The single biggest cost saver in any kitchen project happens before any tool comes out of the truck: catching layout problems at the rendering stage. On our last 50 projects, the average client requested 4 changes after seeing the 3D walk-through - every one of those changes would have cost between $400 and $4,200 to fix on site once cabinets were ordered, hung, or installed. The cost of catching them at rendering: zero.
This page is for clients who specifically want design - either as a stand-alone service to take elsewhere, or as the first phase of working with us through to install. Either way, the deliverable is the same: a complete kitchen specification you could hand to any cabinet maker in the country and they'd know exactly what to build.
What's Included
- Free in-home consultation - initial walk-through to understand cooking style, family size, storage needs, aesthetic direction
- Detailed digital measure - every wall to 1/16", soffit heights, window/door rough openings, plumbing rough-in locations, electrical panel access
- Site photo file - full photographic record of existing kitchen, surrounding rooms, sightlines
- Layout optimization - work-triangle analysis, NKBA clearance audit, traffic flow review
- 3D rendering - every cabinet, every counter, every appliance to scale
- Walk-through video - animated tour of the proposed kitchen, sent to you for review on any device
- Cabinet schedule - full spec sheet with sizes, door styles, drawer counts, hardware specs, interior fittings
- Material recommendations - wood species, finishes, hardware, with samples in your kitchen lighting
- Two rounds of revisions - based on your feedback after seeing the rendering
- Final design package - drawings, schedule, and renderings delivered as PDF
- Itemized build quote - if you choose to build with us, fixed-price contract from these specs
Why Design First Matters
The most expensive mistakes in a kitchen happen at intersections. The intersection of cabinet height and ceiling soffit. The intersection of refrigerator depth and counter depth. The intersection of dishwasher swing and adjacent cabinet door. The intersection of island overhang and dining-room traffic.
None of those problems are visible looking at a 2D layout drawing. They show up in 3D rendering, where the model behaves like real cabinets in real space. We catch:
- Refrigerator doors that won't open 90° because of an adjacent wall - fix at design (no cost) vs. fix at install ($1,800 cabinet rebuild)
- Dishwasher and trash pull-out competing for the same body position - fix at design vs. fix at install ($600–$900)
- Island overhangs that block the path from kitchen to dining room - fix at design vs. live with a cramped traffic pattern forever
- Pendant light placement that interferes with sight lines from the seating side - fix at rendering vs. relocate fixture box ($300–$600)
- Counter seam visible from the room's primary entry - fix at template stage vs. live with it
Stand-Alone Design vs. Design-Build
| What you get | Stand-alone | Design-build (with us) |
|---|---|---|
| 3D renderings & walk-through | Yes | Yes |
| Cabinet schedule & specs | Yes | Yes |
| Two revision rounds | Yes | Yes |
| Material recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Itemized build quote | - | Yes (fixed) |
| Design fee credited to build | - | 100% |
| Cost | From $1,500 | $0 (rolled into build) |
Our Process
- Free in-home consult (60 min) - understand your kitchen goals, family size, cooking habits, aesthetic direction.
- Detailed digital measure - laser to 1/16", photographed, soffit and obstructions documented.
- Concept layout (5–7 business days) - first draft of layout sent for review.
- Revision round 1 - incorporate your feedback.
- 3D rendering & walk-through - full animated tour delivered for review.
- Revision round 2 - final tweaks based on rendering review.
- Final package delivered - PDF drawings, schedule, renderings, walk-through video link.
- (Optional) Build quote - fixed-price contract from these specs if you build with us.
Local Wichita Context
Designing for Wichita kitchens means understanding the housing stock. 1960s-80s ranches with walls separating the kitchen from the rest of the house. 1990s-2000s builder-grade kitchens with awkward soffits boxed in over wall cabinets. Newer construction in Andover and Maize with vaulted ceilings that make standard upper cabinet heights look stranded. Each generation has its own quirks. We've designed in every neighborhood from Riverside to Eastborough to Bel Aire - local pattern recognition saves you time and rules out layouts that look great on paper but fight the existing structure.
Why Choose Us for Design
Wichita Kitchens Designed
Every design we've done has been a kitchen. We have pattern recognition for Wichita's specific housing stock - the soffits, the foundation movement, the load-bearing wall locations - that a generalist designer doesn't.
Revisions Included
Two full revision rounds standard, no upcharge. Most clients land on the right design within those two rounds. Additional revisions are billed at $150/hr if needed.
Design Fee Credited
If you build with us after design, the design fee is credited 100% to the project. Stand-alone design is real money out of pocket; design-build is effectively free design.
FAQ
What does a cabinet design service include?
In-home measure, layout planning, full 3D rendering with walk-through video, complete cabinet schedule, hardware and finish selection guidance, and an itemized quote if you build with us.
Can I take the design and build with someone else?
Yes. Stand-alone design starts at $1,500 and includes 3D renderings and a complete cabinet schedule you can take to any cabinet maker.
How long does cabinet design take?
1-3 weeks total. Initial layout within 5-7 business days, then 1-2 rounds of revisions.
Will I see the kitchen before anything is built?
Yes. Every design includes a 3D walk-through video of your kitchen showing every cabinet, counter, and appliance to scale.
Related Services
- Custom Cabinets - most common build path after design
- Full Kitchen Remodel
- Kitchen Islands
- Luxury Remodels