Help! I need to remodel or build my new kitchen but I don’t know where to start!
The first thing to do is to think about the style of kitchen or bathroom you’d like – magazines, online resources and local shops can be a useful guide to get you started. You’ll need to consider the style of your home, the other rooms in the house and your budget. Take a look at the checklists on this site which will give you a guide to many of the things you’ll need to think about. The following advice may also be helpful:
Warranty – do check what, if any, warranties are offered. Atkinson’s Innovative Interiors offers a warranty on materials and workmanship. Well-made kitchens have no major warranty problems.
Product Choice – do be as well informed as possible on product choice and finish. Be sure you are choosing the best product for your circumstances – for example if you have a young family, don’t choose a lacquer paint finish for cabinet doors! General wear and tear, abuse and neglect are not covered by any warranty.
Availability – Responsible suppliers should tell you about all the choices available rather than solely promoting in-house lines. Don't get stuck with a limited range of colours or products that may not suit your budget.
Finance – Do check the financial and payment terms required. Deposits are usually required by kitchen suppliers. These are used to secure your commitment to the job and to pay for large items such as board and bench tops. Do compare quotes carefully and be wary if one quote is far lower than others – struggling suppliers may discount heavily to attract business or it might exclude certain items.
Quality – Do make enquiries regarding the materials being used. Locally manufactured materials are made to withstand the New Zealand conditions and to a high standard that meets all regulatory requirements.
Hardware – Do ensure that hardware comes with a warranty and that replacement hinges and drawer runners are readily available. Different brands are not interchangeable.
Manufacture – Do check where your kitchen is to be made. It is more difficult to monitor progress in a kitchen made in an alternative location and can make any after sales maintenance required more difficult.
What is a realistic budget for a kitchen renovation or new build?
For most of us the kitchen is the heart of the home. It's one of the most frequently used areas of the house and an area where we often host visitors. It's worth investing in the best quality you can possibly afford for an area that you'll be spending so much time in every day and using heavily.
To ensure that every aspect of your kitchen is of the highest possible quality, we source premium products and materials from a range of high-end, reputable suppliers.
In terms of cost, there are many variables to consider such as the size of your kitchen, the type of materials you want to use and how many appliances you already have and want to keep.
One very rough 'rule of thumb' is that you should spend between 5 to 15% of your home's total value on a kitchen re-model. With the average house value in Nelson-Tasman now sitting at around $630,000*, 5 to 15% equates to somewhere between $31,000 - $94,500 for an 'average' home.
We have worked on projects ranging from $15,000 to over $300,000. Somewhere around $35,000 – $60,000 is probably the average for a medium-sized kitchen renovation.
* average house value in Nelson as at October 2019, according to Residential House Price values from Quotable Value.
What is the process once I contact you?
Kelvin will meet with you either on site or at the workshop to discuss your plans.
If you have been working with an architect or designer and already have plans and a layout, we will supply you with an estimate based on your plans.
If you require advice on design and layout we will meet with you to take a detailed brief and provide a layout drawing and ballpark estimate.
You can then make a decision about whether you wish to confirm the job.
Once you have confirmed the job with us, the next step would be to meet you again on site, finalise the layout and materials, take measurements and agree on a timeframe. At that stage we supply a detailed estimate and a 40 percent deposit is payable before work gets underway.
When should I contact you?
Please try and contact us as early as possible so we have time to work through the process and get your job booked in. Please be aware that our pipeline of work is currently around three to six months.
Can you source samples of different products for me?
Yes – we have a lot of different product samples available in our workshop and we also source other product samples on request. We work with an experienced interior designer who can provide advice on materials and colour selections if required. Make sure you also check out the Links section on this website – many of the companies will provide you with samples on request and of course local shops can also do this for you.
I am interested in using sustainable materials - can you provide advice on this?
The products we source are from high-end, reputable suppliers. There are many great new products available and there is also information available on the Links section of our website.
Do I need a builder, a joiner or a cabinet maker for my project?
Good question! There is definitely a cross-over and it can be confusing.
Cabinet Makers
A cabinet maker designs and builds furniture. Traditionally this would have been in solid timber, but today it also includes manufactured board such as melamine, veneers and other wood imitation products. Cabinet makers focus on the finer detail of what can be created with timber. A cabinet maker might work on projects such as kitchens, bathroom vanities, bookcases, outdoor kitchens, window seats, shelving, dining and coffee tables, bars, laundry cabinets, entrance and internal doors and wardrobes. Many cabinet makers also do shop fittings. The furniture is normally constructed off-site in a workshop and later installed. A cabinet-maker could do joinery but a basic joiner might not be able to do cabinet making. A cabinetmaker is a great option if you are looking for a high-end piece of custom-designed furniture, a bespoke kitchen designed and made to fit your space or a piece of timber furniture restored.
Joiners
Although the terms cabinet making and joinery are often used interchangeably, there is a difference. The process of joinery is specialised and joins wood without the use of nails. Most cabinet makers are joiners, but joiners are not necessarily cabinet makers. Joiners make fitted furniture such as wardrobes and kitchens (which many cabinet makers also do) so it’s easy to see why the two get confused. Joiners do not normally construct freestanding pieces of furniture. A joiner is a great option if you are looking for fitted furniture such as a built-in wardrobe.
Builders/carpenters
Builders/carpenters tend to work on large structural projects such as house frames, decks and pergolas. They normally work on site and might organise other sub-trades. They work with materials such as timber, concrete, steel and brick to lay foundations, erect framing, fit out interiors and apply cladding. Carpenters are required to be licensed in New Zealand. Although the term builder/carpenter is often used interchangeably, a carpenter is generally regarded as someone who is still on the tools while a builder could be someone in a managerial role in the building industry. You should contact a builder for any large structural projects.