SERVICES |
Consultation |
Design Retainer |
Design Fee |
Estimating |
Installation |
How do we get started?
Do you seek the perfect kitchen for your home, your family and you?
Have you talked with other kitchen designers and visited other kitchen sources,
yet are left with the feeling that there must be a better design direction
and solution.
Whether your need is creative design and quality cabinetry or whether you
need is moving walls, adding an addition to your home or some other involved
construction requirement, we can help. Design is more than setting cabinet
boxes around the room it's a very deliberate and thought out
process. Let's review the process.
Step One: Let's Meet.
Let's make an appointment to meet at your home
(if you are remodeling) or our studio (if you're planning new
construction). Tell us what your goals are Tell us
about your needs, wants and desires. During this initial interview,
we'll discuss many things and kick around different ideas and make suggestions.
While at your home, a lot will be covered from function to aesthetics
to budget. We'll measure and take digital photos of your kitchen, area
and rooms directly related to your proposed kitchen-remodeling project. If
you haven't already completed our
questionnaire in advance of this meeting, we'll ask you complete it and
fax or email it back to us.
Are we going to ask you for a design retainer at this time? Nope, not
yet. Why not? Liken it to visiting your favorite confectionery
and sampling a wonderful piece of chocolate just before purchasing
a pound of it. We'll take your completed questionaire, our notes, and
the dimensions of your space and develop a conceptual design plan ... an
idea ... a solution for your kitchen ... just a sampling of what we can
offer you. If you're a referral client and you're already familiar
with our capabilities, you might not even need to try the chocolate ... you
might just move forward to the design engagement.
Suggestion: Create an "Ideas Book" of what you like.
Get a three-ring binder, set up some tabs for categories (design ideas, features,
cabinetry, appliances, counters, and miscellaneous). When you're flipping
through a magazine, and see a design that catches your fancy cut it
out and insert it into your binder. Is there's a feature that intrigues you?
Spice storage ideas, maybe a new way to store dishes, whatever clip
it and include it in your binder. I think you get the idea! It is very
simple, yet provides a wealth of knowledge for your kitchen designer,
that will ultimately help reduce return trips to the drafting board for design
revisions. By the way ... make sure that the magazines you clip are your
own!
Step Two: Conceptual Design Presentation:
We'll meet here at our studio for a presentation where we'll discuss the
ideas we've created for you and your kitchen. We'll discuss
cabinetry, counters, appliances, flooring, electric, plumbing, and almost
everything associated with your kitchen project. Somewhere during this
meeting we'll also go over the budget. When you filled out the
questionnaire, you told us information about your styling likes such as preferred
wood specie and period of styling. That information along with a host
of other information assisted us in establishing a thumbnail budget for
this first meeting.
Now what to do? Well ... hopefully you've enjoyed the chocolate
and you're confident and comfortable with our capabilities and you're ready
to move forward. Moving forward means making a commitment in
the way of a design engagement.
Your home when within 90:minutes from our Bucks County based
design studio. Beyond 90:minutes may incur additional travel
expenses.
Step Three: Design Engagement
The design engagement is simply an
agreement between us that we'll complete and provide you with a detailed
set of plans for your kitchen. In exchange for the investment of our
time and resources, you'll compensate us for a specified amount relative
to the size of your project. Our design fee is based on a
per-square-foot amount. We base it on all or a portion of your
room size. We ask for 50% non-refundable design
retainer of the total amount at the time of engagement. When you
commit to the actual project, we'll credit your full design investment
to the deposit of your new kitchen with Hankins & Associates,
Inc.
Step Four: Design Presentation
Your design plans will be presented here at our Bucks County design studio.
Your views and feedback will be very important at this meeting. Review and
selection of cabinetry, door style, wood species and finishes will also be
done. Although you will not be asked to commit to your exact choices at this
time, we do need to determine certain parameters for more precise estimating
purposes. Appliance requirements, make and models, along with counter surfacing
and sink equipment options will be discussed. With this information in hand,
your designer will be able to begin comprehensive pricing your project. Design
plans and/ or conceptual sketches will not be released unless the client
has signed a letter of agreement committing to the project or the Design
Fee has been paid "in full". Your non-refundable design
fee investment will be applied to the purchase price of your
contracted kitchen or bath with Hankins & Associates, Inc.

Step Five: Formal Plans & Pricing
When all the design requirements have been satisfied and selections made,
your designer will present to you the formal design plan and elevation
drawings. A type-written proposal, which includes an itemized cabinetry listing,
will accompany your design plans. Final selections will be made at this time
with regard to cabinetry and appliances. Counter surface color selections
may be done at this time or at another meeting. At this time, a deposit
representing fifty-percent (50%) of the cabinetry costs (less your design
retainer or design fee investment) will be required to proceed with ordering
and scheduling of your kitchen or bath.
Step Six: Ordering
Once you have authorized and deposited with us for your kitchen or bath.
