While this particular section is fairly long, we want you to get a feel for many of the steps involved in either modifying or creating a totally new kitchen for your home.

First meeting — Let's meet and talk.

Second meeting — Our first meeting will lead to a second meeting.

Design begins — You're ready for design work to begin.

Measurements — Now it's time for us to come back and take your measurements.

Final plan — Give us a week or so to create your final plan.

Accessories — We help every step of the way.

Final adjustments — Yes, there is still time to make minor adjustments.

Arrival day — Your dream day arrives.

Installation — As cabinets and counters get fitted into place, you begin to see the plans come to life.

Follow up — There are lots of details besides installing the cabinets.

We're local — We're there every step of the way.

Referrals — Another reason we keep our business local is this.

 

First meeting

Let's meet and talk. We can meet in your home or in our showroom conveniently located in downtown Millburn, New Jersey. The first thing we need to do is listen to your ideas, wishes, even dreams for a kitchen. While we will eventually need to see your current space, perhaps a visit to our showroom is the best place to start. Bring a little sketch, if you like, of your current kitchen. Coming to our showroom allows us to show you our portfolio beyond what is on our website. You'll also see free standing models and be able to touch some of the woods and stones available. We can look at any photographs you have kept from magazines of your dream kitchen. We can give you references. There is obviously no fee for this session. Consider it an introduction. Feel free to work directly with us or bring your architect if you are doing more than just the kitchen.
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Second meeting

Our first meeting will lead to a second meeting. If the first meeting is in our showroom, then it might be better to have the second session in your home. By the end of this second meeting, we should have a pretty good idea of your wishes and dreams and even budget parameters for your new kitchen. Our designer or principal will attend this session. At this point, we will attempt to answer any further questions, explain our retainer agreement and how it works. Basically, we will design your dream kitchen for a reasonable fee and it will be deleted 100% if you sign a contract for the actual work to be performed.
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Design begins.

You're ready for design work to begin. You've agreed to the reasonable retainer, made a preliminary selection of a basic style (modern, colonial, traditional, country, etc) and narrowed your choices of materials (woods, counter tops, veneers, etc.). We have plenty of samples to pick from.
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Measurements

Now it's time for us to come back and take your measurements. This is a critical step. We take the most accurate laser measurements of your existing space before we start your actual plan. Once we have those measurements, we use our sophisticated software and top onsite designer to begin preparing the plan.
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Support

Other sub contractors will probably be involved. Either we will help you clear out the old kitchen or your contractor will. If you don't have a local plumber and electrician, we can suggest good accredited ones in the area we have worked with before. We will need to know in advance the exact new appliances and their specs you want to order so they fit into the final plan. We will also work with you so you can select counter tops be it granite, marble, Corian or even cement. We work closely with fabricators to make sure that when your cabinets are in place they are available to come in and do their templates before final cutting of any stone.
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Final plan

Give us a week or so to create your final plan. When we bring the finished plan, we also bring the actual pricing and contract and payment plans available. Until this stage, you had an estimate. Now as the plan becomes finalized, we give you firm pricing for all specific materials and construction and installation. The plan is not just a top down floor plan but also except a tight rendering of elevations so you really see what you want to build.
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Accessories

We help with every step of the way. Picking the countertop surfaces and backsplashes is only part of it. We also discuss the pros and cons of each appliance you want to consider. We work closely with you to select (from the hundreds of choices) the appropriate hardware for drawers and cabinets. And if you are working without an architect, we are glad to advise you on lighting and flooring choices that work with your new kitchen.
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Final adjustments

Yes, there is still a time to make minor adjustments and tweaks in the plan. These adjustments may or may not affect the cost. We want you to be 100% happy.
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Arrival day

The dream day arrives. First the cabinets arrive. At this point, we begin building your dream kitchen. We will agree on a delivery date. Construction time really depends on the scope and complexity of each job. But once we give you a date, we are very good at staying on schedule even to the portion of the day that you can expect delivery.
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Installation

As cabinets and counters get fitted into place you begin to see the plans come to life. Our licensed, insured installers, who have a proven track record of reliability and performance, will be there on the date promised to begin putting in the cabinets. We provide project management so that you can be free to go about your business.
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Follow up

There are lots of details besides installing the cabinets. After the cabinets are installed, we coordinate with the fabricator to come and install countertops and backsplashes — the same with plumbers and electricians if you don't have a contractor or architect overseeing the job. When the appliances are in place and hooked up, the final item is to meticulously put on all of the hardware you have selected so it all lines up perfectly.
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We're local

We're there every step of the way. That's the main reason we only except business within our area of Essex, Union and Morris Counties or close to home. The difference is in the details and we stay very close to every step in the process.
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Referrals

Another reason we keep our business local is this. Our new business is primarily based on referrals from more than satisfied customers. We want our current clients and future clients to know we are in the neighborhood and close by. That's the way we like to do business. If you love your new Sawhorse Designs kitchen as much as we think you will, you will tell your neighbors.
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