So confused: What type of professional should we hire?

6 years ago

We need to hire a pro, but unsure if it should be a general contractor specializing in kitchens & baths, an architect, an interior designer, or someone else. Our main project that we are tackling next is our kitchen, which is laid out poorly. It is a G shape with no counter seating and not enough space for a proper table that wouldn't block traffic. Also, because it's a ranch that had an addition built out to the rear in the 80s for the dining room, the kitchen is extremely dark and windowless. I always have to use artificial light in the kitchen. So, while I'm not a trend-hopper, I really think we need to remove the wall separating the kitchen and dining room bump-out--but it is definitely a load bearing wall as it was originally an exterior wall--and do an island. Also, to make it tougher, the new dining room floor is higher than the kitchen floor by about 1/4 or 1/2 inch, right where the stools would be sitting (or rocking!) at the new island counter.

The help we need: 1. Figuring out lay-out and structural issues primarily for our kitchen. However, it would be nice to have an overall plan (action plan? blueprint? CAD drawings?) for all the changes we need to make in our home, but are not necessarily addressing this year...which may include bathroom layout, moving our laundry room, and moving our water drain in the basement while working around transite ducts in the cement. We need a creative big thinker could look at our overall layout and help us figure it out so we can plan our steps. 2. We probably need help with restructural, electrical and plumbing changes, but can hire that separately, if needed. 3. We need to purchase our cabinets and countertops, so we're open to buying that through the professional or at a big box store.

The help we don't need: 1. Choosing materials or colors. We are open to some advice if our ideas will be a problem for one reason or another, but we are not interested in help picking countertops or cabinets, etc. 2. We don't need help installing the cabinets or the tile, but probably need someone to install the countertops. We would like to DIY as much of the project we can to keep costs down, and we already have our appliances and tile purchased. (Full disclosure: husband is an exterior general contractor, but only works on roofs, windows, siding, gutters; and wife is an accessories designer. So we have some capabilities, but not precisely in these areas.)

Lastly, it may help to know that we live in the SW suburbs of Minneapolis, and we are working with a modest budget. We are open to student designers, if they are skilled enough in the areas we need, but would hire a seasoned pro if we can afford it for the structural plans. Help! Any ideas, houzzers?

Featured Answer

PRO

Anglophilia

6 years ago

Start with an architect. And if you have a modest budget, you will not have enough to do this very big and expensive project.

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Comments (13)

angelkins7
Original Author
6 years ago
Anglophilia, thank you for your input. For budget, I did say modest, not cheap :) We just need direction to start. The kitchen comes first, other ideas will be down the road, but planned for.

Do others think we need an architect, too?
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Amy
6 years ago
I'd definitely start with an architect.
angelkins7 thanked Amy
Denita
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you are changing exterior walls, it will change the exterior and then an architect is the right way to go so you end up with a pleasing result and not just a "remuddle" as others call it here.

If, however, you are redesigning the kitchen (only), then go with an independent kitchen designer. Not one of those cabinet co designers that only sell their own product. Someone that actually designs the kitchen for your needs and can work with contractors. Someone with one of the accepted KD designations: http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/understanding-designer-certifications

Hiring the contractor without having the kitchen designed in detail with specifications will get you in big money trouble on a major design feature. Builders build. But they need the specs and plans before they can bid appropriately, otherwise you end up with inadequate allowances and cost over runs.
angelkins7 thanked Denita
H B
6 years ago
Architect, and not sure this would be the ideal situation for giving an architectural student a whirl. Hopefully you will benefit from the architect's experience. Architect should be the big thinker and out of the box thinker, if necessary.
angelkins7 thanked H B
auntthelma
6 years ago
You need a general contractor.
angelkins7 thanked auntthelma
PRO
Ezio Design Solutions
6 years ago
You could start with an interior as well; as long as they work with a licensed engineer.
angelkins7 thanked Ezio Design Solutions
PRO
CAP Construction, LLC
6 years ago
It depends on what your city requires for obtaining remodel permits. Your not building an addition, so an architect may be overkill. An experienced Remodeling General Contractor can get the plans necessary for remodel permits and can develop plans for relocating plumbing and electrical etc. They can access opening the wall and can work with an engineer to access the size beam necessary to support the load bearing wall if necessary. Most Remodeling GC's work with kitchen designer or have one in house who can draw up your kitchen plan.
angelkins7 thanked CAP Construction, LLC
angelkins7
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and reply. I especially appreciate hearing everyone's reasoning behind their opinions, that helps us decide what to do! I appreciate any other ideas or tips on what to look for or avoid.
angelkins7
Original Author
6 years ago
p.s. for clarity's sake, we won't be altering any outside walls, that was already done in the 80's.
User
6 years ago
Start meeting with pros and see who you like. There will be some (not all, not technical) overlap between.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
6 years ago
Do not start with an architect. Architects are subs to General Contractors on jobs like this.

The guy you want to hire will say something like "I did a very similar job a year ago. It was $xxxx.oo." He'll have the connections you need.
PRO
JudyG Designs
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I have my wonderful builder. I talk with him about what we need/want. Feed back is amazing. He knows what can and cannot be done. He knows building code. Most often he can figure out the problem. If he can’t, he directs me to to our local engineering firm which has a fabulous draftswoman. It is cost effective.

I am not suggesting that an architect should not be the one to solve your problem. I am, however, suggesting that there may be another, less costly, way.

So confused: What type of professional should we hire?

Anglophilia

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angelkins7
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