about their plans, the issues they need to address and helping them work through whatever they need help with. It’s a very special feeling when, at the end of our consultation, they are truly enlightened, more focused and have a path to move forward.
I ask my consultation clients to send me their information - images, docs, drawings, and to itemize their top 5 issues and after that, another 5 issues and we’ll see what we get to. This way, the clients get focused and I am well aware of their issues going into our discussion.
Just yesterday, I had a consultation with a man who sent me a floorplan with nothing in it at all, just overall dimensions, one photo of the empty space and a few words on what he was looking for. With just those two pieces of information, I spent quality time thinking about potential design solutions but also, I delved into my endless (several terabytes at least) kitchen images I’ve taken in the US and abroad including my own work, of course, to put together a small but focused group of images I thought he would respond to. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. He was able to envision some major design elements.
I care about every kitchen I touch, I really do - however it crosses my desk.
So, why would you hire a consultant? I could tell you in one sentence:
You need a kitchen design consultant because most people do a kitchen once, maybe twice in their lives. You need to get it right.
So much can be overlooked. There are kitchen designers and there are kitchen designers. The clearances, the mechanics, the wellness design issues, traffic flow, energy concerns, products, finishes, storage, appliance types and their locations, the social aspects of the kitchen design and so very much more, need to be considered and cared about by anyone who touches your kitchen plan. Some of the ideas I share are big, some small but efficient or creative, some very small but with a big impact. After many years problem solving, the ideas are many and are instantly accessed. My suggestions are based in practical, easily accessible yet highly creative solutions.
I’ve considered various prices for the one hour service to be honest. My peers who I communicate with frequently in our online groups tell me my fee should be doubled or tripled. My resume could could easily validate those pricing levels.
But, what I REALLY want to do is to reach those people, regardless of their budgets, who understand that purchasing my hourly consultation fee of $250 is a very small price to pay compared -
a) to the total price of the kitchen they are remodeling, even if the total budget is $10-15,000.
b) to the ability to gain access to my expertise especially if budget or logistics would not permit them to work with me beyond the consultation (although additional services are available)
c) to, once again, the knowledge that most people do a kitchen once or twice in their lives
d) and for those who know what they don’t know :D
So, I keep my fee reasonable, purposefully.
The conversation flows. It works best when both sides truly LISTEN. By listening, I gain critical information about my clients’ pain points. It’s a give and take, a balanced conversation, with an awareness on my end on moving the conversation forward productively and easily, always in a friendly manner.
Since, for the foreseeable future, I have suspended my previous work of ordering products such as cabinetry and all other kitchen related products, I’m finding that going back to basics - working with people, working on design solely, for the majority of my time, at every budget, is so very satisfying to me these days. Hopefully, I can help move you toward a wonderful kitchen in an hour!