Dublin Kitchens
What Actually Happens at a Free Kitchen Design Consultation
A lot of people put off booking a kitchen consultation for the same reason they put off going to the dentist: they’re not sure what’s going to happen once they’re in the chair. Will someone try to sell you the most expensive worktop in the showroom? Do you need to already know exactly what you want? Is “free consultation” actually free?
We run these consultations every week at our Dublin showroom and over video call, and the honest answer is that it’s a lot less intense than people expect. No pressure, no obligation to buy, and you don’t need a Pinterest board full of ideas to get started. Here’s exactly what happens, step by step.
1. Booking the Consultation
You can book online, by phone, or by dropping into the Dublin showroom directly. Most consultations are booked for either an in-showroom appointment at our Baldoyle Industrial Estate location, or a video call if you’re outside Dublin or just find that easier to fit around work. Both take roughly 45–60 minutes.
We typically respond to booking requests within 24 hours, and you’ll get a confirmation with a rough idea of what to prepare — though honestly, showing up with nothing but a phone full of photos of your current kitchen is more than enough to get started.
Book a free kitchen design consultation
2. What to Bring (and What You Don’t Need)
Useful things to have, if you have them:
- Rough measurements of your kitchen space (doesn’t need to be exact — we’ll do a proper measure-up separately)
- Photos of your current kitchen, from a few angles
- A ballpark budget range, even a wide one (“somewhere between €10k and €20k” is genuinely useful)
- Any style preferences — a few saved photos, or even just “I don’t like gloss” is a helpful starting point
What you don’t need: a finished floor plan, brand names picked out, or a firm decision on every detail. Most people who come in have a vague sense of what they want and a much clearer sense of what they don’t want — and that’s a perfectly good starting point for a designer to work with.
3. What Happens During the Appointment
The consultation itself is mostly a conversation, not a sales pitch. A designer will talk through:
- How you actually use your kitchen day to day (this matters more than most people expect — a family that cooks together needs a different layout to a couple who mostly reheats takeaways)
- What’s not working about your current kitchen
- Your rough budget and what that typically covers, so expectations are realistic from the start
- Door styles, worktop materials, and finishes, usually with physical samples in hand so you’re not just looking at photos on a screen
4. The Measure-Up — In Person or DIY
If you’re further along and ready to move to a firm design, we’ll arrange a home visit to properly measure your kitchen — checking wall straightness, floor level, window and door positions, and the location of existing plumbing and electrics. This is different from the initial consultation and usually happens once you’ve had a chance to think things over, not on the same day.
5. From Conversation to Design
Based on the consultation, our designers put together a layout proposal — for straightforward jobs this might be a simple floor plan with cabinet positions marked; for larger renovations, we can produce a 3D rendering so you can see roughly how the finished kitchen will look, including your chosen door colour and worktop.
This isn’t usually instant — expect a few days to a week to get a proper design back, rather than something knocked together on the spot. A rushed design is usually a sign of a rushed process, and kitchens are expensive enough that it’s worth the extra few days.
6. The Quote — What It Covers
Once you’re happy with the design direction, you’ll get a written quote. A proper quote should clearly itemise:
| Item | What It Should Specify |
|---|---|
| Cabinets | Quantity, sizes, door style and finish |
| Worktop | Material, thickness, approximate linear metres |
| Installation | Whether fitting labour is included or quoted separately |
| Electrics/Plumbing | Whether it’s included, and by whom |
| Delivery & Lead Time | Realistic timeframe from order to delivery |
If a quote is just a single total figure with no breakdown, ask for the itemised version before you commit — it’s the only way to compare quotes fairly if you’re getting more than one.
See available kitchen ranges and starting prices →
7. Is There Any Pressure to Buy on the Day?
No — and if a kitchen company is pushing you to sign on the spot at your first consultation, that’s worth being wary of. A kitchen is one of the biggest single purchases most people make in their home, and a reasonable company expects you to take the quote away, think about it, maybe get a comparison, and come back with questions. We’d rather you come back in a month with confidence than sign something today you’re not sure about.
“The best consultations are the ones where the homeowner leaves with more clarity than they arrived with — not a signed contract.” — Kitchens4U design team
8. What Happens After the Consultation
After your consultation, you’ll typically receive a follow-up with your design notes and, if requested, a written quote. From there it’s entirely up to you — take your time, compare, come back with questions, or book the home measure-up when you’re ready to move forward. There’s no clock running.
FAQ
Is the kitchen design consultation really free?
Yes, there’s no charge and no obligation to purchase. It’s a chance to talk through your space, get design guidance and receive a rough quote before you commit to anything.
How long does a kitchen consultation take?
Most consultations take 45–60 minutes, whether in the Dublin showroom or over a video call.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before I book?
No. Most homeowners arrive with a general idea and a list of what isn’t working in their current kitchen — a designer can help shape that into a concrete plan.
Can I get a consultation if I live outside Dublin?
Yes, video consultations are available for homeowners outside the Dublin area, covering the same design discussion as an in-showroom appointment.
Do I need a budget figure before I book?
A rough range is genuinely useful, even a wide one, but it’s not required. Part of the consultation is helping you understand what different budgets typically achieve.
Will I get a 3D design of my kitchen?
For most renovation projects, yes — a 3D rendering is typically provided once the layout is agreed, so you can see the finished look before ordering.
How soon after the consultation will I get a quote?
Simple quotes can often be turned around within a few days; more detailed designs with 3D renderings may take up to a week.
Am I under any obligation to buy after the consultation?
No. You’re free to take the quote away, compare it with other companies, and come back whenever you’re ready — there’s no time pressure.
What should I bring to a kitchen consultation?
Rough measurements if you have them, a few photos of your current kitchen, and a general sense of style or budget — though none of these are essential to get started.
Can I visit the showroom without booking a consultation first?
You’re welcome to browse the Dublin showroom, though booking ahead means a designer will be free to walk you through samples and answer questions properly.
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Ready to Book Your Free Consultation?
If you’re thinking about a new kitchen, the easiest next step is a no-pressure conversation with one of our designers. Book your free kitchen design consultation online, or contact our Dublin showroom directly if you’d rather talk it through on the phone first.
You don’t need a finished plan to start — just a kitchen that isn’t quite working for you anymore, and half an hour to talk it through.
