Ask the expert

Professional accreditation, along with membership of a specialist organisation, is a good starting point for establishing that the designers or tradespeople who may carry out work in your home are competent and reliable.

The professional organisation that provides support for specialist kitchen and bathroom designers, the Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia (KBDI), offers members regular accreditation, training and ongoing professional development. Its aim is to ensure members consistently produce high-quality designs, and are updated on industry trends, new products and developments.

Kitchen designer and KBDI member Clinton Buckwell of Individual By Design is a Certified Kitchen Designer.

"Knowledge acquired through belonging to the KBDI directly benefits our clients, and they can expect, and be sure of receiving a better, more professional service," says Buckwell.

"An advantage of KBDI membership is that the organisation caters for the specific needs of kitchen and bathroom designers within the design industry," he says.

Through its accreditation process, the institute ensures members are equipped to offer high standards of workmanship. Only members who meet the KBDI's strict criteria are eligible to be known as Certified Kitchen Designers (CKD) or Certified Bathroom Designers (CBD).

For more information, or for the name and details of a designer in your area, contact the KBDI, phone 1300 253 223. Website: www.kbdi.org.au.

Story by: Trendsideas