| Frequently Asked Questions |
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I've
never heard of you, are you a new business? Why Should I come to Langford? What lines of cabinets do you carry? Why do I need to go to someone who specializes in kitchen design? Will you work with my Builder, Architect or Interior Designer? Will you just do the design of a kitchen or bath for me? Do you sell appliances? Do you other rooms besides kitchens? How far will you travel? Where do I start? Will you come to my home to give me ideas? Can you just give me an estimate? Why do I need to tell you how much I'm willing to spend? Why do I need to pay you a design fee when others will do it for free? How do I know that I will like the final design? When can I have a copy of the designs? How far in advance should we plan on contacting you to plan our project? Who will do the installation? What do you or should I do with my old cabinets? How can you guarantee that I will be pleased with the final product? Why are the plans for my kitchen copyrighted?
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I've
never heard of you, are you a new business? Richard Langford and the design team of Langford Kitchen Studio have been creating extraordinary culinary environments and beautiful bathroom retreats since 1988. Previously located in Voorheesville, the showroom moved to its current location of 155 Wolf Road at Metro Park Road in Albany, NY in 2002. Why Should I come to Langford? Details…details….details. We cover them all. Both during the design process in creating a unique project, and during and after the construction and installation. Our clients select us because their project is our passion. Not only will our design team’s energy and focus be directed at the creative process resulting in a beautiful plan, but our crews have been specially selected for quality and care, and have been trained in the special materials and processes of our designs to insure all of the unusual details have been addressed. No one cleans up daily like our team.
What lines of cabinets do you carry? We carry Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry, Varenna/Poliform, Neff Kitchens, Dutch Made Custom Cabinetry, and Medallion Cabinetry. We feel that each product line we carry represents a uniqueness and quality necessary to suit any project.
Why do I need to go to someone who specializes in
kitchen design?
A kitchen designer is a specialized professional who, through advanced education & experience, has developed the specialized skills & knowledge to effectively design a practical & efficient environment. They are familiar with the complex ergonomics that must be considered when planning a kitchen and can recommend the proper materials & products to create a safe & enduring space. The designers at Langford Kitchen Studio combine their background education in Interior Design with the guidelines & planning principles of the National Kitchen & Bath Association to design practical kitchens that reflect the taste & lifestyle of our clients. Our knowledge of products in today’s marketplace allows us to stay on top of trends & styles & deliver the “WOW” factor to your kitchen design.
Will you work with my Builder, Architect or
Interior Designer? Yes. We will work with any building professionals involved in your project at your request. The result of the collaboration between the various professionals will be a more comprehensive design with your best interests and project goals in mind.
Will you just do the design of a kitchen or bath
for me? The plans & drawings that are created during our design process are affiliated with specific products available through Langford Kitchen Studio. We are often able to generate unique design solutions because of the custom nature of many of our products. These solutions & elements may not be compatible with the product offerings of another line. Also, by designing with end products in mind, your designer can also have installation specifications in mind throughout the entire process. All designs remain the exclusive property of Langford Kitchen Studio until a final contract is signed for the sale of goods.
We feel
that we can offer you a far wider selection of options
by not carrying appliances. This way we can select from
all the manufacturers to suit you best. We work closely
with local distributors who can provide you with the
latest and highest quality appliances. Langford
Kitchen Studio will arrange for all details regarding
your project if you desire.
Do you do other rooms besides kitchens? Yes! If you have any need of a designed space for better function, we can help. We design any cabinetry related project: bathrooms, wardrobes, offices, libraries, media centers, and coordinating furniture. Because of today's technology distance is no longer a barrier. We have successfully designed and completed projects from Vermont to Florida. Our products can be delivered directly from the factory to you. With the ease of fax machines, digital images and telephones, we can design your space from any distance. We will go almost anywhere. The first thing to do is to determine the scope of your project and your investment level. When you talk with a designer, you will see if your goals match your investment level. In order to better convey to the designer how your want your space to be finished, start by gathering information by looking through magazines. In other words, start an "Idea Book". Fill the book with clippings of designs, colors, materials, details, etc. that you like and dislike. It's just as important to know what you don't like as well as like.
