Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions About Taylored Kitchens and Baths

  • A: We will communicate as often as needed. I have a rule to respond to all my clients within 24 business hours, and typically it’s much sooner than that. I will communicate with you in whatever way is best for you- text, email, phone, Zoom, etc. And, if you’ve hired me for the Taylored Design + Design Implementation services, you will receive a weekly email with project updates, and I will be on site at your project up to four times per month. 

  • On average it takes 3 months from the time you sign your Design Agreement to when the construction documents are delivered. Since I offer unlimited revisions during the design phase (prior to creating the construction docs) this time frame depends on how decisive you are, and how many changes you’d like to see to the design. 

    The good news: You can use the renderings and floor plans to obtain estimated pricing from contractors while you’re waiting for me to complete the construction documents! In fact, I recommend that you use the renderings and floor plans to obtain general pricing before we start the construction documents. That’s because, although contractors can’t give exact pricing until the construction documents are complete, if you receive an estimate that doesn’t meet your budget, and it is prior to when I start creating the construction documents, I can modify the design to meet your budget.

  • What is your design process?

    There are 6 fundamental steps I follow in every Taylored Design process.Read about each of the steps here.

  • I partner with an amazingly talented custom cabinet maker, and I have partnerships with several larger cabinet manufacturers for options for everyone’s budget. Remember, you own your designs and are welcome to share them with your preferred contractors and cabinet makers. My mission is for you to get the most functional, aesthetically amazing home possible, whatever that means for you. Click here if you want to learn more about why I source custom cabinets and what makes my cabinet maker unique.

  • I have preferred suppliers and contractors, however, in most cases I will work with your contractor and suppliers, if you choose.

    With Taylored Kitchens and Baths, you own all the design plans! That means you have control of your project and the freedom to utilize the contractor of your choice. Taylored design plans make it easy for contractors to provide accurate bids, apply for construction permits, and to have all the information needed for implementation. The best compliment is when a new-to-me contractor tells me that my detailed construction documents made their life so much easier during estimation and installation!  

  • I’m based out of Boulder, Colorado and help clients throughout the USA.

    Taylored Services available throughout the USA:

    • Taylored Design Bites 

    • Taylored Design + Construction Prep

    • Taylored Whole Home Lighting Design Plans

    Available exclusively to residents of Boulder County, Colorado including Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Longmont, Erie, Niwot, Gunbarrel, Lyons, Valmont, etc. (If you’re located in Jefferson or Broomfield Counties, contact me, I may be able to assist you with your project):

    • Taylored Design + Design Implementation

  • I am a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD) obtained by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Obtaining this certification required extensive training, literally 1,000’s of hours of learning, passing an extensive multi-part exam, including a written portion and submitting design drawings to the exam committee. The written exam and design drawings test kitchen, bath, and lighting design competencies including proper floor plan solutions, specifications, graphics and presentation, lighting, electrical, mechanical, and construction plans. The exam committee is specifically looking to ensure the applicant is thinking beyond aesthetics to the critical functionality needed for these hard-working spaces. To maintain my CKBD designation I must submit a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education credits every two years.

    I’m also a Practitioner Member of ASID (American Society Interior Designers).

  • Definitely! All of my designs meet NKBA guidelines, which are extensive. Guidelines include the following: egress and passageway planning such as door interference and work zone clearances, kitchen planning which looks at sizes of landing areas and seating area clearances, bath planning which ensures proper planning for the actual fixtures and the spaces surrounding sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs, supporting space planning such as laundry rooms, mudrooms, pantries, cabinetry and casework planning, material and finish planning, ventilation planning, electrical planning, lighting planning, plumbing fixture and equipment planning, etc. And, the list goes on. There are 250 pages of guidelines to ensure your newly designed spaces are not only beautiful but functional also! 

  • Absolutely! How many would you like? Contact me and I’ll be happy to connect you with my past clients.

Questions About the Costs

Questions About Design

I like you! Let’s chat!

  • That’s a Big Question! It depends on so many factors including both how “fancy” your taste is (there is a big purchase price and labor difference between buying a GE free-standing fridge and a paneled, built-in Miele or Subzero fridge) and the detail and quality level of your contractor (is he a “good-enough” contractor or a “details matter” contractor?)

    As your designer, I can only help control costs on the materials, finishes, and fixtures. But as mentioned above, you can use the renderings and floor plans to obtain general pricing from contractors while you’re waiting for me to complete the construction documents, and I recommend it! If you use the renderings and floor plans to obtain general pricing before I start the construction documents then if you receive an estimate that doesn’t meet your budget, and it is prior to when I start creating the construction documents, I can modify the design to meet your budget thanks to those unlimited revisions during the design phase!

  • Design Services:

    All my design work starts with easy-to-understand flat fee pricing. Schedule your Discovery call and after I hear about your project, I’ll provide the pricing.

  • While I can’t personally give every creature a home (though I’d love to!) I can direct some of my profits to help every pet find their fur-ever family and live a happy, healthy life. That’s why 10% of every design fee goes directly to the animal rescue of your choice. How nice to know that by hiring me you’re not only getting a fantastic design, you’re helping do good in the world at the same time!

  • It all depends on what you want to get for your money. My process is perfect for anyone who values their time and also wants to ensure that their remodel investment pays off. Working with me saves you time because, thanks to my unlimited full-color 3D renderings, you can make informed design decisions and avoid committing to a design you can’t actually visualize. 

    Even better, my process actually saves you money, because although you’re paying for design upfront, you get to avoid mid-project change orders that cost you way more in money and time (not to mention stress) than you’ll ever spend on a design fee.

    On top of that, I help you spend your money more wisely. I’ll guide you away from trendy colors and design decisions you’ll regret, and help you choose durable, quality cabinets (both in terms of construction and style) that you’ll love for decades to come. If all that appeals to you, then yep, you’re making the right choice working with me!

Questions About the Process

  • Yes! I can assist you with designing the interior architecture of any space within your home as long as it’s within the existing footprint of your house. I cannot do designs/construction documents for additions. However, as long as it’s within your home’s existing footprint, I can do anything for interiors that an architect would do, including the construction documents. On paper, I can move walls, windows, doors, and doorways. Just like with an architect, a structural engineer will need to be involved in the project when there are load baring walls.

    Please note, I do not assist with procuring furniture or accessories.

  • Yes, yes, yes, and yes. All of these are included with my Taylored Design + Construction Prep and also my Taylored Design + Design Implementation services. Here’s a sample of the full set of documents you receive.

    More information about what is included with each of my full-service design solutions may be found at the links above.

  • I will show you floor plans and full color 3D photo quality renderings from various positions within the room of your newly designed spaces. We will initially go over these via Zoom and then I will email PDF versions to you. You will have as much time as you need to digest your newly designed spaces and can view these PDF copies as often as you would like. 

  • Yes! You receive unlimited design revisions during the design phase. You can make as many changes as you would like until you tell me you love it and I begin the construction documents. 

  • Absolutely! Each design change you make you will receive updated renderings so you can visualize how those changes have made a difference in your newly designed space.

  • You have complete control of the design selections. I can design in any style and it is my goal for you to LOVE your new spaces for many years to come. I will always give you my advice about function and style, but at the end of the day, this is your home and you must love it!