Kitchen retailers and showrooms usually have designers on staff. But the fees are sometimes deducted from the overall project cost. As a result, according to Waterbury, Connecticut, designer Marsha Fried, showroom customers do not typically end up paying for design work directly. It is part of the cost of the project. There are some designers who work as independents.
Customers pay a fee for design work and take the plans to a builder, cabinetmaker or retailer.
What these designers sell is the work itself, not the cabinets that go with it. The group can supply you with the names of certified kitchen designers in your area as well as a helpful kitchen planning guide. Complicated projects where major structural alterations are likely may call for an architect. Fees will total 8 to 10 percent of total construction costs, but the level of expertise can be very high, particularly when it comes to blending alterations with the rest of the house. When looking for a designer or architect, ask for a portfolio of past projects as well as references.