Like a real estate agent will tell you when you?re looking for a house, the three most important things are location, location, location. So it is with the renovation of a kitchen? the three most important things are planning, planning, planning. It?s not that the cabinets and countertops are insignificant, but without a good plan to hand over to your contractor, the kitchen remodel may unravel along with your nerves. Photo Credit: IKEA Here?s a checklist to plan for those speed bumps along the way: Plan the Budget: How much do you want to spend? How much can you afford to spend? Plan for the unforeseen costs that usually come with extensive remodels. Plan t he Plan: Either hire a kitchen planner or architect to help, go online and work up your own design, or find some pictures in magazines and kitchen books to get started. Think function over frou-frou. Remember the ? work triangle ,? the placement for easy access of the refrigerator , range and sink . Decide if

you have or want one of these basic kitchen shapes : L shape , Island , U shape or Galley . Figure that into the final plan. Think resale value if that is a possibility in the future. Plan the C ontracto r: It?s a good idea to find someone by word-of-mouth and then still check them out carefully, calling other references and asking to see prior work. If that doesn?t pan out, you can use a free public service like CalFinder to locate a reputable contractor. Plan the Details: Every single aspect of the kitchen has to be decided, right down to the hinges and the color inside the drawers. Begin by making these decisions first. Click the links for more pictures and information: Cabinetry styles Countertop & backsplash ? bold colors or something calming? Flooring ? what materials? Energy Star Appliances Kitchen sink and faucet What about lighting ? Please bookmark and share

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What is the Most Important Part of a Kitchen Remodel?