Does Hiring A Designer Actually Save You Money On A Kitchen Remodel?

A kitchen remodel comes with a hefty price tag — the average for a major midrange remodel is $79,982, according to The Journal of Light Construction. Even a minor midrange remodel comes in at $27,492 on average. Hiring a design professional for the project might seem like an area where you can cut expenses. However, there are several hidden ways a designer could actually save you money, despite adding to the overall cost of your renovation.

It helps to understand the different types of kitchen design services you might use. If you work with the in-house designer in a store, the price could run anywhere from $150 to $450 for a meeting. It's worth noting that some stores credit that design cost toward your renovation projects. Professional design centers can vary significantly in pricing — options range from $100 to $750 per hour. If you hire an independent kitchen designer, the fees might be hourly, with an average of $65 to $250 an hour. Some designers work on a percentage basis, charging between 10 and 20% of your total renovation cost.

Regardless of the option you choose, hiring a kitchen designer adds to the project total significantly. However, going without a designer could also cost you. It's important to understand the process before hiring an interior designer. Having a professional design for your kitchen renovation helps you achieve a beautiful, functional final product that often increases the value of your home. Designers may also have connections that reduce costs, can suggest money-saving options, and might you avoid expensive mistakes.

A kitchen designer could lower your overall project cost with their expertise. Experienced, certified designers know the rules to follow when designing a new kitchen to create a safe space that meets building codes and is highly functional, which adds value to your home. Professional designers take your budget into account and find ways to maximize the money. They might even have ideas for reusing some of the kitchen components instead of replacing them, which could leave you more money for other renovation projects.

Hiring a kitchen designer helps you avoid expensive design mistakes like not creating enough clearance for appliance doors. If the work doesn't meet building codes, you'll have to redo it. Or, you might decide you hate a design element and design to redo it. These situations cost you more in materials and labor. A designer listens to what you want and understands functional design needs to prevent those situations. 

Designers typically receive trade discounts to lower the costs of renovation materials, which could save you money over going to the company directly. With or without the discounts, a quality kitchen designer recommends which materials you should choose and which you should avoid to get the most value for your money. They'll consider your habits and lifestyle as well as your budget to give you customized recommendations. A designer can tell you where to splurge and where to cut back to get the best results. This can save you money by giving you more life from the materials and recommending design choices you love and don't want to change after a few years.

You might not need a designer if you're doing a small kitchen renovation with mostly cosmetic changes. This might be the case if you have a limited budget or your kitchen has good bones but just needs some updates. For example, if you're just replacing the sink and painting or refacing kitchen cabinets instead of installing new ones, you can likely handle the design decisions on your own.

If you're a frequent DIYer or have some experience in design or construction, you might feel comfortable designing the kitchen yourself, even for a larger-scale renovation. You can utilize kitchen design software to assist you in laying out your space effectively. Many programs are free, but even paid software is likely significantly more affordable than hiring a designer. You can also work with your contractors for specific areas, such as the plumbing, electrical, and cabinets, to get advice on the best way to lay out the kitchen or what materials to use. If you're hiring a general contractor for the job, you might get advice from them on how to design your kitchen.

You might also have access to free design services or consultations depending on where you purchase your kitchen materials. Lowe's and Home Depot both offer free kitchen design consultations, for example. This option allows you to cut costs and get professional insight about your design. However, these services are typically basic and don't involve ongoing support if issues happen during the process. Paying more for a kitchen designer often means you receive ongoing support until the project is done.