[Battle Creek][Kalamazoo]
[Coldwater][Lansing]
[Jackson][Lapeer]
[Marshall]
 

Home Improvement Process This walkthrough shows you what to expect before, during, and after a visit to our kitchen showroom.

Remodeling Hints Tips to help you prepare for a kitchen remodeling project

Measuring For Your New Kitchen A step-by-step guide for drawing and measuring your kitchen.

Kitchen Planning Questionnaire A questionnaire geared to provide information that we can use to design a kitchen ideally suited for you and your family.
 
Home Improvement Process

GETTING STARTED
  1. Gather a scrapbook of notes, photos, and articles that you have collected.
  2. Get together with your family and ask them for their input and wish lists.
  3. Come up with a budget you can live with. Draw a rough sketch of your floor plan and take measurements (or, if building, get floor plan from architect or builder).
  4. If you would like, print and fill out the Kitchen Planning Guide.
  5. Call us to make an appointment, or stop into our showroom.
top

VISITING OUR SHOWROOM
  1. The first time you stop into our showroom we will...
  2. Answer any questions you may have.
  3. Review and/or assist you in establishing a budget.
  4. Discuss your scrapbook of ideas (if you have one).
  5. Discuss your floor plan (if you have one) and go over some design ideas.
  6. Discuss your plans for utilizing the room you will be remodeling.
top

IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE...
  1. We will come to your home and take measurements.
  2. We will create a design, and draft perspectives, elevations, and a floor plan.
  3. We will provide you with a price.
  4. We will set up a meeting for you to discuss the design and pricing and discuss any potential modifications you would like to make.
top

THE INSTALLATION PROCESS
  1. We have the staff to coordinate and complete your installation.
  2. If necessary, we will make arrangements with your builder, architect, and/or designer to coordinate the installation.
  3. To ensure a quality installation, we will meet the installer at your home to discuss the details of your plan and installation."
back to top
Remodeling Hints
  1. Cover doorways into other rooms with plastic.
  2. Pack everything that won't be needed into boxes. This will keep things dust-free.
  3. Keep essential items handy: basic food that can be microwaved, condiments, cereal, microwave-safe dishes and utensils, dishcloths, dishwasher soap, paper plates and cups, coffee, coffee pot and sugar/creamer, paper towels, napkins, and garbage bags.
  4. You will be without water in the kitchen for a short time. You may need to do dishes in another sink or the bathtub for awhile.
  5. Many contractors will wait until cabinets have arrived before tearing out your current cabinets. Be sure to clarify this point with your contractor.
  6. Set up the microwave and refrigerator in another area, along with a table for preparation.
  7. Stockpile restaurant coupons for the nights when you really want to eat out.
  8. Relax and rely on your kitchen designer. There will be a beautiful kitchen when all the dust is gone!!
back to top

Measuring For Your Kitchen

Below is a step-by-step guide for drawing and measuring your kitchen. Each step is color coded and matches the corresponding color in the sample drawing below. To make it easier to draw your kitchen we have provided a grid that can be printed and used as grid paper.

NOTE: If you are remodeling, do not include current cabinetry or other furniture that will not be kept, such as kitchen tables, in your measurements. NOTE: All of your measurements should be in inches. For example, if you measure a wall that is 10 feet, write it as 120" ( a quotation mark (") denotes inches ).

Sample Drawing


top

Step 1

Draw a rough outline of your kitchen. Use the following symbols in your drawing for doors and windows.



NOTE: For doorways with doors, draw the doorway according to which way the door swings.

top

Step 2

Draw in any obstructions such as radiators, pipes, sink plumbing, etc. that you either can not, or do not, want moved.

top

Step 3

  1. Beginning at the top left corner of your drawing measure to the first window, door, or wall. Continue clockwise around the room until each wall, window and door has been measured. Note: When measuring doors and windows the trim is considered part of the door or window. As shown in the drawing below, measure from the outside of the trim on one side to the outside of the trim on the other side.
  2. Measure the ceiling height and write it in the center of your drawing. Sometimes, especially with older homes, it is a good idea to take measurements in a few different areas of the kitchen. Ceiling heights, even in the same room, can sometimes vary by as much as a few inches.
  3. As shown in the drawing below, measure from the floor to the bottom of each window and also measure the overall window height. If you have printed these instructions, write the measurements in the table provided below.

top

Step 4
  1. Beginning at the top left of your drawing, label the windows "Window #1", "Window #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
  2. Again, beginning at the top left of your drawing, label the doors "Door #1", "Door #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
  3. Next to each wall, write the name of the adjacent room. If the wall is an "outside wall" write "exterior wall."
top

