Have you ever wondered why kitchen designers ask what your kitchen budget is? Does this question make you feel caught off guard or uneasy? Do you wonder why designers can’t just give you a straight answer on a quote? If so, read on.
If you have updated your kitchen recently, you will have no doubt be in contact with multiple kitchen designers and renovators. Amongst the first questions asked will be:
- Have you got kitchen measurements?
2. What styles do you like?
3. What is your kitchen budget?
There are different factors to consider here which may make you feel a little overwhelmed. Considering that a household updates their kitchen every 10-15 years (on average), it is no wonder why you want to do your research to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. Researching kitchens takes time. Learning about different styles, materials, colours, and finishes can be enough to make your head explode. Then that fear can creep in, “if I don’t know what I’m talking about how do I know that my kitchen designer isn’t trying to squeeze every last penny out of me?” or “I don’t know anything about kitchens, I’m too embarrassed to even give a figure in case it is nowhere near that cost of the kitchen that I want.”
At Kitchen Design House, we want to let you know that these are valid concerns, many of our clients experienced these thoughts when they first started researching different kinds of kitchens and kitchen designers. From our experience, many people seem reluctant to tell us their budget. I want to ensure you that if you go to a reputable kitchen designer and they ask for your budget this is because they need your budget to design your kitchen to suit your lifestyle with the best materials possible within your budget.
Still unconvinced? We have compiled a list of 3 reasons why kitchen designers ask for your budget.
1. Designers want to know your budget to offer you the best materials and finishes to suit your lifestyle needs and wants
Whether you have a low, mid-range or high budget will influence your kitchen designer’s decision when selecting materials and finishes. There are enough materials and finishes to suit everyone’s affordability so you should never feel uncomfortable when suggesting a budget. If you are made to feel uncomfortable by any kitchen designer we recommend taking yourself and your money elsewhere. Designing your kitchen is a collaborative process. Your kitchen designer should make you feel at ease and listened to. Quick tip, when renovating your kitchen we recommend spending 10-15% of your house value when looking at how much to put aside for your kitchen budget.
“I’ve been to see two different kitchen designers and they have quoted me two completely different prices for the same kitchen. Why is this?”
Great Question. Many kitchen designers can design a kitchen to look a certain way. However, depending on the materials used to make your kitchen will influence the cost. A quartz worktop will cost a lot more than a laminate worktop, however, you can buy a laminate worktop that is manufactured to look like quartz, and to the untrained eye one may never know the difference when looking at it. A good designer will recommend certain materials based on your budget but also your lifestyle. If you have young children they should recommend that you choose hard-wearing, durable materials that will last longer. Remember, the average person changes their kitchen every 10-15 years. If you are a retired couple with the same kitchen budget, a designer might recommend that you spend more on nice appliances or may recommend a stone worktop because they may be suited to your lifestyle and how you have specified you will use your kitchen.
2. Saves You Time
There is nothing more disheartening than not knowing a client’s kitchen budget and having to guess how much to spend knowing that once you show the client and state the costs they mention that they have a much higher/lower budget. This affects our creativity. It also wastes your time due to constant emails being sent back and forward between you and your designer asking for redesigns. Yes, it is completely normal for you to ask your designer to change a feature, or a finish as your kitchen will not be perfect the first time, but, asking your designer to redesign the entire kitchen to fit your budget is a waste of everyone’s time.
Designers spend many hours not only designing your kitchen but working out a quote for your kitchen too. This takes a long time especially if your kitchen is bespoke made. Every element within your kitchen needs to be measured, cost, and added up in order to get your quote. This includes carcasses, doors, worktops, etc you get the idea. We recommend stating your budget in the first place and both you and your designer could spend on selecting the fun elements such as finishes.
3. Builds Trust Between You and Your Designer
Your kitchen designer gets to know you and your lifestyle. They know what you want and what you need. Knowing that you are serious about the process your designer will want to design you the best kitchen possible within your budget. Believe me, there is no better feeling when showing a client their future kitchen and seeing how ecstatic they are with the design. Think back to when you were in school and you drew a picture and your teacher showed the class. It’s the same for us every time.
Designers also have connections. Building a good working relationship with a client may result in them giving you tips, tricks, or recommendations for other players in the industry. You know you will be well looked after.
A quick tip is to give your kitchen designer a list of essentials to include in your house, for example, a kitchen island or a wine fridge. This way your designer knows what they have to include and what elements they would recommend based on your style preferences.
To summarize, the benefits of giving your budget to a reputable kitchen designer are:
- Designers can provide you with the best kitchen design and materials within your budget
- Saves you time
- Builds trust between you and your designer
Tips:
If your designer makes you feel uncomfortable when you mention your budget, find somebody else
Spend between 10-15% of your household worth on a new kitchen
Give your designer a list of essentials for your kitchen, for example, an island. That way your designer knows where to focus the budget and anything else the designer adds to your kitchen can be scaled back.
Conclusion
There you have it! 3 reasons why you should tell your designer your budget. Once you have decided on your budget, we recommend doing some research to get an idea of what kitchen styles you like. If you are looking for inspiration check our blog on 5 biggest kitchen trends in 2022 or check out our Instagram page.
If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen why not get in touch with one of our designers at Kitchen Design House.
Let us know your thoughts on the blog in the comments below.