Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the questions that we are asked most frequently - hopefully you will find these helpful but, if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Design & Planning 

1. When should we contact you about our project? 

The ideal time to contact us is during the early planning stages of your project, if possible before you've finalised your building plans. This allows us to provide input on layout options, structural considerations and service requirements that could significantly improve your kitchen's design and functionality. 

However, we're flexible and can work with projects at any stage. Since we design and deliver only around thirty projects per year and our project duration is typically 4-6 months, we recommend getting in touch as early as possible to secure your preferred timeline. Our free 20-30 minute consultation can help you understand how our process fits with your overall project schedule.  

2. How long does the design process take? 

Our design process can take as little or as long as you need - our record is 7 days from consultation to placing the order, whereas most projects take 1-3 months to do the initial concept design, then another 3 months to finalise the detailed design, conduct a final site survey, order, manufacture and then deliver the cabinetry (total 4-6 months). 

3. Do you provide 3D visualizations? 

Yes, we provide detailed visual representations of your kitchen design. Our in-house designers create plans, elevations and 3D visuals using powerful CAD software to help you understand exactly how your kitchen will look before installation begins. Version 1 typically features 3D wireframe, black and white drawings but by Version 3 you will have photo-like, colour renders of your kitchen. This ensures you can see almost every detail and make informed decisions about the final design. 

4. Can you work with my architect/interior designer/project manager? 

Absolutely. We have extensive experience collaborating with architects, interior designers, and project managers as part of a coordinated design team. During the design stage, we will work closely with your existing professionals to ensure our kitchen design integrates seamlessly with the overall project vision. This collaborative process means we can input early on layout options, structural considerations, and service requirements while respecting the broader design intent. We're experienced in coordinating with other professionals and sharing technical drawings, specifications, and timelines to ensure everyone is working towards the same goals. 

Installation  

5. What state does the kitchen space need to be in prior to fitting? 

We have a Site Readiness Standard that must be met throughout all rooms in which we are fitting cabinetry – basically, the kitchen should be almost the last item to be fitted: 

• Building condition: Weathertight with all external doors/windows fitted, heated to minimum 15°C with internal wall moisture content no more than 10% 

• Services: All first fix electrical/plumbing services in place and isolated/made safe 

• Walls and ceilings: Plastered and dry with wash coat applied 

• Flooring:  

• If laying after kitchen: subfloor must be ready with screed completely dried and any latex applied and fully dried 

• If tiles specified: must be laid, grouted and fully dried before kitchen fitting 

• Heating: Building's heating system must be commissioned regardless of time of year 

6. How long will the installation take?  

A typical kitchen takes about 3 weeks to fit in a structured sequence: 

• Week 1: Fitting base units, appliances, sink, and templating worktops 

• Week 2: Continuing with remaining cabinetry e.g. wall units, plinth, cornice etc, with worktops fitted Thursday/Friday 

• Week 3: Fitting any units on top of worktops, remaining items, and touch-up paintwork, plus second fix work by other trades e.g. fitting the tap, connecting the electrics etc. 

We oversee this through our comprehensive Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service, which includes at least 6 visits to site.  

7. Who fits your kitchens? 

We have several independent fitters whom we recommend to clients to fit their kitchens. They are highly experienced craftsmen, who are also very used to installing our kitchens, working alongside us and working with builders and their trades whom we know and our supporting suppliers e.g. our worktops supplier. This experience and these relationships are invaluable. 

If you use our fitters we will coordinate with them as part of our Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service, but they will invoice you directly for payment of the fitting fee itself. 

Alternatively, you are welcome to arrange fitting yourself, in which case our Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service is optional. 

7. Do you handle all trades (plumbing, electrical, tiling) or do I need to coordinate separately? 

Every project is different and there are various ways in which these trades can be managed. 

We can do either. On a larger project, with a main contractor, they will normally manage them as part of the wider project team.  

