Why a Design Retainer?

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Our design retainer agreement is not intended as a design service, and should not be entered into unless client fully expects to go forward with their project using Tallahassee Kitchen Center as their supplier for cabinets and countertops. Retainer total is deducted from the purchase price of cabinets and countertops ordered within one year of acceptance of this agreement. Retainer is non-refundable. If client requests additional design work for other spaces, the same conditions apply to the additonal work.

Our decades of experience have revealed that most people do not conceptualize from line drawings (floor plans & elevations) exactly what the finished product will actually look like.

Fact: The Kitchen is generally the most expensive room in the home.

Upon moving into the home, the other rooms of the house are simply empty rooms. These other rooms are to be furnished (furniture, draperies, etc.)by the homeowner. As we have all discovered, this can be a very expensive undertaking, and requires much thought and research.

"How much does a kitchen cost?" is another frequently asked question. Again, as in furniture, there are many levels of quality and pricing. The answer to that is that there is no simple answer, because the price will vary due to the amount of cabinetry, moldings, accessories, type of wood, type of finishes, quality level, countertop material, door styles, etc.

In enlisting our design retainer, initially one of our qualified designers will ask you many questions as to life style, number of cooks and/or people in the household, favorite colors, themes, cooking preferences, storage needs, frequency and number of people attending entertainment functions, along with other questions pertaining to the customization of the kitchen space. Also, establishing "The Budget" is a very important factor because of the wide range of costs.

The next step is for our design staff to jointly take all of the information and start designing several concepts that we feel will suit your lifestyle today and for years to come. A meeting is then scheduled between the designer and the people making the final decisions of the project. At this time the designs are presented and explained (with floor plans, elevations, and perspective drawings that will simulate you viewing your kitchen from various vantage points ). We understand that a certain amount of study and discussion time is necessary between the people making the final decisions.

After your absorption period has passed, we will discuss your concerns and address any questions you may have. When we have studied your requests, we will make the modifications to your design and schedule another visit with us for your final presentation of drawings and contract.