FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I believe that every single person should have a great space to live, whether it is one room, a studio apartment, a 2 bedroom house, or even a 6 bedroom house. That great space should be where you can rejuvenate, relax, and feel completely comfortable, no matter what your tastes are. This fabulous environment makes you feel good, so that you can go out and do the great work you were called to do. Think quick about your home and internally, what happens to your energy? Does it dip, waver, not feel centered, or go up? That intrinsic emotion tells you that something may or may not need to be addressed in your home. Feeling good about your home so that your energy is elevated is our end goal. And, remember, that balance does not take a fortune to make happen. However, if you want to spend a fortune, that’s ok too.

I have been a kitchen and bath designer for 22 years now, with most of that doing full service custom residential remodel design, including cabinets, counters, appliances, tile, lighting, flooring, carpet, plumbing, paint and overall design. With over 600 projects completed, there are few design challenges that I can’t solve.  I am always learning new design concepts, product knowledge, and color theory. 

Depending on the scope of the work you are doing will depend on who is paying. For instance, if you are doing an interior paint project, the painter pays for all materials and labor and you pay the painter. If you are doing a large scale project and have a General Contractor, then you pay the General Contractor for materials and labor. You pay my firm for design advice, drafting, planning, materials selections, color choices, work as an owner’s representative, site visits, travel, and cabinet purchases.

We back up all of our manufacturer’s warranties, including cabinets, flooring, lighting, tile, plumbing, appliances, and carpet. Keep in mind that granite orders only carry a one year labor warranty, no warranty on materials. We are happy to review any and all warranties prior to order.

While there are many great things about HGTV, there are also some challenges we all face. If participation is something you feel strongly about and have the proper tools, knowledge, and ability, then we are happy to involve you in the project! Let’s discuss and figure out how we can work together.

For the design and planning, quite a bit as we review products and make selections. Once the product is ordered, most of the communication will come from the contractor regarding installation schedules, etc. We will notify you when a product is ordered and delivered to the job site, or if there is an issue regarding the ordering or receiving of a product.

Our fee structure is simple: no fee for the Get Acquainted call. Then, a flat rate for the Design Consultation. If you move forward to a Love your home design package, then we credit the Design Consultation to the package fee. Finally, if you want help with Materials Selection, shopping and site work or owner’s representative, we offer a competitive package or hourly rate.
We no longer offer project management services or general contracting.

Hourly rate varies by scope of work, project length & involvement. We discuss all of the payment options with our clients to determine the best option for all parties. The design contract & design fee paperwork will reflect agreed upon terms.

Pets at a job site are strongly discouraged, because there will be sharp items around, loud noises, and stuff they can get into. We do ask that if pets are at home during the remodel, they are crated, or segregated to a separate room. We would hate for Fluffy and Fido to accidentally get outside! Children are welcome, but please keep them in sight at all times and out of the contractors and workers work space. We want them to have a great experience, too! If you have an elderly person at the house, let’s discuss the circumstances and what we all need to be aware of to make their day enjoyable.

The contractor takes care of all construction related documents, including state materials testing, permits, building inspections, and making sure all subs and workers are doing work up to code.

All remodels require state testing of all materials to be removed. The contractor will work with a local testing agency to send in samples of materials we are removing to make sure they are lead and asbestos free. If the house was built prior to 1978, chances are that some portion of the materials will have one or the either. If a test comes back positive, then the contractor will work with the local remediation company to take care of any lead or asbestos. In addition, if the contractor discovers mold in any part of the house when completing the demo, that person will contact a local company for testing and remediating the mold. Because of the health concerns for each of these items, we take them very seriously. Unfortunately, they are also typically an unforeseen expense, but one that has to be taken to complete the remodel.

Our office hours are by appointment only. We do work some evenings and Saturday mornings to allow scheduling flexibility. Please allow at least two weeks notice for any appointment, so that we can be prepared and present.

Typically email (erica@ekkitchensanddesign.com) is the best way to contact us, as we are often in the field, selecting product, or meeting with clients. However, if it is urgent, then send us a text or call 970.531.6860.

Most homes can be improved, but the best remodeling projects solve specific problems. If your kitchen feels cramped, storage is lacking, rooms go unused, or your home no longer supports your lifestyle, a remodeling project may be a worthwhile investment.

The answer depends on your budget, location, and long-term goals. Many homeowners discover they can create the functionality they want through remodeling while avoiding the cost and disruption of moving. A professional evaluation can help determine which option makes the most sense.

Start by identifying what’s not working in your home. Think about your daily routines, frustrations, storage needs, and future plans. Gathering inspiration photos is helpful, but understanding your functional needs is even more important.

