Homes & interiors
What to include in your kitchen brief
A few notes and photographs can help explain what you need from a new kitchen. Here is what to bring to the first conversation.
More worktop beside the hob, cupboards you can reach without moving everything, or a place to sit while someone cooks: tell us what you want the room to do differently. We supply kitchens direct from the manufacturer and fit them ourselves, so your brief needs to cover the room as well as the units.
Notice what you work around now
Think about the last time you cooked a meal. Was there enough worktop where you needed it? Did you have to move things to reach a cupboard? Was someone trying to get past you? Those small frustrations are often more useful than a broad wish for “more space”.
Write down your priorities before looking at individual units. More useful storage, easier access and a place to sit are different requirements; a good conversation starts by knowing which matters most to you.
Explain what you like in each photograph
Choose a small selection of photographs and note what you like in each. It might be the door style in one, the worktop in another or the way a dining area connects to the kitchen. This makes your preferences easier to discuss without treating any single photograph as a plan for your room.
Include a few photographs of your current kitchen as well. An overall view and the awkward corners can be particularly useful for the first enquiry.
Think beyond the cupboards
Tell the team which appliances you expect to keep, whether you want the layout to change and if the room needs other work. Preparation, decoration and the surrounding finishes should be discussed alongside the kitchen itself, not left as assumptions.
When you receive a quotation, check what is included in the supply and installation. Ask about anything you expected to see that is not listed.
What to send with your enquiry
- Your postcode and a short description of the room.
- The two or three changes that matter most.
- A few photographs of the current kitchen.
- Any intended timing and an outline budget, if you have one.
Heritage supplies kitchens direct from the manufacturer and carries out the installation. We talk through the layout, units and finishes with you, and discuss any room preparation or other trades at the start.
Questions before you start
Do I need a kitchen design before I contact you?
No. Tell us what you like about your current kitchen and what you want to change. We can discuss the possibilities with you. If you already have plans or inspiration images, those are useful too.
Can you help if the room needs more than new units?
Yes. We look at the preparation and any other trades your kitchen needs, then explain what we can include in the quotation. That lets you plan the room as a whole, rather than discover additional work once fitting starts.
How long will the installation take?
That depends on the size of the kitchen, the preparation needed and when the products are available. We will discuss the programme with you once those details are clear, including how the work will affect use of the room.