Will you come to my home to give me ideas? After establishing an Idea Book, the next step is to visit our showroom. This will give you a much better idea of what we can do for you. It will be an informative opportunity to see and feel the products we offer and if Langford Kitchen Studio is a good fit for you. Please give us a call if you would like to arrange an initial consultation.
If you
want to proceed further we can start the project
immediately with you securing our services by means of a
design retainer (see
question 15).
At our initial meeting in our showroom we will be able to give you preliminary ballpark budgets for a variety of aspects of your project. At this stage the initial estimates are subject to change based on various design elements and final selections made by you. We do not give estimates on any installation work until the final designs have been completed. Installation estimates are only as solid as the known conditions. Any latent conditions may significantly affect the installation/remodeling budget.
Why do I need to tell you how much I'm
willing to spend?
The
first step to a great project is to have a budget in
mind and to share that investment level with us from the
beginning. Your investment level is key to finding the
best products to fit your project. Each element of the
design provides numerous choices and installation
options with costs that are unique to those choices. We
need you to share with us what your expectations and
your budget are so we can educate you about the products
and options available. We will design based on what you
tell us you want and need in your kitchen or other
living spaces.
Why do I need to pay you a design fee when others
will do it for free?
One
gets what they pay for! It is simple logic that one
can layout 20 kitchens a week for just the sake of
laying them out, or a team of dedicated designers can
visit your site, determine the exact needs and goals, be
responsible for the electrical, plumbing, structural,
and all the innumerable details leading to a beautiful
and functional custom kitchen designed with your
requirements and expectations, and our level of
standards.
How do I know that I
will like the final design? You are part of the design process from start to finish. The lines of communication that are created during the initial interview and subsequent discussions are key elements in making the design process successful. The information that you provide helps our designers discover what your specific needs and desires are for the project as well as develop a style that is reflective of your personal taste. We then use this knowledge, combined with our expertise and imagination, to create a design that is unique to your space. You are then presented with the options and we arrive at a final design together. You approve the final design and sign off on all selections made for the final project.
When can I have a copy of the designs?
A
set of project plans and drawings will be available to you
after the design has been finalized and the project has been
confirmed with a deposit and a contract towards the
cabinetry purchase. Prior to finalizing the design and
contract you may come in to view the project drawings in our
showroom. Should your architect or interior designer need
drawings before the contract has been finalized we can
provide preliminary drawings
for a fee based on your project
cost.
How far in
advance should we plan on contacting you to plan our
project? The earlier the better. For new home construction, as soon as the house plans are being developed would be optimal. It will depend on the size and complexity of the project. If we can prevent windows and doors from being relocated after framing, it will save you valuable time and money.
We
have our own team of installers on staff who can accomplish
many phases of your renovation or new construction project.
They can do as little as installing the cabinetry. If you
or your builder/architect/interior designer have someone for
installation, we can have the cabinetry delivered directly
to your site. Please talk with us ahead of time to make
sure that your installer is familiar with the particular
installation of our cabinetry lines.
What do you or should I do with my old cabinets? We can arrange for your donation of the cabinets to any number of organizations or they can be reused in a basement, garage or friend/relative's home. Otherwise, we will dispose of them appropriately as called for in your contract.
How can you guarantee that I will be pleased with the
final product? We have never had a client be dissatisfied with their new space. Preparation and preplanning are instrumental in the successful outcome of your project. We will take our passion for design to create a unique environment fitting your lifestyle, using products of the highest quality for your budget. There will undoubtedly be changes along the way but you should be assured that the products we specify for your project are the same products we use for our own homes as well as our friends and family. Why are the plans for my kitchen copyrighted? There are two reasons your plans are copyrighted. First, each kitchen or custom cabinetry project we work on is unique and will not be duplicated in the future. This guarantees that your project is a one-of-a-kind original. Second, because the plans are the technical engineering directions on how the project should be carried out, it is important that LKS be involved in implementing the plan. Copyrighted plans cannot be legally used by another firm to execute your project.
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