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 general 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 interior design process?

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

  • Nope! I’ve discovered that I can gather all the information I need about whether I can confidently take on your project and deliver on my service promise in one efficient Zoom meeting. This is great because it’s a much better use of my client’s time, and it allows me to help folks outside of where I’m based in Boulder, Colorado. 

    You may be surprised by how few questions I have for you during this Discovery consult - that’s because at this stage I don’t need to get into the fine-grained design details. But don’t worry! Once I kick off your project we’ll have an exceptionally thorough conversation about each and every one of your design goals and ideas, guided by my Taylored Design Assessment. That’s when we’ll also go over your Inspo Homework so I understand your vision as well as your goals! 

  • I’m glad you asked! The average kitchen remodel generates 7,000 to 10,000 pounds of waste even though, in many cases, there were many potential years of life left for that discarded kitchen.

    Whenever possible I facilitate the donation of existing kitchens to Renovation Angel or Habitat for Humanity for the purpose of rehoming, rather than contributing to landfill waste. The homeowner who donates receives a significant tax deduction, savings on the removal and disposal of the existing kitchen, free white-glove removal, and as an added bonus, Renovation Angel coordinates 10% off new Miele appliances! Of course, the best part is the great feeling that comes with keeping your kitchen out of landfills and the knowledge that another family is enjoying it for years to come!

  • I partner with an amazingly talented custom cabinet manufacturer, but 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 and apply for construction permits. 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!  

  • That’s an easy one! My favorite clients are practical people who love their pets. They’re either building a new home and want to ensure the most beautiful and functional kitchen and bathrooms or they’re remodeling because they have an outdated space that doesn’t function, and truly need a new kitchen and/or bathroom.

    My clients use their homes to host and entertain their friends, prepare meals, and generally relax and enjoy their Colorado way of life. Many have active outdoor lifestyles and need clever storage solutions for their gear, and many travel for vacation and need a relaxing, low-maintenance sanctuary to come home to.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Ooph, 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 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:

    • Kitchen Design including Lighting & Electrical Plan: $3000

    • Primary Bathroom Design including Lighting & Electrical Plan: $2500

    • Whole Home Lighting Design: $2000

    Selections & Specifications Assistance:

    While many of my clients are comfortable shopping finishes and fixtures on their own using the ready-to-shop specifications list that comes with every Taylored design, some folks aren’t comfortable shopping showrooms or choosing finishings like lighting or plumbing fixtures without a designer by their side. If that sounds like you, this is the perfect add-on! 

    Selections & Specifications Assistance is purchased by retainer, with each $600 retainer providing up to 6 hours of shopping support. All behind-the-scenes or via Zoom shopping is billed against the Specification Retainer in 15-minute increments. All in-person meetings (for example, at showrooms) are billed against the Specification Retainer in 2-hour increments. 

    Because this is an hourly add-on, you only have to have help with the items you want help with - it’s completely in your control.

    Implementation Support:

    This service is a great option for folks unfamiliar with remodeling or new construction who want as smooth and stress-free an experience as possible. You’ll not only get up to 4 onsite meetings per month for the duration of the project but also unlimited client and contractor communication via email or text throughout the month. 

    Since each client and home remodeling project is unique, the scope of work, and therefore the cost of the monthly implementation retainer, will be dependent on the details of the project.

  • 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 folks who value their time and also want to make sure that their remodel investment pays off. Working with me saves you time because, thanks to my unlimited full-color 3D renders, 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 the Process

  • 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 changes 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 kitchen, pantry, bath, laundry room, and mudroom 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!