We will submit your order to the selected cabinetry manufacturers, where
within a few short weeks we will receive the production acknowledgement
with complete materials listing and delivery dates. There can be no changes
or alterations to your order at this time without considerable financial
penalties.
Step Seven: Delivery & Installation
Once the manufacturer has given us a confirmed date and time for delivery,
we will contact you and advise you of the schedule. Please make your room
ready by removing all the loose contents. The time required to install
a kitchen varies, but we can assist by furnishing a estimated installation
schedule.
|
CONSULTATION |
| We provide an initial in-home consultation without
charge to clients with homes within a one (1) hour travel distance from
our Bucks County based studio. Homes beyond one hour shall be reviewed on
an individual basis. The purpose of the consultation is to discuss design,
budget, and project feasibility. Should you desire
to continue to the design phase, then a design retainer would be required.
[go top] |
DESIGN
RETAINER |
| Our Design Retainer is based on fifty (50%) percent
of the estimated Design Fee. The Design Fee is based on a square
footage cost of $7.00 per square foot. The square footage measurement
shall include the breakfast room or areas which may affect the overall kitchen
design. The Design Retainer, or $750.00 (min.), is due at the time
of signing the Design Agreement. Our
Design Agreement minimum is
$750.00.
View design agreement in HTML
format.
View design agreement in PDF
format.
- EXAMPLE - |
| Room Size: |
12' x 18' = 216 SqFt. |
| Cost Per SqFt. |
216 SqFt. x $7.00 = $1,512.00 |
| Design Retainer Deposit: |
$1,512.00 X .50 = $756.00 |
Total Design Fee:
(inclusive of amount deposited) |
$1,512.00 |
We will complete all steps (1 thru 3) necessary to provide complete comprehensive
pricing for your project. The design plans, together with all sketches
shall remain the property of Hankins & Associates, Inc. They
will not be released unless the Design Fee balance, or a commitment to contract
has been received. We will credit the full design retainer amount
towards the contract price of a kitchen or bath with Hankins & Associates,
Inc. We will credit the full design fee amount towards the contract
price of a kitchen or bath with Hankins & Associates, Inc., when
contracted within sixty (60) days of client receipt of the completed plans
and proposal. After sixty (60) days, fifty (50%) percent of the design
fee amount will be applied towards the contract price.
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DESIGN FEE |
| Design plans, together with any conceptual sketches, will
remain the property of Hankins & Associates, Inc. Once the
client approves the conceptual plans, advancement into more detailed plans
and elevations will commence. If upon completion of the final (or near
final) plans, the client desires to make changes, additional charges
may apply, based on the time invested to make such changes. Any
additional charges will be reviewed with the client before any work is done.
Such additional incurred charges may also be subject to full or partial
credit towards the contracted purchase price.
[go top] |
|
Comprehensive and detailed evaluation of your needs,
home and desires.
Schematic design plans with detailed elevations in 1/2-inch scale.
Moulding and special details in 1-inch and full scale views.
Assistance in selecting all materials, finishes and appliances.
Total accessibility to design and support staff.
Detailed installation documentation.
*Optionl: Electrical and lighting plans with supporting specifications
($240.00). *If we are to provide the electrical services, no
fee is charged for the planning phase.
-
Lighting plan/ layout (mfg. make & model).
-
Electrical duplex locations.
-
Appliance locations and specifications (compilation of appliance spec's).
-
Electrical legend.
-
(2) Blueprint copies.
|
View design agreement in HTML
format.
View design agreement in PDF
format.
Our Design Fee has been based on the following staff rates listed below; |
|
Designer (CKD):
Assistant: |
$90.00
$65.00 |
We are often asked if we provide design only services?
The answer is yes! Please contact our office for more
information. Fees vary based on type and size of project, location
and what involvement the client wants us to undertake. Our ability
is also hinged on the work already in the queue, with projects requiring
cabinetry taking precedence.
Master Bath Plan Example
Master Bath Elevations
Example
Kitchen Plan Example
Kitchen Elevations
Example
Kitchen Details Example
Hankins & Associates, Inc. invests an enormous amount of time and
resources into each and every design engagement. Design Fees and Retainers
are simply used to help offset part of the time we invest until such time
when the Client is ready to move forward. The use and practice of design
fees allow us the opportunity to invest more quality time with our clientele
in advance of a commitment and contract. |
ESTIMATING |
We do not charge for estimating when we are presented
with "tangible" kitchen (or other room) design plans this is done
without charge. However, for us to be able to estimate your kitchen, we must
have a design plan and definitive specifications to work from. Home plans
in 1/4-inch scale which simply furnish area size and provide placement for
the sink, cooktop and stove do not (typically) provide the information required
for a thorough estimate. If you possess the design plans necessary to estimate
from, you can contact our studio to arrange a time to meet to review your
plans. [go top]
Determining a budget for you new kitchen can be a confusing
task. What should you expect to invest? Please use the chart
below to help determine a basic budget and allocation of funds to a specific
area. A good rule of thumb is budgeting between 10% to 20% of
your homes market value towards your kitchen remodeling project. The
example we provide below uses 15% of a homes market value of $350,000.00
for the proposed kitchen remodeling cost of $52,500.00.