Kitchen remodeling costs vary significantly depending on the size of the space, materials selected, structural changes, and appliance choices. A professional consultation can help establish realistic expectations based on your goals and investment level.

Bathroom remodeling costs depend on factors such as room size, fixture selections, plumbing modifications, and finish materials. Establishing priorities early helps ensure your investment delivers the greatest value.

Having both design and construction expertise helps bridge the gap between creative vision and practical execution. Potential construction challenges can often be identified during the design phase, reducing surprises during the build.

Unexpected conditions hidden behind walls, scope changes, material upgrades, and unforeseen structural issues are common causes of budget increases. Careful planning helps minimize these risks.

Successful projects begin with thorough planning, realistic budgeting, detailed design development, and clear communication before construction starts.

Many remodeling projects require permits, particularly when structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are involved. Permit requirements vary by municipality.

Timelines vary depending on project complexity, material availability, permitting requirements, and construction scope. Most projects involve design, planning, ordering, and construction phases.

Updated showers, improved storage, quality fixtures, modern lighting, and thoughtful space planning often provide the greatest impact.

The answer depends on your lifestyle, future plans, and local market expectations. Many homeowners prioritize accessibility and convenience, while others prefer retaining a bathtub for resale considerations.

Strategic lighting, larger mirrors, thoughtful storage solutions, glass shower enclosures, and efficient layouts can make smaller bathrooms feel more spacious.

Timeless materials, functional layouts, quality craftsmanship, and neutral palettes tend to remain appealing long after short-term trends fade.

Kitchen renovations, bathroom updates, improved functionality, and projects that address buyer concerns often provide strong value.

While no project guarantees a specific return, thoughtful improvements can enhance both marketability and everyday enjoyment.

Custom cabinetry can provide superior storage, functionality, and design flexibility when compared to many stock solutions. Although some projects require custom cabinets for specialty function, size or color, Erica also carries several lines that are great quality at a reasonable price that she can make to look custom. What you get will be determined on investment, timing, look, needs, and color.

Focus on how you actually live rather than what is currently popular. The best investments solve real problems and improve daily life.

Luxury remodeling focuses on creating highly personalized spaces tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle. The emphasis is often on craftsmanship, custom solutions, premium materials, and thoughtful design details rather than simply replacing existing finishes.

The appropriate investment depends on your home’s value, neighborhood, goals, and how long you plan to remain in the home. The best projects balance personal enjoyment with long-term value.

Not necessarily. Some premium materials offer meaningful benefits in durability and performance, while others are primarily aesthetic upgrades. The key is understanding which investments will provide the greatest value for your lifestyle.

Large islands, hidden storage solutions, professional-grade appliances, walk-in pantries, beverage stations, layered lighting, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections are frequently requested.

Focus on functionality, quality craftsmanship, classic proportions, and materials that age gracefully. Trends come and go, but thoughtful design remains relevant for years.

Aging in place refers to designing or remodeling a home so it remains safe, comfortable, and functional as homeowners grow older.

Wider doorways, curb less showers, improved lighting, accessible storage, non-slip flooring, and thoughtful circulation paths are common improvements.

Absolutely. Modern universal design principles can be integrated seamlessly into a home’s overall aesthetic without making it feel clinical or institutional.

Ideally before accessibility becomes necessary. Early planning provides more options and often results in better long-term outcomes.

Bathrooms, kitchens, entrances, hallways, and primary living spaces typically provide the greatest benefit.

The best layout depends on the home’s architecture, available space, cooking habits, family size, and entertainment needs.

While modern kitchens function differently than they once did, efficient relationships between preparation, cooking, refrigeration, and cleanup zones remain important.

Island size depends on room dimensions, intended use, circulation requirements, and overall kitchen workflow.

Most kitchens benefit from adequate clearance to allow comfortable movement, appliance access, and multiple users working simultaneously.

Effective workflow begins with understanding daily habits and creating logical zones for food storage, preparation, cooking, serving, and cleanup.

Prioritizing appearance over function. A beautiful kitchen that doesn’t support daily routines will quickly become frustrating.

Rushing into construction, underestimating budgets, prioritizing trends over functionality, and failing to plan for future needs are common mistakes.

Most regrets stem from design decisions that look attractive initially but fail to improve everyday living.

Not necessarily. Trends can be incorporated thoughtfully, but major investments should be guided by long-term functionality rather than short-term popularity.

Lighting is one of the most overlooked aspects of remodeling and can dramatically affect comfort, functionality, and appearance.

Most construction challenges can be traced back to decisions that should have been addressed before demolition began.