FAQs

Whether you need a little help or a lot, the advice and guidance of a designer is invaluable. Having a knowledgeable and experienced person on your team with the information and expertise to get the best products and results for your project is priceless. And when it comes to knowledge and experience, we’ve got the credentials – 86 years in business and more than 250 years of collective experience from our kitchen and bath designers!

Yes. Builders are generalists; kitchen and bath designers are specialists who know the ins and outs of cabinetry. Architects and builders work with structure and building design; they are typically not oriented toward the details of kitchen and bath design and custom cabinetry. The ideal scenario is to work with a design team that consists of both an architect/builder and a kitchen/bath designer so all aspects of your project can be coordinated from beginning to end.

Call us or stop by our showroom to schedule time with a designer. During our initial design consultation, we will evaluate your project, and determine how we can help. In this meeting, a designer will speak with you about the specific needs of your remodel or construction project. No actual design is done in this meeting; we will listen to your particular needs and timing and make some initial recommendations according to your budget. If you want to work with us, and we feel it is a good fit, we will get started on creating your dream kitchen or bath.

In our humble opinion, yes. We love working with individuals who know their tastes and have definite opinions about their likes and dislikes. You may know what you want (which is great!), and we know how to help turn that vision into reality. Even though you know your preferences, a professionally trained kitchen and bath designer can help you:

• Prevent expensive mistakes
• Save time by doing the work and the research for you; we have every resource at our disposal
• Communicate your design ideas to a team of professionals to help you create the end result you want
• Serve as a skilled and experienced partner who can hear your ideas and help you bring them to life

Our designers can help you with a project of any size. Whether you just want to change your countertops and backsplash or you’re ready to build your dream kitchen, we can help.

While home improvement retailers may offer “free” advice and assistance, in most cases, the sales associate assisting you will not be a classically trained designer with a specialty in kitchen and bathrooms. Home improvement retailers sell a limited product selection and the quality of their stock cabinets is very different from ours.

At Swartz, we focus exclusively on kitchens and baths and there is no extra charge for working with our designers. By working with a “real” kitchen and bath designer, you get creative ideas that speak directly to the form and function of your specific kitchen (or bath) with unique, higher quality materials.

Some of our product lines may initially cost a bit more than the big box retailers, but savvy consumers know that we provide better long-term value. A professional designer ensures sure you don’t waste your energy, or blow your budget buying the wrong items, or choosing colors and finishes that aren’t exactly what you had hoped for. Since people spend more time in their kitchens and bathrooms than any other rooms in the house, it’s a smart investment for your lifestyle and for the resale value of your home.

If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bath or building a new one, you should call us as early as possible in the process (i.e. the research or early planning phase). If you don’t have a contractor, our designers can refer you to one.

Project times vary according to the scope of the project, the cabinet brand you choose, and variables specific to your home and or timeline. That said, we are committed to completing your project professionally and in a reasonable timeframe. When we take on a new project, we work hard to keep our clients focused on the end goal.

If you are doing a “simple” remodel for your bathroom (i.e. not moving plumbing), the process may take only a month from start to finish. If a plumber, electrician, engineer or architect is required, it will take longer. But a full custom-designed kitchen could take much longer—the cabinetry order alone takes several weeks to be made according to your specifications and shipped to our local warehouse.

• Know your objective and lifestyle needs; what you want to accomplish in terms of function. How do you want your kitchen or bath to work for you when its finished? i.e. I cook a lot of pasta so I need a big faucet for pots; I do a lot of baking, so marble-topped island is essential.
• Establish a time frame in which you would like to work
• Have a budget in mind and be honest about it with your designer. A ballpark figure is a good start. For instance, with kitchens, plan on $10-30K for cosmetic improvements (new cabinets or new countertops, backsplash and lighting); $30-70K for a kitchen remodel where plumbing and electrical may need to be moved/installed, and $70K and up for a luxury custom kitchen or bath design project.
• Think about colors, styles and materials you like. Should it be formal or casual, traditional or contemporary?
• Collect clippings from magazines, Houzz, or Pinterest and bring photos of items and decors that appeal to you. You can also bring photos of your existing kitchen or bath, plans for your new house, basic measurements and anything else the designer might benefit from reviewing.
• Also bring measurements, if you have them.

