Getting Started
Begin by filling out the Service Request and Project Description (online forms). PamDesigns will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your Service Request, Project Description. I will attempt to call you during business hours and days in your time zone (between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday- except holidays) to clarify any issues with your requests or answer any questions you may have -or just to say “Hi and thanks for considering PamDesigns to fulfill your design needs”. However, you can call me anytime you wish -day or night- though be prepared for some really strange responses if you call outside of normal business days and hours in my time zone…
Next, you will need to create a floor plan sketch of the space that will have cabinetry specified in it. Be sure to include dimensions (in inches please -not feet and inches and definitely not metric even if the cabinets are). Don’t send floor plans “to scale” without dimensions on them. For help doing this, see the documents at the right: Measuring Guidelines and Sample Floor Plan Sketch. If you have a cabinet layout in mind, you can sketch the cabinet boxes in as well. This will be used to estimate the project cost. (If a cabinet layout has not been determined, PamDesigns will make an estimate based on your requests and an evaluation of the floor plan sketch.) Please note the estimate as noted on your agreement is a starting point that is used to determine your deposit and initiate the project. It will not likely be the actual cost of the project as there are usually design changes and revisions (because people tend to change their minds -a lot) even to the simplest of cabinet layouts, before a project is determined to be complete and “order ready.”
If you are requesting a 20-20 Design retail price quote along with a plan set, make a notation of accessories that may not be visible in the drawings such as roll out shelves, lazy susans, tray dividers, cutting boards, sink base tilt-outs, or cutlery inserts and construction features such as glass door inserts, drawer box material, dove-tail drawers, construction features, soft-close drawers, finished interiors, special finish characteristics like glazing or distressing –or any other features that you know of that will effect the price of the cabinetry and that may be unique to the line of cabinetry you are using. I’ll always add a touch-up kit if it’s available from your manufacturer, though extra pints or quarts of finish are something that you would likely need to order separately from your cabinet order due to shipping restrictions so will not be included. (No, begging does not help.)
If you want PamDesigns to design a cabinet layout, you will need to show where critical elements are located like ceiling vents, plumbing location on walls for water and gas, etc. You will need to show any obstacles that would impede the location of cabinetry, appliances or counter tops such as soffits, door and window casings, light fixtures or electrial switches and outlets that can’t be relocated. This includes door swings of appliances and cabinets. Sometimes elevation sketches are needed to show where objects and obstacles are located that cannot be shown in a floor plan sketch. Though you can usually note things like how far a window sill is from the finished floor without actually having to draw it in an elevation.
We’ll likely be having phone conversations and/or exchanging emails about things that need clarification. I try never to assume anything that isn’t painfully obvious –so if your sketches are not clear or your notes are illegible, you’ll be hearing from me. If you want me to fit square pegs into round holes –you’ll be hearing from me. However, design aesthetic is a sticky wicket. Personally, I feel that function and form are equally important in design –even in kitchens. However, I will always defer to you to decide questionable details or plans. I use NKBA guidelines (as guidelines only) but I know that site conditions can be less than ideal or client preferences force us to think outside the box. I always try to “value engineer” my designs to keep costs down and will never knowingly add on accessories, features or construction details to cabinetry that increase the price. So it is important that you relay these added details to me (preferably before I create the design rather than after).
If possible, take photos of the rooms where cabinets are going to be located. Determine if there are any access restrictions for getting large cabinets or appliances to the room, staircases or stories above and/or below. Consider storage restrictions and staging the cabinetry when it will be installed.
Fax your floor plan sketches and notes to PamDesigns (toll free) to (866) 338-2230. If you have the capability, you can scan your documents and email them as attachments to: pam@pamdesigns.net. Do not attempt to fax photographic images (they tend to appear as gray blobs void of color and detail). If you need to send anything to me via snail mail, the address is:
PamDesigns
1003 Anabelle St.
Santa Maria, CA 93458
In order to create brand specific cabinet layouts and 20-20 retail price quotes, you will need to provide your cabinet manufacturer’s 20-20 catalog and specification guide. If I have not previously specified your line of cabinets, I will need to have access to download the 20-20 catalog from the manufacturer through your dealer account. Check to see if I have already been set up through another dealer for the brand you are specifying. Once I have your 20-20 catalog and specification guide on file, I will use them for future projects. Nowadays, spec guides are often provided in PDF format online by manufacturers, so you may not need to mail me copies (though I will need access to them through your dealer account with the manufacturer).
Once you’ve completed the online forms and I’ve received all the documentation you’ll be sending (floor plans, notes, photos, spec guides, etc.), I’ll prepare the Project Agreement. Then I’ll sign it and email it to you for your signature. Print out the agreement, sign it and return it to me with your deposit. To expedite the process, you can fax or email the signed Project Agreement to me and pay your deposit via the PayPal button. If you use the PayPal button, you’ll need to add 2 percent of the deposit amount to cover service charges. To mail your agreement and/or deposit, send it to the address above. The start date for the project is the date PamDesigns receives the signed Project Agreement and deposit.