A total kitchen remodel will probably be the biggest investment you make. It could be costly and will require a lot of thinking. You will have to decide if you will be changing your appliances along with your cabinets. Maybe you will be removing a wall and designing an open concept kitchen/dinning room, or maybe just even an island in your kitchen. This will all take time and work. I will take your through a list of things you should do before you go ahead and hire a contractor.

1. Go to your favorite kitchen cabinet showroom and start picking the brand, style, color and accessories you wish for your new kitchen. Do not start the demolition of your kitchen until you have all the materials you want. You will have to make other choices as well. You will need to choose countertops, flooring (hardwood, tiles, etc...). Appliances, if you are replacing them. Lighting (recessed, low voltage, under cabinet, etc...). Faucets and sinks as well as pulls and knobs for your kitchen cabinets. It may not seem hard, but once you start trying to combine colors and styles it may become overwhelming. I have heard this several times.

2. Now it is time to pick your general contractor. You may be removing your walls, old cabinets, appliances, flooring, ceiling, lighting, plumbing and heating. In some cases you may not have to remove these items. Call 3 general contractors and get separate prices for the work you require. Have the contractor separate prices for demolition, framing, carpentry (moldings and cabinet installation), flooring, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. The reason to separate these items is to compare the prices with the other contractors. If one contractor is higher with his demolition, find out the reason why. He may have a valid reason to why his price may be higher. Once you have all the prices, compare and ask questions. To most contractors you will be looked at as a pain in the butt, but you are just making sure you get the right price for your remodel without over paying.

3. Get reference from the contractors. They will most likely give you good references. Do some investigating. Call your local building department and ask them about the contractor. Also do searches online to find any bad reviews.

4. When you choose your contractor, they will give you a contract to sign. If they do not, make a contract for them to sign. Check with your local laws to find out what the maximum deposit amount should be. If it is a good contractor that has good credit with his suppliers, 10-15% should be enough to start.

5. Make a schedule with the contractor to perform the work. Sometimes it may conflict with your schedule, but they may work at night as well, so make sure you know about it ahead of time.

6. Get a design of your kitchen from your kitchen designer or architect so that the contractor can follow the plan. Give your designers name and number to the contractor so that they may communicate. It is not rare that issues arise, but your contractor and designer can straighten them out.

7. Coordinate with the contractor for the products he will be needing to perform the work. Kitchen cabinets, faucets, sinks, flooring, etc... These could be excuse for the contractor to not perform his work. Be sure to have everything ready and available. Make sure the contractor knows about the products prior to buying them so he can agree that a certain product will fit or is accepted by your local building inspector. If you are changing appliances, make photo copies of the installation manuals to give to the contractor so they can review installation and clearance requirements.

8. Finally, sit back and watch as your kitchen gets revamped. The schedule may not work out as planned. You will get stressed out, you will get dust in your home and you will get angry at times. The important thing is that you have control of the project and you know what is going on.

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