A 30-minute kitchen design call is the first step in Higham Furniture’s process, and it is very different from what most people expect when they first contact a kitchen company. There is no showroom to visit, no salesperson to meet, and no agenda to move you quickly toward a purchasing decision.
This guide explains what the call involves, what to expect, and how to prepare so you get the most from the conversation.
Who You Speak To
The design call at Higham Furniture is with a senior designer, not a sales consultant. The person you speak to is involved in the design of kitchens, not in the sale of them. This is a deliberate choice that reflects how Tim Higham believes the process should work: the first conversation should be a design conversation, not a commercial one.
The designer will ask about your space, your brief, and your priorities. They will give you direct feedback about what is achievable, flag any constraints worth knowing about early in the process, and give you an honest sense of whether Higham is the right fit for your project. If it is not, they will say so.
What the Call Covers
A typical design call covers several areas. The first is your space: the room’s dimensions, the direction it faces, what is not working about the current kitchen, and any architectural features that will affect the design.
The second is your brief: what matters most to you in the new kitchen. More storage? A better layout? A style that works with the character of your home? An island for seating? The designer’s role is to understand your priorities, not to sell you a product range.
The third is style and character: whether you have a sense of the direction you are drawn toward, whether you have images that illustrate it, and what kind of finish and palette might work in your specific room.
The fourth, when relevant, is budget: whether your investment is broadly in line with the kind of project Higham takes on and what is achievable within it.
What the Call Is Not
The design call is not a sales presentation. There are no product specifications to sit through, no price lists to review, and no closing questions to navigate. It is a conversation to establish whether there is a design problem that Higham can solve and whether the process makes sense to pursue.
It is also not a commitment. Nothing is required of you beyond the 30 minutes of your time. If you decide after the call that you would like to explore further, the next step is a measured survey. If you decide it is not the right fit, there is no obligation.
How to Prepare
The most useful preparation is a clear sense of what is not working about the current kitchen and what you most want the new one to achieve. Any images you find appealing are helpful. Approximate room dimensions, if you have them, are useful but not essential. The designer can work with approximate information in a first call and get precise measurements at the survey stage.
For a broader overview of how the full design process develops from this first call, see our article on what happens during a kitchen design consultation.
Booking Your Design Call
The call is free. There is no obligation. It is 30 minutes with a senior Higham designer to explore whether there is a project worth pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a kitchen design call?
The design call exists to establish whether Higham Furniture is the right fit for your project and to begin the design conversation. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the process, the product, and the company, and for the designer to understand your space and brief well enough to advise you on the next steps.
Do I need to have a budget confirmed before the design call?
A broad budget range is helpful but not essential. If you have a sense of your investment level, the designer can give you honest guidance about what is achievable. If you are not sure, the call is a good opportunity to discuss what projects at different budget levels look like.
How long does the design call take?
Approximately 30 minutes. Some calls run slightly longer if the brief is complex or if there are many questions to address. The call takes as long as is useful for the conversation.
What happens after the design call?
If both parties want to proceed, the next step is a measured survey of your kitchen space, followed by 2D and 3D design development and client review. The design call is the beginning of the process, not a separate stage before it.
Is the design call really free?
Yes. There is no charge for the design call and no commitment required. Higham Furniture’s view is that the right way to begin a relationship with a client is with a direct conversation about whether we can help, not with a financial commitment.
Written by the Higham Furniture design team. Higham Furniture is an award-winning cabinetmaker based in Denmead, Hampshire, with a design studio in Fulham, London. Tim Higham and his team have been designing and building bespoke handmade kitchens for discerning homeowners across London and the South East.
