The Kitchen Design Process: What to Expect

A new kitchen is a big decision, and most people I meet in Gisborne have never been through the process before. That's completely normal, and part of my job is to make it feel straightforward rather than daunting. Here's exactly how a project runs with us, from the first phone call to the day you're cooking in it.

It Starts With a Chat

The first step is just a conversation. You tell me what's frustrating about your current kitchen, what you've seen that you like, and roughly what you want to spend. I'd rather hear "we cook every night and the bench space drives us mad" than a list of products, because the practical stuff is what shapes a good design.

This first chat is free and there's no pressure. Some people are ready to go, others are six months out and just gathering information. Both are fine. I'll give you honest feedback early, including when an idea won't work or won't be worth the money.

The Site Measure

Once you're keen to move forward, I come out and measure properly. Drawings and old plans are a useful starting point, but walls in Gisborne homes are rarely square, especially in older villas and bungalows, and I'd rather find that out now than on install day.

While I'm there I'm also checking the things that quietly cost money later:

• Where your plumbing, gas and electrical points sit
• Window heights and how they affect splashbacks and overhead cabinets
• Floor level (a 10–15mm fall across a room is common and very fixable)
• Access for delivery and install, especially tight hallways or stairs

This visit is also free. It's the only way to design something that actually fits your home rather than a generic layout.

Design and Quote

Now the fun part. I take everything we've discussed and turn it into a real design, with cabinet layouts, bench heights, where appliances live, and how the whole space flows. We talk through materials honestly, melamine for value, thermolaminate for a painted look without the price of paint, real timber where you want warmth and character, and stone or laminate benchtops depending on budget and how hard you are on a kitchen.

I'll give you a clear, itemised quote so you can see where the money goes. I won't pretend to give exact figures here because every kitchen is different, but I'll always be upfront about rough ranges before we start designing, so we're working toward something realistic rather than a number that balloons later.

A good kitchen design is the cheapest part of the whole project, and it's where the most money gets saved or wasted.

Local Manufacture

Once you've approved the design and we've confirmed your finishes, your kitchen gets built right here in our Gisborne workshop. This is the part I love, and it's why I do this locally rather than ordering flat-packs from out of town.

Building it ourselves means I can control quality at every step, adjust for those out-of-square walls, and fix small issues before anything leaves the bench. It also means that if you want something a little non-standard, a specific drawer setup or an awkward corner solved properly, we can simply make it that way. We design, build and install everything ourselves, so there's no finger-pointing between trades if a question comes up.

Install Day (and What Comes After)

Installation usually takes a few days depending on the size of the kitchen. I'll give you a clear timeframe up front, and I coordinate with your plumber and electrician (or organise ours) so the cut-off and reconnection happen in the right order. There's always a short stretch where the old kitchen is out and the new one isn't quite in, so I'll talk you through how to manage that gap.

When we finish, I walk you through everything, how the soft-close runners adjust, how to care for your benchtop, and what to keep an eye on as timber and joinery settle in the first few weeks.

And it doesn't end there. Every kitchen we build comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty, so if a hinge needs tweaking or a door drops a fraction down the track, you call me and we sort it.

A Process Built on Trust

The honest truth is that a kitchen is as much about the people building it as the materials. A clear process, no surprises, and someone local who answers the phone afterwards, that's what I try to give every homeowner who works with us.

If you're starting to think about your own kitchen, the best first step is simply a chat about what you've got and where you'd like to get to.