Frequently Asked Questions

It could! We ask all our clients to sign a marketing and photography release form, so your project could very well be featured on our website, in printed materials, and on social media. We do also ask for a project name that identifies your project, instead of your name. We value our clients privacy and think a project name is a great way to protect our clients. If a competition release needs to be signed by you, then we will let you know and by what date it needs to be signed.

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).

We love DIY-ers! So a lot of our DIY clients really only need concepts, ideas, or space planning and they can take the rest of the project and run with it. We have a concept package that is specifically created for you, where we will meet at your home, measure the room (typically this is a one room project), put it into our drafting software, and create a floor plan and elevations for you. If you want to have access to our expertise throughout your project, we can easily charge our hourly rate.

Oh, the reasons are endless! For starters, we eliminate the overwhelm. We also reduce the number of selections per category to make decision making manageable. We can handle all the material selections, ordering, coordinating with the contractor, project management, owner’s representation, and problem solving during the actual project. In essence, we make it easy for you to tackle a remodel from wherever in the world you live. Through email, FaceTime, text, and screen sharing, we can provide a professional, expert, and reliable remodel process and results. Still not sure? Schedule a Get Acquainted session and let us share how we can help.

EK Kitchens and Design specializes in design consultations, paint advice, space planning, design engineering, working with the contractor, and pulling all the hard finishes (cabinets, counters, tile, flooring, lighting, plumbing, carpet, appliances, paint, overall design plan) together. We can act as your Owner’s Representative on site as and if needed as well. We do not handle furniture, window treatments, table lamps, accessories, or art.

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 in, no matter what you 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.

We work where our clients are: in their home and at selections stores. I have my trusty design samples wagon and we can pull materials together at any number of locations, from Home Depot to Floor and Décor to specialty tile and counter design centers. Hours are by appointment, so please call ahead to get on the schedule.

We serve the Denver area and suburbs, including the Foothills. Lakewood, Littleton, Ken Caryl, Golden, Morrison, Genesee, Evergreen, Denver, Wheat Ridge, Applewood, Centennial, Englewood, South Glenn, and Arvada are all included. If you live outside these areas, let’s chat about your project and most likely we can figure out a solution. We also have completed projects in Denver, Parker, Lyons, Platteville, Fort Collins, and Golden.

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.

Well, today, of course! In all seriousness, anticipate about 2-3 months of design and planning prior to the actual start of the project. Some of our more complex remodels take a bit longer, so the best thing to do is schedule a Get Acquainted session so we can discuss your project, your time frame and how much time to allocate to design and planning vs the actual doing.

First, we have a conversation with our Get Acquainted call. This allows us to know what you hope to achieve and when and project details. 

From there, we do an in-home Love Your Home Design Consultation. This 90-minute, fun and interactive consultation will allow me to see your home, consider the objectives, and determine the next steps.

From there, I write up a Scope of Work and Design Agreement for us to get started.

Finally, the design work begins and our fun in transforming your home is underway. We will review our signature 6-step Design Process with you during our consultation.

Look forward to getting started with you soon!

Click on the ‘Schedule’ button at the top or bottom of the page and sign up for the Get Acquainted call.

All other appointment types can be set up directly via calling or texting 970-531-6860 or emailing me at erica@ekkitchensanddesign.com.

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.

Yes, of course we do! You are in charge of approving all materials, colors and details with support from me. You will also have agree in writing to have the products ordered and installed. Therefore, if we get to the final installation and there is a question of whether is liked, then we will do our best to suggest, research or recommend a different product. However, after a product is custom ordered or installed, it is virtually impossible to return to the vendor, so a change order may be needed to swap out the material.

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 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 do not offer project management services or general contracting any longer.

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.

Yes! If you refer a client to us and it turns into a viable project, then you get a 2-hour design voucher to use toward any future design service.

Short answer: Maybe. Long answer: if you are a referral client from a current client, a repeat client, or if you are a friend of the owner, then we would like to have a conversation with you about the project. We do not accept new build projects as a walk-in service.

Absolutely! We love to do remodels and love the amazing transformations we can create for your house. We have our systems and selection processes set up to specifically handle remodels, small, medium, and large scale projects. Give us a call to get started today and find out about our unique, in-home service.

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.

First, you as the client, are responsible for clearing out the room(s) we are remodeling, including any surrounding space. This means for a kitchen remodel, we want the kitchen to be devoid of all kitchen items, as well as any pictures on the walls, etc. Additionally, if there is a room that we need to walk through to get to the kitchen, then that room should be have everything put away and covered to prevent any potential damage. A lot of our clients put down carpet protector to prevent any damage. We can definitely review what needs to be removed or covered prior to beginning the remodel. Caution: if the room is not prepared for the remodel to be done when we start, it could cause delays in schedule and possibly contract cancellation.

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.

While a typical remodel could take six to eight weeks, we have had several projects that took as much as a year and a half. A lot of the timing is determined by the scope of work we are completing for you. More work, more intricate work will take longer. A simpler project may take a shorter time frame. All construction schedules are determined by the contractor, so let’s review together to make it successful.

First, if you are living at the house during the remodel, we want you to be as comfortable as possible, but keep in mind that it will be a construction zone. There will be dust, debris, loud noises, and rough surfaces. We would want to make sure you have a place to get ready in the morning, to sleep, to relax, and especially a place to do dishes and make coffee. Second, if you are not living in the house during the remodel (which is our preference) then removing anything that needs to be saved and all personal items in that room. For instance, in a laundry room remodel, we would want all cabinets and drawers emptied, the floor cleared, and closets cleaned out. We can review your specific preparation prior to the remodel beginning.

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.

Very little. Once we get going and have all the decisions made for the materials, the contractor and our firm work together to make sure materials arrive on time and design dilemmas are handled and the project continues to move along consistently. You are welcome to check the progress every so often, just send a note, a text, or call to let us know you are coming.

We really strive to have all the materials selected and priced out during the design and planning phase, so you have a fixed estimate to review. Additionally, the contractor will be able to give a fixed price (barring any unexpected circumstances) based on the design and the materials to be installed. There will be additional items to purchase, like cabinet hardware, furniture, accessories, and closet organizers. There even could be moving costs, depending on situation, and / or storage fees for old furniture or materials. Typically, we suggest having a contingency plan for about 20% of the project set aside for additional expenses.