Alternatively, if it’s a smaller project and/or you don’t yet have a main contractor, we can recommend several builders who are perfect for smaller jobs e.g. to do the enabling works for a replacement kitchen, or to undertake internal modifications/create a small extension. They would act as the main contractor and manage the trades on your behalf. We can also recommend several project managers, who can then coordinate everything for you. 

In all cases our operations team will coordinate closely with them as part of our optional Site preparation and Fitting Management Service. 

8. How will you work with my builder and his trades? 

Our Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service includes the production and issue of project M&E (mechanical and electrical) plans, liaison with all builders and trades during site preparation, post-first fix M&E site checks to ensure electrical/lighting and plumbing services are correctly positioned, and all coordination throughout the fitting process. We conduct initial site meetings with your builder/trades to brief them on the design and M&E plans, and handle all communication to ensure everyone is aligned and working to the same standards. 

Financial 

9. Can we get an estimate of the price before we pay your design fee? 

Yes, absolutely. Before you pay anything, we can provide a ball-park estimate based on architects' plans, an existing kitchen layout or designs from another supplier, all free of charge and with no commitment. 

If you then choose to engage our design services, our design proposal then includes (by V3) a detailed quotation for the cabinetry and estimates for all other elements you'll need to consider when budgeting for your new kitchen, such as fitting, appliances and worktops. These design proposals are yours to keep, and you are free to use them as you wish, including if you decide to source your kitchen from elsewhere. 

We only request the 50% non-refundable cabinetry deposit if you decide to engage us to supply your kitchen. The design work up to that point - including up to three design versions with the final one featuring photo-like colour renders - comes included as part of the design fee 

10. What is the average cost for one of your kitchens? 

A typical mid-size kitchen with an island will cost c.£45-50k including solid wood cabinetry, worktops, appliances, LED lighting, handles, fitting and VAT. However, every Chisholm Design kitchen is unique, so costs vary significantly based on your specific requirements, materials chosen, and project complexity.  

For the same kitchen in our Hampton cabinetry (with standard, chipboard carcasses), the price tends to be lower e.g. c.£35-40k inc VAT. 

11. What is your payment schedule? 

We operate the following payment schedule aligned with project milestones (all with 7-day payment terms): 

• Cabinetry: 50%, non-refundable deposit before detailed design work begins, with the balance due 2 weeks before delivery 

• Appliances/Accessories/Wooden Worktops: Full payment prior to ordering 

• Worktops: 50% deposit with cabinetry balance, final balance due immediately upon fitting 

• Fitting: 25% deposit when confirming fitting date (4 weeks prior to delivery - forfeited if fitting delayed after this point), progress payments during fitting, final balance on completion 

Our Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service is invoiced 50% with cabinetry deposit and 50% with cabinetry balance. 

12. Do you offer financing options? 

We don't provide financing directly. We're happy to provide detailed quotations and payment schedules to help you with any financing applications. 

Suppliers 

13. Where are your cabinets made and what are they made from?  

We use a UK-based cabinetry supplier for our solid wood cabinetry, with whom we've worked for over 8 years. Their factory is based in Lithuania, which helps to keep the costs down. The quality of their workmanship and reliability of their service is exceptional, which is why we've worked with them for so long. 

This cabinetry features solid wood carcasses, with doors and drawer fronts made from wild cherry, together with solid oak drawer boxes. These come in a huge range of sizes and configurations but can also be made as bespoke as you need (a 10-20% surcharge will apply to each bespoke unit). Finally, they are factory-painted, colour-matched to any Farrow & Ball or Little Greene colour as standard (for a small surcharge they will colour match to any colour sample you provide).  

For those with a more limited budget, our Hampton range, made with veneered chipboard, may be an appealing option for some rooms. These are made by a UK supplier and have a more limited range of sizes/configurations and a more limited choice of colours. All this helps to keep the lead time and cost down. 

What warranties do you provide? 