Step 5
  1. Measure any obstructions such as radiators, pipes, etc. that you either can not, or do not, want moved. If the obstruction is close to a wall, measure out from the wall to the edge of the obstruction.
  2. Measure from the second closest wall to the edge of the obstruction.
  3. If the obstruction does not span the full height of the room, measure the height of the obstruction.
top

Step 6 Final Step:

Check your measurements. If your room is rectangular add up the measurements of the parallel walls and make sure they match (or are at least very close). For example, in our sample drawing, you would take the overall measurements of the top wall and add them together. Then do the same with the bottom wall. Once you have added each walls measurements check the totals to see if they match.
back to top
Kitchen Planning Guide

FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE
  1. Number of family members:

  2. Number and approximate ages of family members:
    infants
    young children
    teens
    20 to 30 yrs
    31 to 40 yrs
    41 to 50 yrs
    51 to 60 yrs
    61 to 70 yrs
    70+
  3. If your family has young children, will they be using the kitchen frequently?
    Yes No
  4. How long do you plan on living in the home you are remodeling/building?
    1 to 5 yrs
    6 to 10 yrs
    11 to 20 yrs
    20+
  5. Where does your family eat its meals?
    Kitchen
    Dining Room
    Other:
  6. Where will your family eat after you remodel/build?
    Kitchen
    Dining Room
    Other:
  7. Do you require a kitchen table or would you be willing to explore other options if a design could be improved?
    A kitchen table is required
    A kitchen table is preferred but open to other options
    A kitchen table is not necessary
  8. What other activities will take place in your new kitchen?
    Laundry
    Homework
    Watching TV
    Paying Bills
    Sewing
    Computer Center
    Other:
  9. After your remodel/build will you entertain frequently?
    Yes or No
    If Yes... What is your entertainment style?
    formal
    informal
    Do you have
    large
    small gatherings
    Do your guests help you in the kitchen when you entertain?
    Yes or No
  10. How do you shop?
    For the week
    Buy in bulk and freeze
    For each meal
    Buy non-perishable items in bulk
    If you buy in bulk, do you require storage in the kitchen for all or most of these items?
    Yes or No
top

COOKING STYLE
  1. Who is the primary cook?

  2. Is the primary cook
    left handed
    right handed
  3. How tall is the primary cook?

  4. What is the primary cook's cooking style?
    Gourmet Meals
    Family Meals
    Quick & Simple Meals
    Bringing Meals Home
    Baking
  5. What does the primary cook prefer?
    No one else in the kitchen while preparing meals.
    A helper in the kitchen when preparing meals.
    Family or friends visiting during meal preparation.
  6. Does the primary cook have any physical limitations?
    Yes or No
  7. Who is the secondary cook?

  8. Do the secondary and primary cook prepare meals together?
    Yes or No
  9. Is the secondary cook
    left handed
    right handed
  10. How tall is the secondary cook?

  11. What are the secondary cook's responsibilities?
    Preparing side dishes
    Clean up
    Assist in preparing main course
  12. Does the secondary cook have any physical limitations?

top

DESIGN AND STYLE
  1. What are your color preferences for your new kitchen?

  2. Are there colors you would not want in your new kitchen?

  3. Have you created a scrapbook of notes, photos, and ideas that you would like to use in your new kitchen?
    Yes or No
  4. If a design could be greatly improved, would you be willing to make structural changes? (i.e. moving windows, doors, and walls)?
    Absolutely not
    I would consider it
  5. What do you like about your current kitchen?

  6. What do you dislike about your current kitchen?

  7. Do you require a recycling center in your kitchen?
    Yes or No
    If Yes... How many items do you need to sort?
  8. Will you be keeping your existing appliances?
    Dishwasher: existing new
    Refrigerator: existing new
    Oven/Range: existing new
  9. What is your style preference for your new kitchen?
    contemporary
    formal
    country
    traditional
top

TIME AND BUDGET
  1. When would you like to begin your project?

  2. When would you like your project completed?

  3. If you are building, is the kitchen in your contract?
    Yes No
  4. Do you have a budget for this project?
    Yes: $ or No
top

GENERAL
    Name:
    Address:
    City:
    State: Zip:
    Home Phone:
    Work Phone:
    Fax:
    New Home Address:
    City:
    State: Zip:
    Builder Name (if applicable):
    Contact Name:
    Phone:
    Fax:
    Architect Name (if applicable):  
    Contact Name:
    Phone:
    Fax:
    Interior Designer Name (if applicable):   
    Contact Name:
    Phone:
    Fax:
back to top
Copyright 2006. The Kitchen Shop. All Rights Reserved.
Site Designed by: Jemco Logics