How do I find and choose a designer?
Consider the company you keep. With hundreds of quality cabinet lines on the market, chances are the designer you select will have a reputable product that fits your needs. Instead of going for the label, you should select a designer who you feel comfortable with, has a stellar reputation, and understands your needs and goals.

How do you find the right one? Interview, interview, interview.
It may seem like a lot of effort, but when you consider the investment you’re making, doing it right the first time is a priority. Create an interview pool by starting with the Cabinets.com Professional Locator, a state-by-state listing of independent kitchen and bath design firms. You can link to the Web sites of firms near you to find out more about their services. You can also contact the National Kitchen and Bath Association for a list of designers in your area and ask friends for recommendations.

To first meet with a designer, you can either schedule an appointment or just drop by a showroom. In your initial consultation, the designer will gauge how seriously you want a new kitchen and how interested you are in his or her firm. The designer will also want to get a sense of what styles and products you prefer and how much you want to spend.

Use Cabinets.com as a resource to help you prepare for such questions as:

• Where did you hear about us?
• Have you looked anywhere else?
• Have you designed a new kitchen before?
• Is your new kitchen part of a new construction project or is it a remodeling job?
• What does your kitchen look like now?
• Do you have a sketched layout with measurements or an architectural blueprint of your existing or planned kitchen?
• What do you want to change about your kitchen?
• What general style do you like—contemporary, traditional, or eclectic?
• What is the style of your home?
• Have you looked around the showroom?
• What are some of the styles and products that you like, either in the showroom or that you’ve seen on the Internet, in publications, or elsewhere?
• Do you have an idea of how much you want to spend?
• When do you want the new kitchen to be ready?
• Do you have any questions?

You should ask:

• Can I check out the showroom? The model kitchens can give you an idea of the styles you prefer and of the quality of the firm’s products and services. The products on display typically showcase the best work of the manufacturers represented by the firm and the most popular styles and colors. If nothing catches your eye, ask the salesperson to give you an overview of the firm’s full range of products before you decide to go elsewhere.
• Which cabinet manufacturers do you represent?
• Can you do special orders? If you find a cabinet in a magazine or even another showroom that you have to have, would the firm be willing to work with you to coordinate that element with the others you select from its offerings?
• Do you specialize in any particular style, product, or material?
• Do I feel personally comfortable with the design staff?
• What are your payment options?