The key to any renovation project is planning. Kitchen remodel planning is no exception; in fact, if you’re going to remodel a kitchen, planning may be the most important step. Without a plan, kitchen remodeling can drag on for weeks or months past schedule, costs can skyrocket, and other unseen events can occur that make the job seem insurmountable. Planning a remodel carefully can help you avoid such nightmares.

Planning: A Remodel Must

Planning a kitchen remodeling project is no easy task, but here is a basic outline about what to do:

• Choose a style: Choosing a design is the first step.
• Measure: You need to know what can fit where.
• Select cabinets and other fixtures: Cabinets tend to be the focal point of the room, so remodel around them.
• Decide on appliances: Ensure that there is enough space, and that the color and design match the rest of the kitchen.
• Personalize: Give the kitchen a personal touch to make it your own.

If you’ve hired one, get together with your home remodel contractor or designer to decide what to do and in what order. These days, you can also plan your dream kitchen online, and many websites have tools that can help you plan virtually.

Contingency Plans: How to Prevent Disasters

Anyone who has remodeled a home knows things don’t always go according to plan. That is why it is a good idea to think of what could go wrong before it happens.

Here are a few things to keep in mind that may prevent disaster:

• Find a good home remodel contractor. Check out the contractor’s last job personally, and get references. A good home remodel contractor is worth waiting for.
• Make sure to have a kitchen remodel contract detailing what is expected.
• When asking references from the home remodel contractor, ask whether the time table was kept, if it was within budget, how the contractor kept them updated, and what happened when something went wrong.
• Keep the crew happy by providing refreshments, like coffee or drinks. Treating them with respect will encourage the crew to do good work.
• Use drawings to show what goes where.
• Detail your goals for remodeling, so that your home remodel contractor knows if you want more storage, a certain style, or something else.
• Provide pictures about how you would like your kitchen to look.
• Think about how you cook and design your kitchen around your cooking style.

What Not to Do When Planning a Remodel

There are several things not to do when planning a remodel. Here are a few guidelines:

• Unless you have sufficient experience, do not undertake the job yourself. If you want to complete part of the project on your own, you may want to leave at least electrical and wiring work to a professional.
• Don’t hire a contractor that you don’t trust, no matter how good the references or how low the bid.
• Make clear specifications when getting quotes.
• Don’t pay more than 30 percent in advance and work out a schedule of payments.
• Build a kitchen that works for you, but don’t over-customize–as you may sell someday.
• Avoid changing your mind. Stick to your plan.