Kitchen remodel-should I get a separate designer?

[sju]

I could use advice from those who have remodeled before. We are just starting this process.

The remodel we are envisioning would include structural changes (opening wall, moving two windows, at least one door, etc). The laundry/mudroom is next to the kitchen and we plan to redo that room at the same time. Our master bathroom is right above the kitchen and needs remodeling too but that will have to wait. We want to make sure we have a good plan that makes sense and flows well.

I looked at the list of local architects and they seem to do really big work..commercial, university buildings, etc. There is the option to go to a designer. Yesterday we met several licensed contractors at their model homes (there is a local expo going on this weekend) and of course they have people who can do the design. One husband and wife team told us they can do the design and if there is major work involved they have architects they work with. Their craftsman style house was gorgeous.

So, where do I start?

Thanks!

[FoxInFiji]

Sounds like you should get an architect. Planning wisely for the future master bathroom now could save you a lot of time, hassle, and expense later. Architects have to be licensed and are more familiar with all of the electrical, plumbing, structural, and HVAC codes. Hopefully though they have some engineers on their team to design those portions or they should hire that out. Architects alone are not licensed to draw that out for you and get it approved by the state or local authority having jurisdiction.

A designer on the other hand. Well they don't legally have to know anything related to the code or construction.

[heliocentric]

We are redoing our kitchen (ripping down to the studs) as well as expanding a small bath and adding a mudroom, so we hired an architect. However, for the kitchen he's doing the structural, electrical, plumbing, etc. but he's not really doing the layout. We will work directly with the kitchen designer for that because he seems to have a better idea of how to utilize the space in the most efficient way. It's a slightly different skill set than the architect, but just as valuable.

To give you an idea, the architect did a few quick drawings of possible layouts. Most had almost no counter space or cabinets and one had the dishwasher a few feet from the sink. These plans worked structurally and looked good, but would not be practical.

[sju]

Thank you all for your responses. I will definitely be spending time here as we go through this process. Hopefully we will not stall. It has happened before with the planning of other projects.