01 · 05 Mistake

"Custom-built" is rarely actually custom-built.

Split-screen comparison: on the left an industrial-module kitchen with visible filler panels at wall and ceiling, on the right a custom-built architect's kitchen with millimetre-accurate junctions.

Myth: A premium kitchen from a studio is a custom build. Truth: Industrial modules come in 60-cm steps. The rest is filler panels of up to 25 cm.

I'll spare you the arrows pointing to ceiling and wall — you can see the gaps yourself.

02 · 05

The mark-up on appliances is invisible — until you know what to look for.

Symbolic depiction: the same premium induction hob shown twice side by side, with two differently sized floating price tags hinting at the hidden mark-up.

Myth: Appliances at a kitchen studio cost roughly what they cost. Truth: Mark-ups of 40 to 100 % are industry-standard — priced into the package, without you seeing it.

Both tags blank. You still pay the difference.

03 · 05

The final figure rarely sits in the agreement.

Split-screen comparison in an architect's office: on the left a bursting file binder with loose A4 sheets and post-its on a wall shelf, on the right a slim grey hardcover dossier with a fountain pen.

Myth: The price in the offer is the price. Truth: Vague phrasings let the final invoice grow on average by 5,400 to 15,000 €.

What ends up on the invoice should already be there before you sign.

04 · 05

"Today only −15 %" is not an argument.

Split-screen comparison: on the left a single offer with a red discount sticker and ballpoint pen next to a pressing desk clock, on the right three offers calmly fanned out side by side with a fountain pen and an espresso cup.

Myth: Hesitate and you lose the discount. Truth: A time-limited reduction is usually only a reduction if you don't compare.

For an investment lasting twenty years, you may take the weekend.

05 · 05

In ten years your front no longer exists — unless someone has the plans.

Split-screen comparison at a dismantled cabinet from the same architect's kitchen: on the left a replacement front with deviating wood grain and colour, on the right a perfectly identical replacement front about to be fitted.

Myth: A small bit of damage can be swapped out later. Truth: Without CAD plans a discontinued front is a 3,000 € repair instead of a 200 € replacement.

"Made like that back then" becomes a problem in ten years — unless someone kept the plans.

Your next step

So your kitchen makes none of these five mistakes — let's plan it differently from the very first stroke.

Architect's planning work worth 5,000 € — included in the order price on acceptance
Fixed price on every line item — no surprise additions
Appliances at purchase price, transparently shown
Own production, no subcontractors
CAD archive kept for the full life of the kitchen

"Everything could be fitted exactly. No filler panels needed."

Jacqueline W. · Google review (translated)

Book the consultation

60 minutes · by video · non-binding

Rusi Kolev · Architect (AKH) · Real-Estate Economist (ebs)

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