A finished kitchen may look simple in a photograph, but there are many decisions behind it. Layout, cabinetry, countertops and site conditions all affect what needs to be designed, made and installed. You don't need every answer before you begin; a few pieces of information make the first conversation more useful.
Explain what you want to improve
Start with what works and what frustrates you in the current kitchen. You might need more storage, a better preparation area or a stronger connection to the dining space. Explain who cooks, how often and what needs to be within reach.
Inspiration images communicate a visual direction. Everyday requirements help determine whether that direction can work for your home.
Gather photos and any available plans
Take wide views from several positions, plus details of windows, doors, service points and adjoining spaces. Explain whether a floor plan shows the existing conditions or an earlier proposal.
Rough dimensions help the initial discussion, but do not replace a site review. Measurements need a clear reference point, recorded heights and openings, and a list of anything still uncertain. Dimensions should not be guessed from photographs.
Identify your appliances
The refrigerator, cooktop, oven, hood and dishwasher influence the layout. The team will need the brand, model and relevant installation documents to develop the details.
An appliance's dimensions and the manufacturer's installation requirements are different pieces of information. Clearances, ventilation and connections need checking before fabrication.
Compare proposals on the same basis
Alongside the render, look for an understandable layout, specified materials, work items, inclusions, exclusions and outstanding decisions. Ask how design revisions are handled and what must be approved before production.
An indicative budget and preferred date help explore options. They do not replace a final quote or a confirmed schedule. For a condo project, include the building access and work rules that apply to your unit, and identify who can coordinate a site visit if you are away.