The Kitchen/Bath Customer Service Process

Prepare for the Initial Meeting:

Adding or remodeling a kitchen or bath is a financial investment. A smart homeowner will not make investments without knowing exactly what is involved. Kitchen Bath Mart can give you a good faith estimated range based on the size of the project and the general information you provide and by matching Kitchen Bath Mart's historical data to the project.

After we have worked with you to assess the scope of your project in terms of design, structure, and finishes, we are then able to provide you with a realistic cost. Because we are a design/build firm, that is, designers and builders, under one roof, we can examine the trade-offs of all your project's structural, financial, and design challenges at the same time.

For our first meeting, prepare a "wish list" of issues you would like to address. Place them in order of priority to you. Is it more important to have a larger laundry area or a fancy French door off the master bathroom? In the event costs exceed your specified budget, which items would you eliminate first?

Think about why you want to change or add space. Is the kitchen too small for your growing family's needs? Do you need to add a bath to an in-law suite designed for aging parents? How will the renovation enhance your lifestyle?

Draw a sketch of what you envision to illustrate your ideas. Look through magazines about kitchen or bath remodeling and decorating, noting those items that appeal to you.
Devote serious thought to your budget parameters.

Investigate how you will finance the project. Home equity loans, cash from savings accounts, and refinancing are common options. There are many variables that go into the cost of a project: quality of products, workmanship, service, guarantees of work, and material selections. While a kitchen or bath construction or renovation may seem daunting, the process is easier to understand and manage when broken down.

WE FOLLOW A STEPWISE APPROACH

During our first meeting in your home, we listen to your needs, desires, and hopes for your new space. We ask you to be clear about your budget constraints. In this way, we are able to design a project that is affordable. We will also:

  • Present Kitchen Bath Mart's credentials
  • Establish your wish list
  • Evaluate the project feasibility
  • Perform a preliminary check of existing mechanical and structural systems
  • Provide a municipal assessment (zoning, drainage, septic issues), if required
  • Determine price range and target design budget
  • Determine the next step: Design Agreement

If a Design Agreement is accomplished during Step 1, Kitchen Bath Mart will work with you to develop the conceptual drawings and the preliminary specifications and costs of your project. The cost will vary depending on requirements. We will generate the following:

  • Photos and measurements of existing conditions
  • Drawings of proposed new space
  • Design refinement
  • Walk-through of home or site with subcontractors/specialists
  • Requests for proposals from subcontractors/specialists
  • Development of detailed project specifications
  • Assistance with product selections, materials, and finishes
  • Preparation of comprehensive construction costs

Once you are satisfied with the drawings, specifications, and costs outlined in Step 2, a Construction Contract is prepared. We are then able to proceed with pre-construction activities, including:

  • Finalizing the preliminary designs as working construction plans/sections/details
  • Engineering, if required
  • Permitting, if required
  • Providing a tentative construction schedule
  • Pre-construction conference

Finally, we can begin the construction phase. This is an exciting time, and enthusiasm will be high. Keep in mind, however, that your home will soon become a worksite. We will:

  • Communicate clearly with you throughout the process
  • Provide total project management
  • Coordinate county and city inspections, if required
  • Protect your home/furnishings
  • Provide daily clean-up of the work area
  • Maintain security on-site
  • Enforce employee and subcontractor respect for your privacy and home/belongings
  • Immediately remediate any problems that may arise

While your project may be coming to a close, Kitchen Bath Mart's relationship with you is not. We have built a successful firm by retaining clients for life and relying on them for referrals to family and friends. Our One-Year Limited Warranty is one way of ensuring complete customer satisfaction. We will:

  • Conduct a final walk-through to be certain that all items have been attended to properly
  • Provide a project binder with warranty and maintenance information
  • Take final photos