A remodeling timetable or schedule will help you co-ordinate your renovation. It is very easy to fall behind schedule unless you plan ahead and get things as organized as possible. Then long delays between actions are avoided. The best thing to do is to buy a planner that shows at least a week at a glance. Then make yourself an overview of when you think all of the following will need to be done. Don't worry! It's not too hard to do if you can first decide on what exactly has to be done, and approximately how long it will take to do.

Depending upon the extent of your renovation, there will be tradespeople, contractors, delivery of products and materials to be coordinated in the right sequence. For example, you wouldn't do the tiling before installing the cabinets. (Would you?!) This remodeling plan may help you to check that everything is considered in time for the next stage of the remodeling. As far as time needed goes, you will have to make an educated guess after talking to your contractors. If you overestimate the time a little, you won't be in a position of having to put off contractors because the previous job isn't complete.

Preliminary Planning Stage: Decide on whether you'll do this yourself, or engage a designer. Research the cost and types of appliances, counter tops, cabinets (pre-made and custom-built), flooring, lights, sinks and faucets, backsplashes, paint. Decide on any reconstruction work (walls, windows) and price materials and labor. If you are going to tear walls down and extend, or put in new plumbing, you may well have to apply for building approvals from your local Council. This will take time, too. (Go to the Council website and find out whether you need approvals or not.) Decide on design, layout, style, materials, and fittings. You will need to do a lot of research on the Internet, or go to showrooms to see what is on offer.

Ask contractors to come and give quotes and advice about the work you want them to do. Get at least 3 quotes for each type of job you want done. Consider your needs as opposed to your wants and draw up a budget. Keep a 'wish-list' so that you can come back to this if possible. Add about 25% of your remodeling budget top of the original budget for a buffer against 'unforeseen events'. And there will be unforeseen events, trust me! Set up a place to act as your kitchen while the renovations are progressing. If you fail to plan for this, you may go insane before the remodel is anywhere near complete!

Buy appliances, sink, faucets. Order cabinets and island, light fixtures, tiles or other backsplash, flooring and paint. Check the sales advertised and also keep an eye out for adverts in the local paper. Keep a log of ALL expenditure on remodeling your kitchen. Expenses have a tendency to start spiraling out of control unless noted with strict discipline, and then you won't have the necessary money to complete your remodel.

Remodeling Stage: Remove everything from old kitchen and set up in temporary one. Remove all from old kitchen. This includes pulling up and lifting carpet, tiles, appliances, cabinets, racks, hooks, rails, etc. Get local not-for-profit agencies to come and take everything away for recycling or distributing. Do reconstruction work. Get plasterer to finish off cornices etc. Clean and dust. Remove grime. Paint the ceiling...undercoat and outer coats. Leave lights in place until near the end so that you can see to work. Install cabinets, sink, faucets, appliances (oven, cooktop, dishwasher) and island. Fill and sand walls if needed. Undercoat walls. Get plumber and electrician in to connect appliances and sink,lighting, make new power points, and internet connections. Tile or affix backsplash. Protect cabinets while giving walls final coats of paint. Do the floor - sand and polish timber, lay tiles, cork, linoleum, rubber etc. Add cabinet hardware. Pay your tradespeople and contractors on time.

The Conclusion: Move everything back into your new kitchen. Buy seating and other accessories. Put the warrantees and instruction manuals away safely. Tally up expenditure and compare with budget set.

If you follow a remodeling timetable like this one, you'll find life a lot easier! And now you can relax, heave a sigh of relief and thoroughly enjoy your beautiful new kitchen! And plan the next one ?!