Are Kitchen Designers Worth It?

When planning a renovation, you might wonder if hiring a kitchen designer is worth the extra cost — or if you can go straight to a builder or kitchen company.

Short answer: Yes, a kitchen designer is worth it if you want a kitchen that’s functional, future-proof, and tailored to your life. The cost of design usually pays for itself in fewer mistakes, clearer builder quotes, and a kitchen that actually works.

Why hire a kitchen designer instead of going it alone?

• Clarity up front: You’ll know your layout, services, and finishes before trades begin.

• Time saved: Fewer last-minute choices = less decision fatigue.

• Budget protection: Builders and joiners can quote accurately from builder-ready drawings.

• Daily ease: Zones, clearances, and storage are thought through — not guessed at.

What mistakes do designers help you avoid?

• Benchtops too short for prep zones

• Power points in the wrong places

• Dishwasher blocking walkways

• Awkward door/window placement

• Underestimating storage needs

Fixing these mid-build is far more expensive than paying a designer up front.

Cost vs value

Design fees (NZ$800–$6,000+) feel like an extra line item — but compare that with:

• Moving plumbing late: +$2,000–$5,000

• Rebuilding joinery: +$10,000+

• Living with daily frustration: priceless

Local insight: Hawke’s Bay

In older Napier villas or 70s homes, block walls and minimal power outlets make renovations trickier. Designers in Hawke’s Bay understand these quirks and can solve them before demolition — saving stress and money.

3 quick signs a designer is worth it for you

1. You’re spending $20k+ on a kitchen (design is a tiny % of total).

2. Your layout has awkward walls, doors, or services.

3. You want your kitchen to feel calm and easy for your family.