Erica Kay is Kansas City’s premier kitchen designer.

I’m Erica, the proud owner of Erica, of Erica Kay Remodeling + Design, which has delivered award-winning interior designs in Kansas City for over 10 years. I specialize in whole-house remodels, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. I am a passionate designer who loves to customize each space to make it feel like my client’s dream. I have the knowledge, expertise, and industry connections to see projects through from start to finish with thorough attention to detail. I am unique in that I am able to streamline communication between contractor and owner, delivering a consistent vision from start to finish.

You’re about to embark on a home remodeling project. How do you feel? Excited? Eager? Overwhelmed? Indecisive? Stressed? All of the above? It can certainly be an emotional roller coaster! I’ll take every step possible to deliver a smooth, streamlined, positive experience.

Here’s my 7-step process:

• Step 1, Initial contact, zoom consultation and free in-home measurement visit

• Step 2, Design services bid

• Step 3, Design Phase: Custom drawings and cosmetic estimate

• Step 4, Selecting your general contractor

• Step 5, Selections Phase A: Selecting custom cabinet details

• Step 6, Selections Phase B: Showroom visits, bidding, and ordering

• Step 7, Construction phase: Construction drawings and owners’ representative

From down payment through construction, my 7-step process typically takes between 6-12 months to complete, depending on your project’s size.

Watch my video below to learn more about what it’s like to work with me.

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My step-by-step process

Step 1, initial contact, zoom consultation, and Free in-home measurement visit

Congratulations, you found me. Hopefully, you're enjoying the projects shown on this site. If you’re interested in working with me, please fill out the form (above) and we’ll be in touch — we’ll typically respond within two business days. Following that initial contact, if your project looks like a good fit for us, we’ll ask you to fill out a more in-depth questionnaire and send us some photos of your current space(s). Then, we’ll schedule a zoom call where we can meet each other and discuss your project in further detail. Lastly, we’ll schedule a time to come out to your home, see the entire scope of your project and take detailed measurements. Following that, I’ll provide you with a reasonable timeframe in which we’ll begin your design phase.

Step 2, Design services bid

Based on your project’s scope, we’ll provide you with a detailed bid.

Step 3, Design Phase: Custom Drawings and Cosmetic Estimate Delivered

Ready to see your ideas come to life? I’ll create your custom AutoCAD drawings which we’ll take time to review, revise and improve. My drawings are general contractor, architect, engineer and cabinet-craftsman friendly. The cosmetic estimates are your new custom drawings multiplied by average material costs, which will be your first budget estimate. I’ll also make a formal introduction to our appliance specialist (if applicable) at NFM so that you can begin deciding on your new appliances. Lead times on appliances can be lengthy so it’s best to order these early in the process.

Deliverables:

• Custom AutoCAD drawings, completed prior to the cosmetic estimate step

• Cosmetic estimates include; 2-3 custom cabinet quotes, countertop, tile, and accessories (plumbing fixtures, overhead lighting, and decorative hardware.)

• NFM Appliance specialist introduction (if applicable)

Payment two: starting at $2,000 and due upon delivery of cosmetic estimate. The first $500 is required prior to beginning your design phase.
Execution Timeline: 4-6 Weeks from the beginning of your design phase

Step 4, Selecting your general contractor

Now that we’ve agreed on a stellar design concept and reviewed your cosmetic estimate, we’ll schedule your contractor walk-through. I have worked with many preferred contractors in the past that I trust and I’ll introduce you to them and show them your project details. I highlight recommend using one of my preferred contractors due to our deep working relationship to ensure a fantastic outcome.

Deliverables:

• Preferred contractor in-home walk-through

• Official contractor bid based on your custom design

• Architect and engineer walk-through (if necessary)

Step 5, Selections Phase A: Selecting custom Cabinet Details

At this point, you’ve received multiple bids from several custom cabinet craftsmen as part of the cosmetic estimate in the design phase. So, based on your style and budget, we’ll narrow down your top craftsman and schedule a meeting to discuss the details. Prior to the meeting, we’ll send you our custom cabinet guide that will take you through the various door and build styles of cabinets, as well as the variety of finish options you can choose from.

Deliverables:

• Custom cabinet selection guide

• Meeting with your selected custom cabinet craftsman (typically in your home)

• Official cabinet bid based on latest design revisions

• Ordering of cabinets

Step 6, Selections Phase B: Showroom visits, bidding and ordering

By this time, you’ll have a very clear idea of what your entire project budget will be, which is why we save the showroom visits for last. These showroom visits will be to select; countertops, tile, and decorative hardware. These items are like the jewelry of your space, so it’s best to add them last with the remaining budget you feel comfortable spending.

Plumbing fixtures and lighting are necessary features to select in your space and I find the best options are to view them virtually. I’ll be sending you images for you to choose from.

From this point on, we’ll bid and begin ordering your selections to arrive prior to your construction phase.

Deliverables:

• Custom tile selection guide

• Accompanied showroom visits

• Countertop and tile samples (optional)

• Virtual plumbing fixtures and lighting selections

• Bids for the countertop, tile, decorative hardware, plumbing fixtures, and overhead lighting

• Ordering of countertops, tile, decorative hardware, plumbing fixtures, and overhead lighting

• Selection master list spreadsheet with the completeness of selection details

Payment three: starting at $3,000 split between two 50% payments
The first payment is due following selection phase B, and the second is due following selection phase C.
Execution Timeline: 3-4 months from the completion of your design phase

Step 7, Construction phase: Construction Drawings and Owners Representative

By this time, we’ve come a long way and have worked together for months. It’s important to have me involved with the contractor, cabinet maker, and anyone else who’s involved in your project to ensure your best interests are carried out. This begins with updated and detailed construction drawings for the construction team and also as your representative. As your representative, I will handle the critical design details during the construction process, improving efficiency and communication throughout the final phase to ensure the best execution possible.

Deliverables:

• Detailed AutoCAD construction drawings for the GC and sub-contractors.

• Availability via email, phone, and text between client contractor and sub-contractors as needed.

• Available for on-site review meetings such as cabinet layout rough-in, electrical rough-in, countertop template, and decorative hardware installation.

Payment four: starting at $500, due at the completion of the construction phase.
Execution Timeline: Upon the completion of the construction phase.

Summary

• In-home measurement visit, Free

• Design Phase, starting at $2,000

• Selection Phase, starting at $3,000

• Construction Phase, starting at $500

The total Erica Kay Design package starts at $5,500. From down payment through construction, my 7-step process typically takes between 6-9 months to complete, depending on your project’s size.

Price will increase incrementally with additional size and scope.