Please remember that this is only a guide and
all figures are subject to the size of the kitchen, quality level and custom
ability that you desire.
Example: The spreadsheet below illustrates two possible scenarios
based on a home market value of $350,000.00 and $600,000.00. The
second column example was adjusted slightly.
| 1. |
Cabinetry |
39% |
$20,475.00 |
$36,600.00 |
| 2. |
Counters |
12% |
$6,300.00 |
$9,900.00 |
| 3. |
Appliances/ Fixtures |
14% |
$7,350.00 |
$15,000.00 |
| 4. |
Flooring |
7% |
$3,675.00 |
$6,000.00 |
| 5. |
Installation |
13% |
$6,825.00 |
$11,700.00 |
| 6. |
Electrical/Plumbing |
11% |
$5,775.00 |
$7,800.00 |
| 7. |
Misc./Other |
4% |
$2,100.00 |
$3,000.00 |
| Total Kitchen Budget-> |
$52,500.00 |
$90,000.00 |
|
INSTALLATION |
| Your project will be managed by a staff project manager.
Under his guidance and coordination, your project will move
efficiently from start to finish, providing a smooth "turn-key"
installation. The cabinet installation, plumbing, electric, flooring
and tile installation shall be conducted under his watchful eye. Available
services include;[go top] |
|
Flooring - We can install wood or tile flooring. Tile
floors can be installed on "wet-bed", with the optional "In-floor" radiant
heating. Wood floors range from strip, random and wide boards in various
wood species (including oak, maple, pine, mahogany, cherry, rosewood and
cypress just to name a few). We can also install cut-nails for an
authentic "farm-house" look.
Counter Surfaces - We work with a host of counter surfacing materials,
including Granite and Zodiac®. As an Authorized DuPont Corian®
Dealer, we feature and specify one of the finest Solid Surface counters available
... Corian®. We also work with various types of laminates, woods,
ceramic tiles, limestone and soap stone. DuPont Corian® offers
numerous
sink bowl options which are integrated to your Corian®
counter surface, providing seamless flow from countertop to drain.
Appliances & Sink Equipment - Working with two of the most respected
providers of appliances in the Delaware Valley and New Jersey, we can assist
you in the selection of all of your appliance needs.
Plumbing - If your project is new construction or an addition, your
Building Contractor will [most likely] provide the Plumber under his or her
contract. If your project is reconstruction, you may use the Plumber (if
you currently have one) who is already familiar with your homes system
or we can provide our contracted and registered Master Plumber.
Electrical - If your project is new construction or an addition, your
Building Contractor will [most likely] provide the Electrician under his
or her contract. If your project is reconstruction, you may use the Electrician
(if you currently have one) who is already familiar with your homes system
or we can provide our contracted licensed Electrician.
Electrical Plan: We will complete and provide an electrical plan.
Tile Installation - Tile is often used on floors, counters and backsplash
areas. The type of tiles we often suggest include; natural, man-made and
machine ceramic tile. Tile floors can be installed on "wet-bed", with the
optional "In-floor" radiant heating. Link:
Tec
Product Calculator.
Construction - Does your project require building an addition
to your home? Thinking about taking down or relocating walls? We
can take care of your full remodeling and construction needs.
|
ARCHITECTS &
BUILDERS |
Dear Allied Professional:
If you've been looking to possibly forge a new relationship with a kitchen
and bath design firm or provider and source of exquisite cabinetry
please read on.
We're a service-added firm providing more than, we believe, most kitchen
and bath dealers with the capability of both hand-drafted and CAD
drawings. We import and export in "dxf" and "dwg" formats so that they may
be incorporated into your plans.
As an Affiliate Member of the
AIA Philadelphia, we're
sensitive to architectural design and creative vision we don't
indiscriminately fill a room with cabinetry or details that are improperly
executed or not consistent with the architecture or style direction of the
client, architect or interior designer. As with all projects, we listen,
we absorb we learn about our client and their project ... their
vision.
We're happy to offer input with your electrical and lighting planning, providing
a detailed schematic, complete with legend so that your electrician can
efficiently accomplish your electrical needs.
We provide installation packets that include complete plan view, elevation
and moulding details, with technical specifications of all the appliances
and sink equipment an invaluable service not everyone provides.
We'll meet with builders on site to precisely layout the kitchen for
their plumber, electrician and HVAC mechanics needs. We'll review framing
before the sheetrock is installed to make sure that there are no
surprises once the cabinetry arrives. We'll meet to discuss
ventilation-ducting requirements.
We've got the resources to achieve virtually any design requirement
bar none!
If you're ready for a change or simply want to meet to talk to us one on
one
please email or call us today.
Attitude
"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look
for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." |
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Hankins & Associates, Inc.
Bucks County Pennsylvania
tel: 800.794.6830
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Serving
Delaware Florida Maryland
New Jersey New York
Pennsylvania
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
W.A. NANCE |