Frequently Asked Bath and Kitchen Renovation Questions

From the importance of licensed kitchen contractors to the ins-and-outs of European kitchen cabinets, here are the answers to your most pressing bath and kitchen renovation questions.

About Binns Kitchen + Bath Design

What cabinetry lines does “Binns” carry? Are they custom made?

Binns offers three lines of European kitchen cabinets from Miralis, SieMatic and Artcraft. All of our European kitchen cabinets are made to fit your space and fulfill any special requirements you might have. Miralis, SieMatic and Artcraft are some of the most respected makers of European kitchen cabinets in the world, and you can learn more about them and some of our other trusted suppliers on our Partners page.

How long has Binns Kitchen + Bath Design been in business?

Our firm is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the Greater Toronto Area and beyond for over 58 years!

How far will Binns travel to design a kitchen or bathroom?

We have designed and installed kitchens and bathrooms all across Canada, from Halifax to Winnipeg, and as far North as Wawa, Ontario.

Where are your kitchen showrooms located?

We have two conveniently-located kitchen showrooms in the GTA. Our 5000sq/ft kitchen showroom in Toronto is located on Bay Street, just south of Bloor. Our original, 6500sq/ft kitchen showroom is located in Pickering, ten minutes East of the Don Valley Parkway and the 401. To learn more about our kitchen showrooms, click here.

Before beginning your kitchen or bathroom project

What is the first step when thinking about designing a kitchen or bathroom?

Start a project file by compiling magazine articles and pictures, as well as notes on your wants and desires. Once you have some idea of what you want your custom kitchen or bath to look like, visit one of our kitchen showrooms to view our kitchen and bath displays and meet one of our award-winning designers. You will come away with some wonderfully unique design ideas!

How do we find out what our design or project will cost?

At Binns, our custom kitchen ethos (link to kitchen design) means that every aspect of your kitchen renovation will be tailored to your wants and needs, including the price. We carry lines varying from medium to high-end and can often provide you with similar alternatives to products outside of your price range. However, the ultimate price of your kitchen renovation can vary from as low as $28,000 to $120,000 or higher.

How much of the project does Binns do?

Most of our clients use our full design and contracting service, entrusting the full realization of their custom kitchen to our kitchen contractors and project manager. However, if you wish to only use our design eye and complete the installation separately, that’s completely alright. Some clients will have us design and supply the cabinets, then they do the installation themselves or with their own kitchen contractors.

Does it pay to use professional trades people?

Using the correct, licensed trade person for the right job will pay back dividends in the long run, without risking your investment just for the sake of cheaper labour. Professional trades people assist in intelligent planning, and complete their work to a high standard with a guarantee on your satisfaction.

Does a kitchen or bathroom remodel increase the value of our home?

There is no question: A kitchen or bathroom remodel will increase the value of your home. It has been proven over and over again, in study after study.

Industry certification

What is a CKD or a CBD?

A CKD is a “Certified Kitchen Designer” and a CBD is a “Certified Bath Designer.” CKD and CBD certification is an individual professional certification administered by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Certification of an individual as a CKD or CBD indicates that a person has established their competence in the planning and execution of residential kitchen and bathroom design.

What are the requirements for a designer to become a CKD or a CBD?

Requirements for CKD or CBD certification include seven years’ experience and/or education with a minimum of two years full-time specialty experience, and a submission of affidavits of professional competence from industry professionals and consumer reference. These individuals must then pass a rigorous, full day examination that tests their knowledge of not only kitchen and bathrooms, but all related construction knowledge.

What can a CKD or CBD do for me?

A CKD or CBD will help explore a world of possibilities for your home. They will listen to your ideas and concerns, offer design concepts, and help you make product selections that are right for your home and budget.

Does using a CKD or CBD save time, money and problems?

A well-designed and constructed kitchen or bathroom remodel, handled by a certified designer, can lead to a greater return on the investment for your home.

Designing your new kitchen or bathroom

Who will design our kitchen or bathroom?

At Binns, our Design Team is one of our greatest assets. We have award-winning, trained professionals with many years of experience creating gorgeous custom kitchens for our cherished clients.

Do you charge for a designer to come and look at our project?

Your initial design consultation with a kitchen designer, as well as preliminary design concepts and budgeting, are free. However, if you, proceed with detailed drawing and pricing, we will ask for a design retainer. The design retainer acts as a deposit that will be paid back to you when you order a kitchen or bathroom from us, but will be kept to cover the cost of design labour if you ultimately decide not to order one of our designs.

How much is the design retainer?

A design retainer will vary depending on the scope of the work required to proceed from design concepts to finished plans.

Who does the coordination of all the different trades?

When you decide to use our full contracting service, our Project Manager will look after all aspects of the project that Binns is contracted for. They will coordinate our kitchen contractors, place orders, manage shipments and administer timelines. You can learn about our entire Design Process here.

What do I do if I have more questions?

Visit a Binns showroom and an award-winning bath and/or kitchen designer will be happy to answer any further questions you might have. You can also call us at 1-877-509-5555, visit our contact page, or send us an email at info@binns.net.

For more detailed answers to your most pressing custom kitchen questions, contact us today or book a free design consultation online.

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