Do Kitchen Designers Come to Your House?

If you’re considering hiring a kitchen designer, you might be wondering whether they actually visit your home or work off plans. It’s a fair question — after all, kitchens are personal, and no two spaces are alike.

Short answer: Yes, most kitchen designers will come to your house to measure, assess the space, and understand how you live. Some also offer remote or online design services if you already have accurate plans.

Why do designers visit your home?

A home visit isn’t just about measuring walls. It allows your designer to:

• See how you live day-to-day — Are you a family that cooks together? Do kids do homework at the island?

• Spot details you might miss — Window placement, natural light, power points, awkward corners.

• Check context — Flow to dining, living, or outdoor spaces.

• Measure accurately — Even small errors can cause big joinery issues later.

What happens during a home visit?

Typically, a kitchen designer will:

1. Walk through your space and listen to your needs.

2. Take precise measurements (walls, doors, windows, ceiling heights).

3. Photograph or sketch the existing kitchen for reference.

4. Ask about your routines, cooking style, storage pain points, and wishlist.

5. Discuss any renovation constraints (structural walls, plumbing, electrical).

What if I don’t want an in-home visit?

• Remote design: Some designers (especially for simple layouts or new builds) can work off architect/draftsman plans.

• Hybrid option: Start with an online consult, then confirm details with a shorter site visit later.

• Client-provided info: If you’re confident measuring and photographing your space, that can work too — though accuracy is critical.

Local context: Hawke’s Bay

In Hawke’s Bay, many homes are older villas or 70s/80s blocks. On-site visits are especially useful here because walls may not be straight, power outlets may be scarce, and services can be tricky. A site check often uncovers realities that aren’t visible on paper.

3 tips to prepare for a designer’s visit

1. Write down pain points — What drives you mad about your current kitchen?

2. Collect inspiration — Photos, Pinterest boards, or even a list of “must haves.”

3. Think about budget — Even a rough range helps guide early discussions.