DIY vs. Pro

So a friend has commented that you can save thousands of dollars by designing and contracting for the kitchen yourself? Indeed, many consumers shopping for a kitchen initially think they can save money by directly buying the design from one source, the cabinetry and other materials from a second source, and the installation from a third. In reality, the ultimate price that’s paid is usually about the same, and sometimes a great deal more, than if one source furnished all three items!

 

This line of reasoning underestimates the complexity of a kitchen design renovation project ... all the details involved and the services required to communicate, coordinate, control, and supervise those details. It’s these services that minimize the extra costs incurred through delays, omissions, errors, corrections, after-thoughts, and future repairs. Think of them as one big insurance policy.

 

When separate suppliers are involved, rarely do they want - or need - to extend themselves beyond what they are furnishing. After all, they are not being paid for it! You put yourself and your project at risk three ways: (1) important details may not be conveyed between the separate suppliers, creating problems once the project starts, (2) when problems do arise, each party is likely to blame the other and no one will want to assume the costs of correction, and (3) caught in the middle, you may incur the emotional costs of aggravation, turmoil, and tension.

 

In some cities, there are a few special companies that may only furnish the kitchen design and cabinets. Don’t eliminate them from consideration. While they may not actually contract for the installation, the consumer risks are still minimized because they help select and/or supervise qualified craftsmen to do the job.

 

You may wonder just what kind of professional services are required to assure yourself of a quality job at a good value. From my experience, the best results are achieved when the following 10 services are furnished by your single remodeling source:

 

•  Needs Analysis - done thoroughly by trained experts in your home.
• Creative Design - again, by trained, experienced professionals who plan the entire space and involve your ideas.
• Consulting - objective counseling in all aspects of the project ... and beyond what may be actually furnished in your contractor’s agreement.
• Cost Options - to give you the flexibility of choice that you deserve.
• Documentation - detailed drawings, cost accountability, written specifications, and contract.
• Technical Review - to double-check the details before the products are ordered to avoid mistakes, oversights, and delays.
• Purchasing System - includes extra shop drawings and verification procedures.
• Project Management - scheduling and supervision, performed by someone other than your Sales Designer, that makes for a smoother installation.
• Installation - by qualified, reliable, courteous, and neat craftsmen.
• Job Completion System - written procedures to finish off the “punch list” expeditiously.

Depending upon the philosophies and performance standards of the professionals submitting proposals, you may pay anywhere from a little to a lot more money to receive all these services. But remember, you usually get what you pay for! The more services you buy and pay for at time of contract, the more successful your project will be. Indeed, these professional services will make a night-and-day difference not only with the quality and value of the project, but with your feeling of pride of ownership. That alone is worth any extra investment of doing business with a true kitchen remodeling professional!