There is a retainer fee for a design consultation, starting at $500 for kitchens and $300 for bathrooms and other rooms. This fee will be applied to the cost of purchasing cabinetry, countertops, or products. A design consultation retainer secures our time on your project and allows us to offer you customized design services, planning, research, and sourcing of your products. Every design plan is a custom plan that takes into account your unique needs and ensures that your project is one-of-a-kind. In other words, you won’t see your kitchen or bathroom in your neighbor’s house!

You pay for the items you select for your kitchen and bath – cabinetry, countertops, sinks, faucets, etc. Full or partial payment is due at the time of ordering; the balance is due prior to delivery. Some clients pay cash; some build the cost of the kitchen or bath into their mortgage; some customers, with approved credit, choose to finance with our Wells Fargo financing plan.

Yes. Having a “ballpark” budget is the first and most important step of the process. A budget allows a designer to determine just how much s/he can do for you. Our goal is always to maximize your investment; a designer will help you prioritize and pack in the best features (value for money) that fit your lifestyle, your needs, and your dreams. In order to get the most out of your designer, you should consider the price range you’d like to respect.

To give you our own “ballpark” numbers consider this: For kitchens, plan on $10-30K for cosmetic improvements (new cabinets or new countertops, backsplash and lighting); $30-70K for a kitchen remodel where plumbing and electrical may need to be moved/installed, and $70K and up for a luxury custom kitchen or bath design project.

The project will cost what you want it to cost. Our initial consultation will allow us to get to know each other better and see if there is a ‘fit’ for your particular project and what we offer. This first meeting is when we will talk about your investment level or budget for the project; everyone has some idea of what they want to spend. We will be able to tell you then and there if what you want will match with what you want to spend. Your budget will allow us to guide you through the many decisions required of any home improvement project. Our knowledge and expertise can provide you alternatives, where necessary, to help your project remain on target.

We provide extremely detailed and accurate estimates. Every cabinet, every finish, every drawer pull is included in our estimate. It is always our goal to respect your budget and maximize the value of your investment, which is why we spend so much time planning, researching, sourcing, and costing your project before presenting you with a formal estimate.

If it’s kitchen or bath-related, it’s our specialty. We source and supply nearly everything, from cabinetry to plumbing to drawer pulls. We partner with the highest quality vendors in our industry, and we leverage those relationships and their quality guarantees to ensure that you receive the superior kitchen or bath you desire. We find that our clients appreciate us taking care of the inevitable hiccups that arise with the purchase of cabinetry, fixtures, hardware and more. It is also important to ensure that all of the pieces selected complement your design scheme.

We do not. Most people are surprised to learn that re-facing or replacing cabinetry doors can be just as, if not more, costly than buying new quality semi-custom cabinets! Furthermore, these techniques are only options if you are satisfied with your existing layout and plan, if your existing cabinets are in good structural condition, and if you have enough storage and counter space.

No, we do not sell appliances, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have opinions or ideas for you. We are familiar with all major brands and can make recommendations or suggestions as we work on your kitchen design, if you so desire.

Designing your dream kitchen or bath is fun and exciting. Our role is to provide as much or as little guidance as you wish. We are your problem solvers. While thousands of decisions stand between you and your finished space, we make it easy. You may know what you want (which is great!), and we know how to help you achieve it. Not quite sure what you want? Don’t worry. We are experts at asking the right questions, and we know how to interpret the “between the lines” information you share with us to help you arrive at the “I’ll-know-it-when-I see it-moment.”

Yes, we are delighted to work with your builder, architect, contractor, interior designer or tradespeople. We are can also to refer you to those who can help as well. We know that a collaborative approach with the other professionals involved in your project has your best interests at heart.