Work out your budgetThe price of a kitchen can vary dramatically. You could spend 35k on a kitchen but then on the other hand you could spend 5k in the same space. Your budget is a critical starting point. Don't be afraid to tell a kitchen designer your budget any decent designer will design to a budget. If you are worried that the designer will just spend your budget unnecessarily then gain a few different quotes and see where you get most for your money.
Shop Around Gain more than one quote and visit kitchen showrooms. Different designers have different ideas and can give you inspiration. It might be you like one idea from one designer and another idea form another. Neither are necessarily right or wrong at the end of the day its your kitchen and its what works best for you.
Appoint a kitchen company & fitter Once you have shopped around and decided on the basic design decide on which company to use and who is doing what. Some people have there kitchen supplied by one company but get someone else to fit it. Remember though each company needs to be able to work with each other. If problems arise they may have to talk with each other to get the end result you want.
Finalise the design Don't be afraid to make changes work with your designer. Most kitchen company's now use 3D design programmes. With these types of programmes you can chop and change see what oak worktops look like with cream doors then see what they would look like with blue doors etc. Its worth while taking the time to sit with the designer while he does it that way you can see the changes there and then.
Work out an installation plan When you have decided who will be fitting the kitchen work out a plan. There are a few things to take into consideration will there be gas work, electrical work building works are you going to do the decorations etc etc. By now you should have a good idea what works are to be done and who is doing them but be sure have everything in writing as to what is included and by who. If you are employing the different trades your self then remember it is your job to project manage and get the right trades in at the right time.
Decide on a date to start Most companies will work on a lead time this could be as little as 2 weeks but as much as 2 months. If a company tells you we will start Monday then be wary this will mean the kitchen is coming from stock and why have they not got anything else to do. A company may not be able to confirm this straight away as they will have to check stock and schedules from there suppliers but it will give them something to work to.
Pay a deposit It is quite normal to pay a deposit upfront. Kitchens are normally made to order so once your kitchen has been made the kitchen company would be left with a kitchen they cant sell if you decide not to go ahead this leaving them making a lost. I would never recommend paying it all upfront deposits can range from 25% to 65% I would personally pay no more than that. I would also not pay for any of the installation works upfront, why should you pay for works that are not done.
Be ready on the start day This is probably the most exciting bit but most disrupting bit. Have all your cupboards cleared out ready for the fitters to start. Be friendly to the fitters they will be the key to the perfect end result. A cup of tea always goes along way.
Taking Delivery This may not be the day the fitters start. Discuss with the fitters what will happen when the kitchen turns up for instance where will it go. If you have a garage can you store it there while it being fitted do you need to take delivery after the old one has been taken out so it can go straight in the kitchen. The last thing you want is for the kitchen to be stored in front of the TV or in the kids bedroom. Normally at this point you would be asked to pay for the kitchen in full. Remember you are paying for what you have received.
Installing the kitchen Talk with your fitters throughout the installation ask them questions. If you see something you don't like or are unsure about bring it up it will be easier to sort it there and then rather than at the end. Communication is the best thing. Once all the work is complete say thank you, I know it sounds daft but everyone likes recognition and to feel like they have done a good job. If you need help in the future they will always respond better to someone they like.
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