If you've never worked with a custom cabinet designer before, it's natural to wonder what to bring, what questions to ask, and how to make sure you're getting this right.
A discovery meeting is where your project takes shape. It's where we learn how you actually use your kitchen, what's driving you crazy about your current setup, and what you're hoping this new space will do for your life. The more prepared you are, the more productive this conversation becomes—and the faster we can move from ideas to actual design.
Here's what to start considering, what to bring with you, and what we'll work through together.
The most valuable thing you can do before our meeting is think through how you actually live in your kitchen, your real daily patterns.
Your routines: Walk through a typical day. Where does morning coffee happen? Where do you prep meals? If you entertain, how many people are you realistically hosting? If you're in the Gallatin Valley, you know winter and the holidays often mean more guests than your kitchen was designed for. Think about those moments when your current space doesn't work, when you're bumping into each other, when you can't find what you need, when the flow just feels wrong.
Your storage reality: What do you actually need to store? Small appliances, bulk pantry items from Costco runs, a stand mixer you use weekly vs. one that lives in a box. If you have ski gear, mudroom overflow, or cold-weather necessities cycling through, where does that realistically need to live?
Your non-negotiables: What are you absolutely unwilling to compromise on? A specific type of workspace? Drawer storage instead of lower cabinets? A coffee station that's separate from the main work triangle? Knowing your hard requirements helps us design around what matters most.
Your budget range: We work with multiple cabinet lines, Nickels, Bridgewood, Shiloh, and others, which means we can design for different price points. Understanding your budget isn't about compromise; it's about steering toward the right solutions from the start. Custom cabinetry is an investment, and being upfront about numbers keeps your project on track.
Your timeline: Do you have a hard deadline? A move-in date? Hosting Thanksgiving? Or are you flexible and just want it done right? Timeline affects material choices, scheduling, and which cabinet lines make sense for your project.
If you're remodeling: Take photos of your current space. Get shots of the full room from multiple angles, close-ups of problem areas, and anything that shows how the space connects to adjacent rooms. It is best to see what we're working with: the layout, the light, the flow.
If it's new construction: Bring your floor plans. Even rough sketches help. A designer can immediately start thinking about what's realistic when they can see the actual layout instead of trying to visualize it from verbal descriptions.
Inspiration images: Bring your favorites: Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, magazine clippings. But edit them down. Your top 5-10 images that really capture what you're drawn to are more useful than 100 photos of kitchens you kind of like. We're looking for patterns: Do you gravitate toward clean lines or traditional details? Light wood or dark? Open shelving or closed storage?
You can also browse Quest's Instagram feed or Quest's Pinterest for ideas, or check out our portfolio to see custom cabinetry we've designed for Bozeman and Big Sky homes.
Your questions: Write them down. The questions you're afraid sound dumb are usually the most important ones to ask. This is your project, your money, and your home. If you're wondering about it, ask.
How the process works: We'll walk you through the full timeline: design, manufacturing, and installation. Custom cabinetry has lead times that vary depending on materials and finishes, so we'll talk through what's realistic for your project and which cabinet lines align with your timeline and budget.
How you'll use the space: We'll dig into your daily routines, your storage needs, and the pain points you mentioned. We design for function first, how the cabinets will actually serve your life, not just how they'll look in photos.
Style and materials: We'll show you samples, door styles, finishes, hardware options, so you can touch, feel, and compare. We'll walk through our cabinet partners and help you understand what fits your aesthetic and quality expectations. Because we work with multiple manufacturers, we can tailor the design to match both your vision and your budget.
Storage solutions: This is where we get specific. Deep drawers vs. cabinets. Pantry pull-outs. Custom inserts for spices, utensils, or small appliances. Islands with hidden storage. We'll talk through organizational accessories and pull-out systems that make your cabinetry both beautiful and highly functional.
Budget and options: We'll discuss where your budget can go furthest and where upgrades make sense. Custom cabinetry pricing varies based on materials, finishes, and complexity, but we'll make sure you understand what you're getting for your investment.
Once we've talked through your needs, style, and budget, you get to decide if you want to proceed to design. If so, you'll sign a design agreement and pay a retainer and the team will get to work on the design phase: drawings, layout options, and 3D renderings that show how your custom cabinetry will actually look in your space.
We'll schedule a follow-up meeting to refine the layouts, make final decisions on materials and hardware, and lock in the design details.
Visit our showroom in Bozeman to explore options and talk through what's possible for your space. Call us at 406-586-0093 or stop by to schedule an appointment.