Kitchen Remodel: how to find a designer to figure out floorplan?

Question

My parents want to enclose their 1-car garage and make it part of the house. Part of this remodel will include re-doing the kitchen, laundry, and creating another living space. They could really use someone to show them what's possible with the space they have - similar to the HGTV shows that give you 3 options at different price ranges. They live near Nashville, TN. Only catch is they aren't mega rich - how much would this type of design service cost? More or less than $2K? And where can they find someone who does this, as opposed to interior design on existing structure? Thanks!

Answer 1

Your local home center or lumberyard may be the best place for your parents to go to find the contractor that is right for them. They also may offer the design service or will know the architect or designer that is best for your parents needs.

Planning the design ahead of time with your parents is also important - as a good designer will point a series of questions right back to you. Planning and understanding your goals with your family is very important.

As to the cost for the design service $2000 should cover you well. Some design contractors will even provide the service for you - a architect is a reliable design source as well.

Planning the kitchen design is the most important thing you can do now. Make sure the design of your kitchen is exactly the design you are after - before starting any remodeling as changing walls when installing the kitchen could double the cost of the project... NO - Plan the design now instead!

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Free Garage Designs

http://www.homeplansforfree.com/Free_New...

Wishing you the best!

Answer 2

Look through your local yellow pages for remodel specialists.  Then check the better business bureau for any you are considering.  Contractors will generally estimate a job for you at no cost, but things tend to escalate as you go unless you make perfectly clear the things you want and how you want them.  Just to give you an idea, we remodeled our kitchen with new cabinets, ceramic tile flooring, and Silestone countertops.  The cabinets were nearly $1500, the countertops were almost $2000 and the flooring was about $900 and our kitchen is not that large.  That isn't including our new appliances, sheetrock, lighting, etc.  You won't be able to do what you're hoping to for only $2000, but get a few estimates anyway.  You might be able to do some of what you want to improve the space on a tight budget.

Answer 3

Your parents will need to find a contractor. One suggestion would be to contact a real estate agency for a referral to a reputable contractor. Unfortunately, enclosing a garage will probably be closer to $10,000 rather than $2,000, unless they do the work themselves.

Answer 4

Maybe IKEA? They have cheap kitchens and help plan them too...but I think that they will find that $2000 will get them very little with having to insulate, make a real floor and walls, run the wiring and pipes etc....