For our solid wood cabinetry we provide a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects and a one-year warranty for any fitting defects. 

Quartz worktops all come with a supplier guarantee, as do all appliances. 

14. What brands do you work with for appliances? 

We work with most premium brands including Miele, Bosch, Neff, Siemens, Gaggenau, BORA, Fisher & Paykel, Liebherr, Quooker, Wolf, Sub Zero and others. During the design process, we'll recommend the best appliances to suit your cooking style, budget, and overall aethetic. 

15. What worktop materials do you recommend and who fits these? 

Quartz remains the most popular choice for our clients due to the wide choice of colours and patterns, the fact that it’s low maintenance and resists stains well. Wood used to be a popular budget choice for utility rooms, but it’s become much more expensive in recent years and it also needs to be maintained through regular oiling. We have a wide range of worktop samples in our showroom and can arrange visits to several suppliers. 

We use an excellent local worktop fabricator for all our quartz and stone worktops, whilst our fitter will fit wooden worktops, bench tops and shelves. 

Practical Concerns and Aftercare 

16. Will I need alternative cooking arrangements?  

If you’re living in the house, you will certainly need these. We'll discuss temporary kitchen arrangements during planning, and you should plan not to use the new kitchen until all elements (worktops, plumbing, electrical second fix) are completed. A good builder will be able to provide you with temporary arrangements and try to make life as comfortable as possible during what is almost inevitably a busy and disruptive time. 

17. How do you finish a project? 

We have a comprehensive project completion process to ensure everything meets our exacting standards. This includes a final inspection by our Operations Manager, thorough snagging by our fitter to address any final details, and a final visit by the designer to ensure the finished kitchen meets the original vision. 

In some cases, we may need to return subsequently - for example, if we needed to order a replacement component, or to complete painting touch-ups if the site is too dusty at the end of the fit itself. However, we don't close the project until we - and especially you - are fully satisfied with every aspect of the installation. 

18. How do you handle any issues that arise during installation? 

Our Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service significantly reduces error risk through systematic checks, detailed M&E plans, and post-first fix site checks with detailed reports. If issues arise, we will always move heaven and earth to make them right as quickly as possible, though any remedial work due to the site not meeting our readiness standard would be charged for separately. 

20. Can you provide references from recent clients or arrange showroom visits? 

Absolutely! We're proud of our client relationships and have numerous testimonials from satisfied customers. We can provide: 

• Client references: We're happy to connect you with previous clients who can share their experiences working with us 

• Showroom visits: You can book a visit to our showroom (by appointment only as we operate flexible working and the showroom isn't always open) 

• Portfolio examples: You can see numerous examples of our completed projects on our website 

• Testimonials: You can see lots of testimonials from past clients on our website and on Google. 

We rely almost entirely on client referrals so our reputation matters enormously - we're delighted to showcase our work and let our clients speak for themselves. 

Additional Services 

21. What is included in your Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service? 

Our Site Preparation and Fitting Management Service is designed to support you and your builder in getting the kitchen prepared correctly and to oversee the fitting process. This mandatory service (when we're fitting) or optional service (if you're arranging fitting) significantly reduces error risk and takes almost all the workload away from you. 

The service includes at least 6 visits to site: 

• Initial site meeting with builder/trades to brief on design and M&E plan 

• Post-first fix M&E site check to ensure all services are correctly positioned 

• Go/no go site meeting 5 weeks prior to delivery 

• Day 1 fitting brief 

• Mid-fit check (usually in week 1) 

• End of fit inspection and post-fit snagging resolution 

We also handle all liaison with builders and trades during site preparation, respond to information requests, accommodate changes to delivery/fitting dates, and manage extensive behind-the-scenes coordination – a typical project involves 150-200 email exchanges for site preparation and fitting management alone, as well as countless phone calls and WhatsApp messages). 

Ready to start your kitchen journey? You can book a free 30 minute discovery call with us to discuss your project and learn more about how we can help transform your space.