Our goal, here at Harbourside Kitchens, is to design a kitchen to fit you perfectly.

This brief "step by step" synopsis of the process is meant to help you understand what we, as your Designer, need to know in order to design and bring to completion your custom kitchen or bath. Naturally, each client has his or her own special needs, so some of these steps may vary.

STEP 1 — First Showroom Visit

Upon the first contact or visit with your Designer at our Showroom, you will receive an overview of the product lines we handle. You will also be asked questions concerning your design needs, and be given brochures on the cabinet lines you seem most interested in.

STEP 2 - Measuring

In this packet is a "Steps to Measure Your Kitchen" instruction page. Just follow the instructions on the sheet. This is for kitchen renovations only. If you are building your home, the Designer will make a copy of your house plans.

STEP 3 — Wish List

Making your "wish" list of style, appliances, accessories and how you want to live in your new kitchen. You will be shown both in the showroom, and in cabinetry brochures, style options and accessories you might need or like to have included within the design of your kitchen.  

STEP 4 - Appliances

Your appliance selection is critical to your design. In this beginning stage, it is still very important to have at least a good idea of the sizes of the appliances you wish to have (example - cooktop and double oven, or freestanding stove; size and style of refrigerator (ex. 36-inch wide, side-by-side, built-in refrigerator).

STEP 5 — Style & Finish

In order to complete a cabinetry estimate for your kitchen, you will need to choose the door styles, wood and finishes you prefer. At Harbourside Kitchens, you can narrow down your choices, with the assistance of an experienced Designer, by looking at our vast array of samples and displays.

STEP 6 — Design & Estimate

After completing those five steps, your Designer has enough information to start a custom design for you, and establish an estimated cost of your kitchen. However, giving your Designer a budget to work within will help to guide you to the product selection that will best suit your needs.

The next consultation with your designer will include a presentation of your kitchen design and the estimated of the cost of cabinetry and countertops. This step generally solidifies a basic sense of the space and design. From this point, the fine-tuning of your kitchen begins. There is a possibility that there could be a few aspects of the design may be revised at this meeting.

STEP 7 — The Design Retainer

At this juncture, when the basic design is set, your designer will take a retainer fee from you before going any further. The retainer fee is 10% of the approximated cost of cabinetry.

This retainer will enable your Designer to move into the next stage – architectural drawings of the floor plan and elevations.   

This retainer fee is applied to the total cost of your custom kitchen.

STEP 8 — Field Measuring Your Existing Kitchen

Your Designer from Harbourside Kitchens, will come take complete and precise measurements of your kitchen area, and all other areas that will be requiring cabinetry.

STEP 9 — Refining Your Kitchen

Based on these accurate measurements, your Designer will refine and finalize the design layout. By this point, your appliance and fixture choices must be chosen and also finalized. At this time, your Designer will meet with your Contractor, Electrician and Plumber to verify and coordinate all the necessary construction information in order to delivery your kitchen correctly and on time.

STEPS 10 and 11 - Sign Off and Deposit

When the plans are finalized, your cabinetry will be ready to order. At this time, a deposit equal to 50% of the cabinetry cost will be required to order. You will also need to sign a Contract with your acceptance of the design plans.

STEP 12 — Ordering Your Appliances

The appliances you have chosen, will need to be ordered approximately 2-4 weeks prior to delivery of your cabinetry. Check with your appliance dealership for lead times on shipping your appliances.

STEP 13 — Construction

This will vary, depending on the work that is being done to create your new custom kitchen. Your contractor will let you know the time element needed to complete the job and when he or she will be ready for cabinet delivery and installation.

STEP 14 — Finalizing Your Counter-top Selection and Order

A few weeks before the delivery of your cabinetry, we will need to order your countertops and schedule a tentative date to template for fabrication and installation.

STEPS 15 and 16 - Balance of Kitchen Due & Delivery

Within four weeks of ordering your cabinets, we will have a delivery date from the manufacturer. The cabinetry balance is due upon delivery of your cabinetry.

STEP 17 — Installation

If Harbourside Kitchens is installing your cabinetry, we will start installation within 1-2 days of cabinet delivery.  

If your contractor is doing the installation, we will provide him with complete plans of your custom kitchen. We will also be available to go to the jobsite and answer any questions regarding the plans.

STEP 18 - -Follow Up

After installation, Harbourside Kitchens will do a “punch list" visit to assure everything has been delivered and installed properly. Any adjustments to door and drawer fronts can be done at this time.

STEP 19 — Relax & Enjoy Your New Custom Kitchen !

Designing Your Kitchen

“Step by Step”

• Visit the Showroom and/or make an appointment with one of our Designers. 
• Measure your own space
• Make your wish list
• Get your appliance list together
• Choose your cabinet manufacturer, doorstlye, wood type and finish.
• Design and estimate phase
• The design retainer
• The Designer field measures your space
• Refine your kitchen design
• Your design goes to drafting
• Final plans signed off
• Contract and deposit for your kitchen cabinetry
• Your cabinets are ordered
• Construction phase
• Countertop and backsplash selections finalized
• Appliances ordered
• Delivery of cabinets
• Delivery of appliances
• Installation of cabinets and appliances
• Templating and installation of countertops
• Installation of backsplash
• Plumbing and electrical hook-ups
• Completion of punch list