I can have a look at your kitchen and give you a detailed list of any problems I see or at least advise you on what is acceptable and what is not.

Don’t know where to start or what to do first, need an idea for your kitchen design; again I’m sure I can help you. I can also advise you on the trades’ people that you will need and give you an idea of what costs you should allow for them.

I started my work career back in Ireland as a cabinet maker where you had to actually make the kitchens on site with 2x1 solid timber and raw chipboard which had to be laminated on site, use butt hinges on the doors and make the drawers out of 6x1 solid timber, no drawer runners then and almost everything had to be nailed together as there was no electric or cordless screwdrivers then.

This seems like centuries ago but this was only in 1970 just 39 years ago and how things have changed from then. But mainly in the manufacturing process and the types of finishes, no polyurethane then, few if any kitchens had granite or marble bench tops although some had tables with marble tops or on small sections of the bench tops.

Most of the kitchens were solid timber or laminate with a continuous handle along the top which has come back into fashion again.

Believe it or not the designs have not changed that much, even now with these big words like ergonomics and the work triangle, common sense prevails and the kitchen can be made to suit any type of person just like back then.

The main differences now are high tech. appliances and drawer systems and hinges with lifetime guarantees and more people now require a range hood or extractor. Putting cabinets together is probably the easiest part, there is the design and the sale, the check measure, the cutting list, the organizing of the trades, plumber, electrician, installer, tiler, carpenter, gyprocker or drywall plaster, renderer and organize the delivery and the liaising with the customer.

Over the years I have been some of these and worked with all of them and I’m probably more known for my organizing or supervision skills.What I’ve learned through my 39 years in kitchens is not entirely related to kitchens but building and renovations, oh I forgot to mention I’ve been involved in bathroom renovations a well.  I hold a restricted builder’s license.

When I worked for a large kitchen company I’ve seen some terrible designs and we were not allowed to criticize the design or designer or sales person just make sure what was sold got fitted which I still regret, as you could see no thought went into some of the designs only make the sale and get on to the next one.

My main aim in life now is to perfect the designing and selling end of the kitchen market as through the years I’ve seen this as the weakest part of the kitchen process.  I think a lot of salespeople are giving the kitchen industrie a bad image. Not trained properly in design only in making the sale, been told they must sell on the night, forcing the sale as most are on commission only and no sale no pay.

I’ve seen a case where over 50 kitchens were sold in a week but less than half actually proceeded with people looking for their deposits back as they were not happy with the process and not giving enough time to think about what they have bought. Please remember in most countries you have a cooling of period after you sign the contract of between 5 to 7 days to cancel your contract and get all of your money back but this only applies if you signed the contract in your own home not in their showroom.

 It is called the door to door sales act and you have to be made aware of it by the salesperson. They are supposed to give you the form with all their details on it and if you want to cancel you must fill it in and get it back to the company in the time frame.  If you are posting it back make sure you sent it registered post so they can’t say they did not receive it.

If a salesperson comes to your home and sells you a kitchen and does not mention this form make sure you ask them as it is a legal requirement, remember you can cancel your order and you do not have to give a reason so don’t get into a conversion if you don’t want to.

Later I will show you a sample of what the form should look like.

It still amazes me how you can properly design a kitchen on the first call in only a couple of hours.

I have been in the kitchen business for nearly 40 years and will not completely design a kitchen on my first visit as I like to take the rough sketch (this is called a mud map) back to the office and play around with it and give the customer different options if possible.

Then I can price it properly as this can take a lot of time, and not annoy the customer by taking up their time in their home trying to come up with a design and trying to price the kitchen and possibly the trades also, this way I am not under any pressure and I can take the time to double check every thing.

I’ve never had a problem with a customer waiting a day for a price and I’m proud to say I’ve never had a customer cancel a contract as I’ve never forced a sale, who would want to work for someone if they weren’t happy with you. I would rather change the plans a dozen times than have to change anything on the finished kitchen.

I actually give a 20 year guarantee with any kitchen I do with a lifetime warranty on the drawers and runners. I will only use the best materials and trades people as I don’t want any call backs, I have discovered that it is far cheaper to do the job properly the first time, you don’t make any money or repeat customers by having to go back on jobs...

Yes I still do kitchens but only about 50 to 70 a year as I like to give my personal attention to each customer and make sure their happy with every thing I do. I like to treat my clients as partners rather than just a customer, we actually design the kitchen together and I’m the one who brings it all together.

I now mainly consult with people about the problems they may be having with their kitchen company and try to resolve their problems before they go legal. Usually there is a simple solution when an independent person intervenes.

I also give advice before you order your kitchen, help with the design and look for any problems that might arise, advise on the trades needed and give an idea of what to expect to pay. No, I will not try to sell you a kitchen; I will only try to solve your problems before the start.

I have also written a book called “kitchen secrets really revealed” which is available as an e-book that covers every aspect of your kitchen from before you start and what to do first there is no question left unanswered. Go to www.KitchenSecretsReallyRevealed.com.

If you think I can help you in any way feel free to contact me by phone 1300659458 or email barry@kitchenconsultant.com.au  I mainly work in the Sydney area but will travel (at a price) if I think I can be of service.

My tip to you don’t sign anything unless you are 100% sure you are getting what you want.

You may be enticed with some sort of  a free offer on the night if you sign there and then but believe me they will still gladly accept your money in a weeks time.

You will note the free offer will only be introduced if you don’t show any interest. You would wonder why you can’t buy the next day, are they afraid you might find out something?  

Later in the year (august 2009) I will have my sales and design course available for people who would like to become a salesperson or designer which teaches the proper way to design and sell.

My motto is you should not have to sell if you offer a good product at a reasonable price however you must believe in your product  and show you are more interested in the customer than the sale, you will make many friends and be a welcome guest not an unwanted pest.

Even if you are already a salesperson I’m sure you will benefit from the course as it will improve your skills immensely and teach you the proper way to provide that kitchen.

Thanks for visiting this site and I hope I can be of service to you sometime.

Barry Malone 1300659458   mob. 0418291940

Below is the door to door form of the sales act that should be given to you in your home.