Home Improvement Process
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    GETTING STARTED       VISITING OUR SHOWROOM
    The first time you stop into our showroom we will . . .

  1. Gather a scrapbook of notes, photos, and articles that you have collected.

  2. Get together with your family and ask them for their input and wish lists.

  3. Come up with a budget you can live with.

  4. Draw a rough sketch of your floor plan and take measurements (or, if building, get floor plan from architect or builder).

  5. If you would like, print and fill out the Kitchen Planning Guide.

  6. Call us to make an appointment, or stop into our showroom.

  

  1. Answer any questions you may have.

  2. Review and/or assist you in establishing a budget.

  3. Discuss your scrapbook of ideas (if you have one).

  4. Discuss your floor plan (if you have one) and go over some design ideas.

  5. Discuss your plans for utilizing the room you will be remodeling.
 
    IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE...       THE INSTALLATION PROCESS

  1. We will come to your home and take measurements.

  2. We will create a design, and draft perspectives, elevations, and a floor plan.

  3. We will provide you with a price.

  4. We will set up a meeting for you to discuss the design and pricing and discuss any potential modifications you would like to make.

  

  1. If necessary, we will make arrangements with your builder, architect, and/or designer to coordinate the installation.

  2. If necessary, we will remove your existing cabinetry and appliances.

  3. To ensure a quality installation, we will meet the installer at your home to discuss the details of your plan and installation.
 
MEASURING

Below is a step-by-step guide for drawing and measuring your kitchen. Each step is color coded and matches the corresponding color in the sample drawing below. To make it easier to draw your kitchen we have provided a grid that can be printed and used as grid paper.

NOTE: If you are remodeling, do not include current cabinetry or other furniture that will not be kept, such as kitchen tables, in your measurements.

NOTE: All of your measurements should be in inches. For example, if you measure a wall that is 10 feet, write it as 120" (a quotation mark (") denotes inches).
SAMPLE DRAWING

Sample Floor Plan - Albrite Bath and Kitchen - Measuring For Your New Kitchen - Measure a Kitchen Yourself! - Tucson, Arizona, AZ
STEP 1
Draw a rough outline of your kitchen. Use the following symbols in your drawing for doors and windows.
Doorway With Door, Doorway Without Door, Window, Obstruction
NOTE: For doorways with doors, draw the doorway according to which way the door swings.
STEP 2
Draw in any obstructions such as radiators, pipes, sink plumbing, etc. that you either can not, or do not, want moved.
STEP 3
A) Beginning at the top left of your drawing, label the windows "Window #1", "Window #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
B) Again at the top left of your drawing, label the doors "Door #1", "Door #2", etc. in a clockwise order.
C) Next to each wall, write the name of the adjacent room. If the wall is an "outside wall" write "exterior wall."
STEP 4
A) Measure any obstructions such as radiators, pipes, etc. that you either can not, or do not, want moved. If the obstruction is close to a wall, measure out from the wall to the edge of the obstruction.
B) Measure from the second closest wall to the edge of the obstruction.
C) If the obstruction does not span the full height of the room, measure the height of the obstruction.
FINAL STEP
Check your measurements. If your room is rectangular add up the measurements of the parallel walls and make sure they match (or are at least very close). For example, in our sample drawing, you would take the overall measurements of the top wall and add them together. Then do the same with the bottom wall. Once you have added each walls measurements check the totals to see if they match.

Top Wall:

24" + 42" + 24" + 12" + 42" + 12" = 156"

Bottom Wall:

12" + 40" + 104" = 156"

Left Wall:

21" + 42" + 52" = 115"

Right Wall:

18" + 97" = 115"



    REMODELING HINTS

  1. Cover doorways into other rooms with plastic.

  2. Pack everything that won't be needed into boxes. This will keep things dust-free.

  3. Keep essential items handy: basic food that can be micro waved, condiments, cereal, microwave-safe dishes and utensils, dishcloths, dishwasher soap, paper plates and cups, coffee, coffee pot and sugar/creamer, paper towels, napkins, and garbage bags.

  4. You will be without water in the kitchen for a short time. You may need to do dishes in another sink or the bathtub for awhile.

  5. Many contractors will wait until cabinets have arrived before tearing out your current cabinets. Be sure to clarify this point with your contractor.

  6. Set up the microwave and refrigerator in another area, along with a table for preparation.

  7. Stockpile restaurant coupons for the nights when you really want to eat out.

  8. Relax and rely on your kitchen designer. There will be a beautiful kitchen when all the dust is gone!!

Show Room: (520) 531-9187 / (by appointment) Fax: (520) 531-8598
To contact us click here: info@southwestkitchen.com
 Copyright 2007. Southwestkitchen.com. All Rights Reserved. Photos courtesy of Medallion Cabinetry.