How Good is the IKEA Kitchen Planning Service? (2023 Update)

Complete Information to IKEA’s Up to date Kitchen Planning Companies

2023 Replace:We first wrote about IKEA’s planning service again in 2016. That was earlier than COVID, earlier than video chat turned the norm, and earlier than IKEA purchased out Traemand. In brief, loads has modified, and we needed to replace this put up to replicate the methods through which IKEA’s companies have modified.

2016:Immediately’s visitor put up is by Ray S.

IKEA provides a $199 in-person kitchen planning service. An IKEA kitchen planning skilled visits your house, takes measurements, and spends 4 hours sitting with you to plan the kitchen you’ll use for the subsequent 20 years.

Is it higher than working with Impressed Kitchen Design on-line?

Our secret shopper, Ray, employed them to search out out… and boy, did we study loads.

Earlier than you rent IKEA to plan your kitchen, you have to learn this weblog put up.

2023 Replace:IKEA not expenses for his or her kitchen planning service, however you gained’t be getting the identical in-home, customized service. As a substitute, you get a 90-minute appointment both in-store or on-line with an IKEA planning specialist. (Be aware: An IKEA planning specialist just isn’t an expert kitchen designer.)

You’re anticipated to have your measurements prepared, however for a $49 price you’ll be able to rent a technician to carry out the duty for you.

IKEA vs. Impressed Kitchen Design Companies

2016:There are three the explanation why somebody would possibly select IKEA’s service over IKD’s.

One-stop-shopping: IKEA handles the entire thing, soup to nuts. They measure and plan your IKEA kitchen in particular person and then you definately purchase the kitchen from IKEA.
The $199 price ticket: IKEA expenses much less for his or her service than the IKD design price.
Any errors are IKEA’s duty: If IKEA’s service makes an error as a result of incorrect measurements, they have to pay to repair the error.

Sounds fairly good on paper, doesn’t it?

2023 Replace:IKEA was one-stop procuring. Somebody would come to your house, measure, plan, order, and schedule set up. Now, clients are left dealing with a lot of the kitchen transforming course of on their very own.

Throughout the planning appointment, you primarily get one-on-one assist utilizing the IKEA on-line residence planner. IKEA workers put the kitchen plan into your account so you’ve entry to the photographs and should buy the gadgets in your procuring bag. Measuring prices additional, and the set up service is at the moment on maintain.

Free continues to be lower than IKD’s design service. However what do you get to your cash? IKEA’s kitchen planning specialists can’t name themselves kitchen designers as a result of they don’t possess that certification. They know learn how to put a kitchen collectively utilizing IKEA merchandise within the IKEA planner. That’s it.

IKD isn’t certain to IKEA-only provides. Many purchasers come to us as a result of they’re in search of extra from their inner group and cupboard fronts, which is why we are able to provide inner design packages and designs with customized fronts by firms like Semihandmade.

That was the case with our buyer, Ben. You possibly can learn his Houzz assessment of IKD’s modern design course of right here.

We provide step-by-step measuring directions, present an expert design bundle with 3-D renderings (and, sure, we additionally add it to the house planner to make buy simple), and we provide our clients entry to Set up Join, a database of vetted IKEA installers.

(To study extra about how IKEA’s on-line plans examine to IKD’s design bundle, click on right here.)

Once more, the measurement service is not included in IKEA’s kitchen planning appointment – however we nonetheless offer you peace of thoughts.

IKD provides two design revisions freed from cost, and we provide step-by-step measurement directions. If one thing goes unsuitable, you’re coated by our pre-design measurement assure. If a measurement error leads to extra labor and materials prices to repair, we’ll pay for it.

2016:I realized 5 issues once I purchased IKEA’s service which can be necessary for IKD clients to know.

Navigating IKEA’s Kitchen Planning Service Promotions

My “native” IKEA is an hour away. I like visiting IKEA, however that’s about 100 miles roundtrip. I make that journey possibly a few occasions a 12 months for a brand new bookcase or one thing.

Nonetheless, making the drive is healthier than ready on the telephone with IKEA.

I drove to IKEA a few week earlier than the sale was introduced. Though I talked to the gross sales man for some time, he by no means talked about something in regards to the IKEA kitchen sale (which was only some days away).

The sale provides a 15 p.c refund on kitchens that price greater than $4,000 and would have been good to know.

2023 Replace:In response to one IKEA consultant, most associates aren’t informed in regards to the IKEA gross sales greater than every week upfront and are instructed to maintain it underneath wraps. That manner, if any stock adjustments they usually should amend the sale it doesn’t require fielding a bunch of upset clients. So, except you’re very charming, you continue to shouldn’t anticipate a heads up on the subject of IKEA gross sales (regardless of how a lot you propose to spend on a brand new kitchen).

Nevertheless, as of late, a real IKEA Kitchen Sale is uncommon. You’re extra more likely to discover a sale that simply options sure cupboard fronts, counter tops, or equipment.

The 4-Hour IKEA House Planning Service Expertise

2016:The IKEA workers particular person stated the four-hour appointment can be spent like this:

Two hours to measure my kitchen
Two hours to plan my kitchen

My fiancée and I’ve a big kitchen, so two hours of measuring time sounded good. However solely two hours for planning? I knew we’d have plenty of questions and concepts to bounce round. I had thought 4 hours can be sufficient time, however now I wasn’t so certain.

