How Much Does 2020 Design Software Cost?
2020 Design (now part of Cyncly, formerly 2020 Spaces) is the industry-standard kitchen and bath design software used by dealers, showrooms, and designers across North America. But the cost adds up fast:
- Annual license: $5,000 - $8,000 per year per seat
- Training: $1,000 - $3,000 for initial training courses
- Catalog updates: Included with subscription, but require time to install and learn
- Hardware: Requires a powerful workstation ($2,000+) for rendering
- Designer salary: $45,000 - $65,000 per year for someone who knows the software
Total first-year cost: $53,000 - $78,000 for one design seat with a trained operator. That is a significant investment for a small to mid-size dealership.
What Does 2020 Design Include?
The 2020 Design Flex platform provides:
- 2D floor plan and elevation drafting
- 3D rendering and visualization
- Manufacturer catalogs (cabinets, countertops, appliances)
- Items list generation with pricing
- Panoramic and interactive walkthroughs
- Order integration with select manufacturers
It is a powerful tool. The question is whether you need to own and operate it yourself, or whether someone else can operate it for you at a fraction of the cost.
The Alternative: Outsource Your 2020 Design Work
A growing number of kitchen dealers and remodelers have found a simpler approach: outsource the design work to a team that already has 2020 Flex, all the catalogs, and 30+ trained designers.
Here is how it compares:
- Cost: $100 per room vs $5,000+ per year for the license alone
- Turnaround: Next morning vs days or weeks with in-house
- Catalogs: 55+ manufacturer catalogs always up to date
- Revisions: Unlimited, included at no extra charge
- Source files: You get the native .KIT file back to edit or order from
- Commitment: No contracts, no minimums — pay per room
When Does Outsourcing Make Sense?
Outsourcing 2020 Design work makes sense when:
- You do fewer than 30 rooms per month (below that, the license cost per room is too high)
- Your designer is backlogged and you are losing deals to slow turnaround
- You need overflow capacity during busy seasons
- You want to offer design services but cannot justify the software investment
- Your designer left and you need immediate coverage
When Should You Keep 2020 Design In-House?
Keeping the license makes sense when:
- You do 50+ rooms per month consistently (cost per room drops significantly)
- You need real-time design changes during client meetings
- Design is your core competitive advantage and you want full control
Many businesses use a hybrid approach: keep one in-house designer for walk-in clients and outsource overflow work at $100 per room.
How to Switch to Outsourced 2020 Design
Switching is simple because the output is identical — the same .KIT files, the same floor plans, the same 3D renders. Your manufacturers and installers cannot tell the difference.
- Create a free account on the design portal
- Submit a test project with measurements and your preferred catalog
- Receive the complete design package by morning
- Open the .KIT file in your own 2020 Design (if you have it) or present the renders and floor plans directly
Most services offer a money-back guarantee on the first project, so there is no risk to try.