Kitchen Estimate Guide: How to Measure and Photograph Your Kitchen
One of the first questions homeowners ask when planning a kitchen renovation is:
"How much is my kitchen going to cost?"
The answer depends on the size of your space, cabinetry selections, storage features, countertop materials, installation requirements, and countless other decisions.
At Gipman Kitchens & Cabinetry, we help homeowners understand the possibilities for their project through a personalized Kitchen Investment Analysis. Before we meet, we simply ask for a few photos and basic measurements of your space so we can prepare for a productive consultation.
Whether you're renovating your existing kitchen, building a new home, updating a bathroom vanity, or adding custom cabinetry elsewhere in your home, the information below will help us understand your project and prepare meaningful guidance for your appointment.
Step 1: Photograph Your Kitchen
The best place to start is with photos. Good photos allow us to understand your existing space, identify potential opportunities and challenges, and prepare for your consultation.
This quick guide shows exactly what photos we need and the most common mistakes to avoid.
What Photos Do We Need?
Please take a straight-on photo of each cabinet wall.
Think of each photo as an "elevation view" of the room. Stand directly in front of the cabinetry and photograph the entire wall from floor to ceiling whenever possible.
Please include:
Existing cabinets
Windows
Doors
Appliances
Pantry areas
Islands and peninsulas
Built-in cabinetry
Bulkheads or soffits
If a wall is too large to capture in one image, take multiple overlapping photos.
Photography Tips
✓ Stand as far back as possible
✓ Hold your phone level
✓ Capture the entire wall
✓ Ensure the room is well lit
✓ Include appliances, doors, and windows
The more information we can see, the better prepared we'll be for your consultation.
Step 2: Create a Simple Room Sketch
Don't worry about creating professional drawings.
This quick guide shows exactly what measurements we need and the most common mistakes to avoid.
A simple hand-drawn sketch is all we need at this stage.
Draw the outline of your room from a bird's-eye view and include:
Walls
Windows
Doors
Islands
Peninsulas
Pantry cabinets
Appliance locations
Label each wall with a letter (A, B, C, D, etc.) so measurements can be easily referenced.
Step 3: Record Basic Measurements
Approximate measurements are perfectly acceptable for your Kitchen Investment Analysis.
Overall Wall Lengths
Measure each wall from corner to corner and record the dimensions directly on your sketch.
Windows
For each window, please provide:
Window width
Window height
Distance from the nearest corner to the edge of the window
Doors
For each door, please provide:
Door width
Door height
Distance from the nearest corner to the edge of the door
Ceiling Height
Measure from the finished floor to the ceiling.
Please note any:
Bulkheads
Soffits
Beams
Sloped ceilings
Ceiling height changes
Step 4: Tell Us About Your Project
Along with your photos and measurements, we'd love to learn more about your goals.
Helpful information includes:
What you like about your current kitchen
What frustrates you about the existing layout
Inspiration photos you've collected
Preferred styles and finishes
Desired project timeline
Any special storage or accessibility needs
The more we understand your goals, the more meaningful your consultation will be.
Ready to Start Planning?
You've gathered the information we need. Complete the form below and our team will review your project before contacting you to schedule your Kitchen Investment Analysis consultation.
We'll use the information provided to better understand your space, discuss possible solutions, and prepare for a productive conversation about your project.
What Happens Next?
Once we receive your information, we'll contact you to schedule a consultation at our Cranbrook showroom.
During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to:
Explore our cabinetry collections
Compare materials and finishes
View organizational accessories and storage solutions
Learn about our manufacturing process
Tour our local production facility
Discuss your project goals and priorities
Review your personalized Kitchen Investment Analysis
Our goal is to help you understand the cabinetry solutions and investment levels available for your project before moving into detailed design work.
Ready to Move Forward?
Once you've reviewed your options and selected a direction that feels right for your project, we'll collect a Design Retainer and schedule a collaborative Design Consultation.
This is where the creative process begins.
Together, you'll work directly with one of our designers to develop a custom layout tailored to your home, lifestyle, and priorities. During this appointment, designs are refined collaboratively, allowing you to provide feedback and make decisions as the project takes shape.
This design process is focused on creating a kitchen that is both beautiful and functional while aligning with your goals, needs, and investment expectations.
Serving Cranbrook and the Kootenays Since 1988
For more than 35 years, Gipman Kitchens & Cabinetry has been designing and manufacturing custom cabinetry for homeowners throughout Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Invermere, Creston, Castlegar, Nelson, Trail, and surrounding communities.
Ready to start planning your project?
Submit your photos and measurements today and take the first step toward creating your dream kitchen.