Would 4 hours be sufficient time to design the kitchen we deliberate to make use of for the subsequent 20 years?

2023 Replace:When requested what would occur if somebody wanted greater than 90 minutes to design their dream kitchen, the IKEA affiliate truly laughed – good-naturedly, in fact. So, no, the design appointments are literally shorter in 2023, however you’ll be able to at all times make one other free appointment you probably have extra questions and concepts.

A part of the rationale the affiliate discovered the preliminary query humorous is due to the next level: You’re anticipated to do loads of homework earlier than the appointment.

Understanding the Effective Print and Homework for IKEA’s Service

2016:IKEA is fairly clear on what it would and gained’t do to your kitchen design. They don’t offer you a kitchen design like IKD will; they provide you a “kitchen cupboard format.” There’s a very massive distinction between these two issues.

I used to be additionally shocked at how a lot written homework I needed to do. A number of the questionnaire gadgets had been matters I needed to go over with the planning man’s assist, not work out by myself.

2023 Replace:Whereas the laborious copy not often makes an look, the pre-appointment guidelines nonetheless applies. You need to know all the things about your kitchen, from measurements and electrical places to the kind of door fronts and {hardware} you need earlier than displaying up to your IKEA planning appointment.

IKP = IKEA Kitchen Planning Service

IKD additionally has a pre-design kind, however we’re joyful to reply questions and work via it with you with out the stress of a time restrict.

Pricing Construction of IKEA’s Planning Service

2016:The IKEA workers particular person then requested for my deal with and knowledgeable me the cost can be $249. I assumed it was $199?

The gross sales man defined that the service begins at $199. As a result of I lived farther away, it was $249.

In fact, in IKEA’s eyes, that doesn’t actually matter. Proper now, they’re providing the deal that for those who purchase that service after which purchase your kitchen earlier than August 1, 2016, they are going to refund you the price of the service – even when it prices greater than $199.

I realized throughout my appointment that IKEA makes these worth determinations based mostly on zones. However the man who got here to my home truly lived shut by. So why did it price extra?

2023 Replace:IKEA has a number of appointment choices now, and for those who put them collectively you get nearly the identical service you’ll with IKD. You can begin with a 30-minute plan session appointment and schedule a 90-minute planning appointment from there. It’s also possible to schedule a 30-minute plan verification session the place you assessment revisions or double verify a plan you’ve put collectively your self on the house planner (a service we provide at a reduction). These companies are free via IKEA.

IKEA even provides a brand new inside design service for $99/room. This consists of three digital appointments with an expert designer.

IKD’s course of is all-inclusive and at all times has the identical staff. As one Houzz reviewer particulars, IKD’s founder, Mike, answered their preliminary questions; design coordinator Florence onboarded the shopper and dealt with questions and issues all through the method; {and professional} kitchen designer Javier created their new, lovely kitchen design.

It’s necessary to notice that IKD’s designs are at all times dealt with by licensed design professionals. IKEA’s inside design service does use skilled designers, however the different companies are supplied by educated IKEA workers who know IKEA however don’t essentially perceive all of the design pitfalls IKD offers with day by day.

There’s additionally the truth that these appointments require realizing what you need from IKEA (and solely IKEA) and coping with a number of completely different planners and designers all through the method. You understand how annoying it’s once you go to the physician, and it’s important to clarify why you’re there to the receptionist, the nurse, after which the physician? If there’s a follow-up appointment concerned, you’ll in all probability have to elucidate all of it once more.

IKEA’s system is like that, however for inside design.

With IKD, our design coordinator and one assigned skilled designer/IKEA knowledgeable handles your design from begin to end. You should use the distributors you wish to customise your kitchen, and there’s no nickel-and-diming.

If You Don’t Have Wi-Fi, Your Kitchen Planning Will Be Accomplished With out You

2016:The gross sales man requested if I’d have Wi-Fi out there for the house planning coworker to make use of. I stated sure, however what would occur if I didn’t?

Mainly, the IKEA planner would come and take measurements, then take notes on what I needed – however he’d need to ship me my design. The one manner for IKEA to design my kitchen was via the IKEA House Planner app.

I questioned if different clients had been okay with settling for that. I arrange my appointment for every week later.

Prime 5 Classes From IKEA’s In-Particular person House Planning Service

It certain appeared suspicious that no person talked about the sale. I imply, doesn’t the sale make individuals wish to purchase?

If two of the 4 planning hours are spent on measurements, how a lot design assist are you actually getting?

For those who don’t do your homework, you’re simply consuming into these 4 hours much more – and there’s a lot of homework.

I wasn’t precisely thrilled that it price me an additional $50 for the service as a result of I reside an hour away, although IKEA’s service particular person was shut by.

The Wi-Fi factor is necessary. Even you probably have Wi-Fi, like I do, what if it’s not working that day? I’d really feel ripped off if I couldn’t even sit subsequent to somebody whereas they designed my kitchen.

How Was IKEA’s Planning Service?

Up to now, I haven’t been impressed. The man I talked to was very hands-off and he didn’t precisely encourage confidence. Subsequent week, I’ll write about how the service truly went.