How big of a change are you making?

• Do you want to keep the same layout for the space or create a new one? 
• Does everything in the space need updating or only certain elements such as cabinets, countertops and flooring?
• Do appliances or fixtures need updating?
• Are you wanting to make changes that might require electrical or plumbing work?
• How does this space join other areas in the home?

What size of budget are you working with?

You may have a starting number in mind, but knowing how to use that for your project needs can be hard when you are just starting out. Use tools like our Budget Calculator to get an idea of where your project costs might be. This will help you figure out how much of your budget should go to cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and more.

What are your cabinet storage and organization needs?

• Do you need more countertop storage space, more cabinet storage space or both?
• Do you like drawers for storage versus shelving?
• Do you buy in bulk and need to store those items in your kitchen?
• Do you have an abundant amount of cookbooks, kitchen tools or spices?
• Do you entertain frequently and need platters within easy reach?
• Do you prefer a Lazy Susan or pull-out shelves?

What layout changes would make life easier for you?

• An avid home cook may want a spice rack at the ready when cooking on the stove.
• A frequent entertainer may want a kitchen island with eat-in seating.
• A bookworm may want to create a small reading nook with built in bookshelves.
• A busy family may dream of a laundry room with a dog-washing station in it, or a drop zone to collect all of the shoes, coats, and bookbags.

Once you have a budget, how do you make sure you stick to it?

Think inside the box. Skipping on storage and organization features is one of the most frequently sited reasons for buyers remorse. Including features that make using your cabinetry (and kitchen) easier is worth exploring.

• Consult a design professional. While they do charge for their services, their experience and insight can more than compensate for costly errors due to inexperience or misinformation. They may notice details you might have forgotten, or anticipate expensive structural changes that you might have overlooked.
• Be honest about your cabinet budget. Design professionals and contractors will be happy to work within your reasonable guidelines if they understand the limitations from the onset. Better communication in planning results in lower stress for everyone.
• Plan ahead. The best way to avoid overspending your budget is to be specific in your planning.
• Make a list of all the features you have in your existing kitchen. Are these enough? Are there any features you would like to eliminate in your remodel?
• Plan for unexpected costs. Will there be any “surprise” costs to bring the structure up to local codes? Some remodeling projects exceed budget early simply because there are structural issues to be addressed that are not initially apparent.
• Older homes may require electrical or structural upgrades to accommodate the remodeling project and bring the structure up to local codes. Homes newer than 20 years are less likely to need major work of this nature.
• Make a “top ten” list of the features you most would like in your new kitchen. Be willing to compromise on less important items in order to invest in the more important features.
• While planning your design, be aware that moving major features like plumbing adds to the cost quickly.

Recommended Supplies

• A 16′ – 25′ long tape measure
• Pad of paper, preferably grid paper
• Pencil or pen, and another writing instrument in another color or a highlighter
• Having a helper is ideal, but one person needs to be consistently determining and recording the measurements

Steps for Measuring

1. Draw an outline of the room
2. Measure and note
   • Ceiling height and any existing soffits
   • Wall lengths
   • Location of obstacles along each wall, recording their height, width and depth from outside edge to outside edge (Include doors, windows and pipe chases)
   • Height from finished floor for items like windows, outlets, and vents
3. Check corner “square-ness” at the floor, base and wall cabinet levels to determine if you will have any issues during installation.
   • Mark a point 3 feet out from the corner of one wall
   • Mark a point 4 feet out from the corner of the adjacent wall
   • Measure the distance between the two marked points – if the distance is 5 feet, the corner is square (If your walls are not square, don’t worry, a good installer will be able to work around any issues by using shims between the cabinets and the wall)
4. Identify and note utility locations:
   • Plumbing
   • Range hook-up
   • Light switches
   • Electrical outlets
   • Lighting fixtures
   • Phone jacks
   • Heating/air vents (including locations in the floor)
5. Record measurements of any freestanding furniture pieces or appliances that may stay in the room
6. Have an electrician check the electrical service panel conditions to ensure it can handle any change of appliances you may be making in the kitchen
7. If attic or basement walls will be affected by the renovation, make sure any plumbing or venting changes are verified by a professional

• Formally measure your space
• Choose cabinet styles, finishes, and hardware
• Use visualization tools to preview your layout

It’s ok to ask the designer for references and to see samples of their work. You want this to be a good fit for both of you.

