Continued From Page 1

Kitchen Remodeling
The truth is that even a “minor” kitchen renovation can be a domestic nightmare. No matter how well planned it is or how capable the professionals involved are, tearing out a kitchen or even just replacing a worn countertop can become a disruption of theatrical proportions. Why bother to sugarcoat it? It’s better to be prepared for the inconvenience before you begin than to be surprised in the middle, when you have no sink and only half of the cabinets have been delivered. Good advance planning does help, however. And just keep reminding yourself that the payoff is a beautiful new kitchen that will last a lot longer than that construction headache! go to the pros

Working With a Kitchen Designer
If you want to paint the kitchen cabinets, change their hardware, install a kitchen backsplash, and call it a day, you can certainly take care of those improvements yourself. Tackling a complete kitchen face-lift, on the other hand, is a job for the pros.

Who does it?
So many different trades are involved in a kitchen makeover. Licensed professionals such as plumbers and electricians (whom we have already discussed) may have to do complicated rerouting of gas, plumbing, and electrical lines. Many other problems may have to be solved by experienced builders (see page 109 for important reminders about working with builders). Cabinets are also challenging to install, especially if your walls and floor aren’t plumb and level. A carpenter knows how to measure, fit, adapt, shim, and shore cabinetry into less than perfect spaces. Because so many trades are involved in a kitchen renovation, I recommend that you hire a specialist in kitchen design if you are planning a full-scale change. Kitchen designers or architects have intimate knowledge of how kitchens function best as well as information about the latest products, materials, and appliances. Once you have a kitchen designer, you can supervise the tradespeople with the help of the designer and save money by not hiring a general contractor.

What should I look for in a kitchen designer?
Look for an independent Certified Kitchen Designer, or CKD. These professionals specialize in designing kitchens and are skilled at making the most of your available space and budget. They are also knowledgeable about the latest innovations in products and materials. In order to become a CKD, a designation administered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a designer must complete several years of training. A CKD designation is coveted in the industry, so requirements to earn them go far beyond space-planning ability and design talent. A certified designer has to understand building, construction, and mechanical and electrical systems. He or she has to know how to write specifications and draw plans that plumbers, electricians, and cabinet installers can interpret. They also have to be familiar with local building codes and safety and environmental regulations.