@Calumim: Yes, just direct and honest is the way to go. I hope we don't get into a $$ issue and hope KD feels the design fee forfeit makes us "even." @Canukplayer: Yes, this is more stressful than I anticipated it would be. Thank you for your empathy. There was an expectation that I would purchase cabinets from KD. I think the floundering is due to inexperience running a company and perhaps lack of support (or not asking for support) from previous owner. @Mgoblue85: Thank you for reminding me this is a business deal and not a marriage! And hey, "business is business" has always been my saying when I need to be tough or when I lose a deal. I don't know why this situation is so hard for me. @Trebruchet: Thank you. I think you added another business slant to this. I now realize I have been taking this too personally and I think I am worried KD will do the same. I will definitely provide honest and respectful feedback if KD asks. Thank you each for taking the time to help me through this situation. Your heartfelt support is awesome and really bolstered me at a time when I need it the most. I feel oddly empowered right now. I will call KD in the morning and let you all know how it works out. In the meantime, I am so looking forward to the new custom cabinet guy. He grain matches everything - door and drawer panels and their frames and slab drawers are matched across the length of the cabinet run. Plus, impeccable reputation and good relationship with my GC. Oh, yeah, and virtually no price difference between the two firms. This forum is full of amazing people. Thank you!

Thank you for your responses! Renovator: There are many projects. Some don't involve the kitchen. Those do not have a designer per say, though some of the kitchen people have commented on the mudroom since it adjoins the kitchen and involves changing the pantry. At least one of the contractors seem to be able to enhance what I want and can just have a carpenter build where needed. One clearly wants a design plan for all of the spaces. For something like coffered ceilings, I think we (us with the contractor, no designer) decide on the molding, # of boxes, and lighting. That job could be combined with changing chandeliers in the dining room and other rooms since an electrician would be needed (and it would be easier to group the tasks into one visit vs. being charged for multiple visits by an electrician. But I'm not sure when we will have the light fixtures picked out. However, if the kitchen is more expensive than expected the coffered ceiling project can be sacrificed. Refinishing the floors, painting and some minor bathroom reno can start before the kitchen reno. However, I am also interviewing a separate floor guy who came highly recommended and a separate painter I came across through another group. The office is the most vague project. I'm getting the impression that it will be too costly to do with the KDs. One person said that we should wait a few years and see what happens with elderly MIL (who will be staying in the downstairs office when she visits) which is partly why we need an upstairs office. I think this project might go to the local cabinet builder guy if his costs come in better, One person said just buy furniture. However, we have such a mish mash right now and really needed a lot more filing space and organization that I felt like we needed something more custom. The office is a sore point for us as we have papers everywhere and not enough places to put them. Trying to scan more but we need a better computer, more virtual storage, etc. and our current printer/scanner which is only a few years old isn't working that well. But I digress Greendesigns, so maybe what you are saying is that I decide on the contractor for phases of the entire work (which are discreet projects) and that the kitchen gets decided last, after I pick a designer? Or if the estimates for the kitchen contractor job are dramatically different, maybe I could narrow it down to finalists and then only ask two to fine tune estimates vs. four contractors? But I don't want to get caught short. I think two of the contractors are juggling things so I don't want it to turn out that they can't do my job once we set a timetable. Also, for something like changing light fixtures should I get a separate handyman or just tack it on to one of the other jobs that involves an electrician? Would a handyman charge less or would that be offset by a separate visit? Thank you both!

Even if you do a search on the forum (if the search function is working well at all), you can probably find a lot on Susan Serra, but she is Googlable, too. ;-) That's actually how I found out if I was getting her name correct for you... This is from the FAQs section of her site (www.kitcheninteriors.com): Do you do hourly consultations only? YES! (SS-SVC) Short term/hourly consulting (plus bonus post-meeting email-see below) may be perfect for your needs if: You already have a set of plans and really need a second opinion You want to begin the process with a baby step and just see what's possible To have access to quality design pros in a cost effective way To go beyond home center/builder services To go beyond your local shop cabinetmaker's ideas When youre stuck, after frustrating DIY attempts For color, product, other specific consultations For unbiased advice on resolving project conflicts Or, maybe you have your own reason! Consultations are $200 per hour, or $375 for 2 hours at one meeting. Short term consultations from 2 hours++ can be arranged. Travel beyond 10 miles from our studio is an additional $25. The time spent with you will be filled with creative ideas, one after the other, fabulous sources of materials, patience, good listening skills with a bonus follow-up email answer to your top 5 questions from our meetings. AND, should you retain our services, the consultation fee you paid will be fully deducted from your order. No risk! And this is from www.susanserraassociates.com CONSULTING...Please visit my consultation page to learn about kitchen design consulting services no matter where you are located in the U.S. Should you have any questions, just use the form to the right, which is sent right to my main email inbox. Whether you require one hour or multiple hours of consulting on the phone, consulting via email, or in person (my office or your home-if New York metro area), it becomes a small price to pay for the benefit of having access to a highly experienced Certified Kitchen Designer. I will personally evaluate your kitchen plan you already have or collaborate with you on other issues relating to your kitchen design project such as general design issues, products, color and texture, conflict resolution with professionals you have hired, or any other issue that concerns you. A second opinion can provide experienced insight, information, and peace of mind for you. In the plan evaluation process, errors are often uncovered, new options are provided, and your kitchen will be the best it can be. Services are tailored to your needs and to the scope of the project. Design services range from one hour of consulting via phone, email, or in-person to planning services complete with fully dimensioned drawings. She has a blog, too! Here is a link that might be useful: Susan Serra's blog..Some great photos!

No matter who you hire, it's really important to understand what *you* want to some degree -- unless/until you determine you want to just go with an experienced KD thinks you should have. That's not the KitFor way and since you keep posting here I think you're one of us -- not someone who will hire someone and let them build their vision for you. It's terribly overwhelming. I almost sold the house rather than renovate it. But you seem to be doing fine. Two years from now, I bet you'll be here giving advice to others based on your experience. Since you seem to have 2 people lined up to help, have you compiled enough clips and photos of kitchens you like to help them figure out a style you like and features? If so, you're set for now. Having those "inspiration" pics will be a huge help because you can use the clips to figure out out what you go for -- you've said sort of country but that can mean different things to different people. The photos help make it more specific. When I went through mine, I found I picked a certain shape or color or style over and over. So I was able to define for myself what I liked that way. With that guidance, the KD you wind up with should then be able to guide you through the rest.