Weigh the costs of hiring
professional help.

Planning Tips

Without a complete and detailed plan developed before the kitchen renovation begins, you may get swept into a spending spiral of unbudgeted extras, such as a larger island or expensive hardware selected under pressure at the last minute. If your plan includes precise dimensions and specific products, the cost estimate can be quite accurate, and you'll be able to verify that everything you want is available.

Doing some or all of the work yourself will, of course, change the budget forecast, but to help with that decision, costs for professional services can be estimated ahead of time. A designer will charge a fee -- usually around 6 percent of project cost -- to develop a plan for your kitchen, but that plan may feature money-saving ideas and efficiencies. As for the construction and product installation, you can improve your odds of getting high-quality work if you get word-of-mouth referrals for tradespeople and ask for proof of licensing and insurance. Pass on anyone who balks at this request.

Bear in mind that there are independent businesspeople who are at risk just as you are. Most can match clients' "bad contractor" horror stories with tales of their own -- about inflexible or indecisive customers, unpaid invoices, and other problems -- so be consistent, prepared, and available during the project, even if it's not large or complex.

Common sense rules the day. Designers who understand and respect your wants, needs, and spending limits are most likely to produce cost-effective plans that make you happy.

As for contractors, fee schedules vary, but most ask for a big slice of the price -- perhaps 40 percent -- when the contract is signed. As the work progresses, you'll owe installments. These numbers vary, so make sure the details are spelled out in writing in your contract, which should also include a work completion schedule.