If you engage your own interior designer, make sure he or she is involved in the kitchen design process up front and that the dealer you are purchasing from knows that you have forged that relationship to ensure a smooth transition between the design and order process.

Understanding Timing

• Understanding timelines is a two-way street when you work with a kitchen designer. You may have scheduling deadlines of your own, but you will also need to consider the schedules of the installers and other contractors. For instance, October is too late to start a special-order kitchen remodel that you want in time for Thanksgiving.
• After the initial cabinet dealer consultation, design development can typically take two to three weeks before an initial room layout is presented. The products you choose may also impact the total project timeline. Wood floors, for instance, need an acclimation period of several days prior to cabinet installation.
• Identify a completion date, then add two weeks as a cushion for unforeseen hiccups that always happen in a project. Your designer can recommend a schedule that is workable for everyone involved.

Creating a Visual Record

• As you work with your kitchen designer, take photos of the products you’ve selected throughout the course of your cabinet consultations, from appliances to cabinet hardware to faucets to countertops. These photos will make it easier for you to coordinate the various elements of your kitchen with the new cabinets.
• Be sure to also take before-and-after photos of the entire kitchen so you can relish the transformation of your new space.

Control the Dust

If you are staying in your home during the project, there are a few things you can do to help keep the dust from spreading into other rooms, but we aren’t going to lie—this won’t be the most fun thing you’ve ever done. If you have a strong interest in cleaning, it’s best to just let it go. Giving up some control and knowing this won’t last forever helps to keep your eye focused on the renovation prize! Here are a handful of tips to help you along:

• Plastic and Tape – Seal off the kitchen area doorways with plastic sheeting.
• Keep doors and vents closed during construction days – Better yet, tape plastic over the vents while you’re at it.
• Moving Blankets or Tarps – In adjoining rooms, cover furniture with blankets, and bookcases with plastic painter’s tarps.
• Set Up a Work Area – When possible, set-up the construction area in a garage or outside covered area to eliminate the dust and noise of construction in the home’s living space.
• Flat Sheets – Wet the sheet and hang in front of the plastic to attract and catch drywall dust.
• 2 pairs of slippers – If you must walk thru the space, leave the dirty ones in the project room and clean ones on the other side–minimizing dust tracked throughout!
• Shop Vac – Save your good vacuum cleaner until the end.
• Leave when you can. – Take a break and focus on something other than your project.

Keep Communication Flowing

Before any kitchen remodeling work begins, hold a pre-construction meeting with your contractor. This way, you can ask specific questions, and your contractor can explain exactly what will be done, when it will be done and how long each task will take.

After the remodeling starts, keep your contactor’s phone number handy, and be sure to keep the lines of communication open.

Expect to set aside time for telephone calls and regular meetings with your contractor throughout the kitchen remodeling process to review the progress and discuss the schedule for the remaining work. This will enhance your understanding of the project, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and ultimately help make the experience a positive one for everyone involved.

Understand the Logistics

Your contractor should provide you with a weekly schedule of the work that’s to be done, when materials need to be ordered and when they’ll be delivered.

You’ll also need to plan for extra storage needs. Your contractor will have extra tools, materials and equipment in your house to complete the project, so you’ll want to find a good spot for them.

Expect the Unexpected

The bigger the bathroom or kitchen remodeling project, the greater the potential for problems, such as late deliveries, wrong parts, adverse weather, on-the-spot changes and more. But if you keep your cool, and stay calm and flexible, you’ll be able to ensure the remodeling process still runs smoothly.

Be sure to designate a haven in your home where you can escape the chaos and commotion of the construction. It’s easy to get caught up in the inconveniences of the project, but try to find ways to see the adventure, and sometimes even humor, when things come up.

• Drywall
• Flooring
• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Plumbing fixtures
• Backsplash
• Appliances

• Hardware
• Installing hardware
• Cleaning and caring for your cabinets
• Touching up paint
• Final adjustments like hinge alignment and drawer fitting which ensure everything works perfectly
• Final inspections