Pointers for your next kitchen makeover

Hiring a kitchen designer
Ellen says you can design your own kitchen if you're on a budget, if the materials and equipment in your room have just given up, and if the plan is to take everything out but put new things back in the same spots. "But you lose out on the opportunity to have a professional with a fresh set of eyes, years of experience and knowledge of the latest developments in design improve your space in ways you wouldn't think possible," she explains.

The concerns the consumer has about working with kitchen designers are: Will they create the most expensive solution because they're money hungry? Will they specify products because they have an allegiance to the manufacturer rather than defer to what I want or can afford?

According to Ellen, you can be confident about the professionalism of a designer if you can answer yes to the following questions:

1 Has the firm or designer practiced in your town for several years? That's almost a guarantee they don't overcharge or they wouldn't still be in business.

2 Has he or she invited you to see past work and offered many references?

3 Does the designer have a state-of-the-art, well-maintained showroom?

4 Does he or she have work showcased in local show houses or community projects?

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