I think most people choose the cabinets first since it is such a large area. Some have a special item they are building their kitchen around. It will be interesting to see what others say.

It depends on so many things. I found unique items and really good appliances I wanted at great prices so I bought them long before I even had a set layout and certainly before i picked cabinets. Still vacillating on that. I then chose a floor. I'm backwards and definitely not conventional. Look through pics to see what you're drawn to and then just pick a point and start shopping. I'd consider floor or cabs first. Then go from there.

Hi stacie -

We have just recently finished our kitchen project. We started last Jun interviewing KD. Here is the order/rough timeline (more or less) that we followed:

1. Appliances (finalized June/July. Ordered late Dec)
2. Layout (finalized by August)
3. Cabinets - then tweaked/finalized appliance selection (finalized by Aug. Signed contract w/ KD)
4. Sinks/Faucets/Decorative Lighting (September. Ordered in Jan)
5. Granite (Sep-Nov. Signed Contract in Oct - oops found granite we loved even more - signed new contract in Nov after a few apologies!)
6. Flooring (Nov)
7. Backsplash (Oct-Nov. Ordered in Dec)
8. Knobs & Pulls (Nov)
9. Under cabinet lighting - (Jan. Ordered in Jan)

There are many other smaller decisions along the way but these were the major milestones for us.

Demo started Jan 28. The long span of time between KD contract and demo was due to issues with the hood and the ventilation. It took weeks to resolve - not a huge deal to me.

The one area I did not understand until we had passed the point of no return was recessed lighting. It is lights right??? The electrician installed Halo. Soon after I became educated on recessed lighting thru Garden Web and realized I would have selected Juno and the Wheat Haze trim rings - a more pricey selection but worth it to me. Oh well - maybe next time!

Our KD was the best. She kept us on track and guided us appropiately with timing and resources.

Oh! and the best tip I have? I bought a 3 ring binder and tab seperators to keep all quotes/info/receipts (by the major categories). I could then carry my binder with me when shopping.

hth

The first thing to do is determine what your goal for the remodel is! Take the "Sweeby Test" in the "Read Me" thread (linked below).

Meanwhile, look at kitchen sites and magazines and start an "inspiration" folder. Cut out/copy kitchens that you like...even if it's just one feature of the kitchen. Make a note of what you like/don't like. Eventually, you will start to see a trend of your likes/dislikes. This will make choosing cabinets, appliances, fixtures, flooring, and finishes easier for you as you progress through the planning stages.

Next, think about your budget. You'll have to look around to price things in your area to help you set a realistic budget. Price out appliances (low-, mid-, high-end), cabinets (both stained wood & painted and various wood species), fixtures (sinks, faucets, etc.), flooring (wood, laminate, vinyl, tile), electrical, plumbing, etc.

While you're doing all of the above, you'll probably narrow down what it is you like/want even more.

Make a preliminary selection of appliances to help with the next step. But, unless you get a "deal of a lifetime", don't buy them now...warranties often begin the day they're delivered, features change (usually for the better), and you don't necessarily want to be constrained in the next step to specific sizes.

What's that next step? Layout! The most important aspect of your remodel is the layout.

First, though, ask yourself which is more important to you...function or looks ("form"). Usually, if someone uses their kitchen a lot for cooking, function is more important. However, if someone rarely cooks and really just wants a "show kitchen", then form is usually more important. Yes, there are exceptions. Note that just b/c someone values function over form, it does not mean that form is unimportant...it usually means that function will take precedence when a choice has to be made b/w function and form. In fact, the "ideal" kitchen incorporates both function and form!

Finalize your layout before going any further...and it could take weeks, if not months to come up with one that encompasses all you need and as many "wants" as your budget and environment allow and still have a functional & beautiful kitchen. You want a final layout so that when you go for bids you will be looking at bids based on the same thing. Yes, there may be some tweaking needed to fit everything, but there shouldn't be anything major.

While you're finalizing your layout, you will be able to finalize your appliance choices as well so that once the layout is finalized, you've been able to fit/place your appliances appropriately.

Note: This site can be a great help with your layout. There are quite a few people here who enjoy working on layouts. One of the nice things about working on a layout here is that you get advice from different perspectives--not just one like if you deal with a single KD only.

Oh, that brings up another thing to consider...you will most likely work with a KD at each place you get bids from. Some don't like it when you have a layout already done b/c they think they can do better and they like to make it "theirs"...even though it's not their kitchen...it's yours! So, listen to them (you may get more ideas) but keep in mind that this is your kitchen, not theirs. You have to live and work in it, so don't let them talk (bully) you into their vision if it doesn't match yours. You will need to stand firm throughout your project as your GC/Contractor will most likely also have an attitude of "they know best"...so practice standing firm and holding your ground now!

Now that you have a layout and a pretty good idea of appliances, fixtures, cabinet-type, etc., it's time to get bids! I recommend you get at least 3 bids (more is better). While working with the KD and/or GC/Contractor to get a bid, make a note of how they work with you...do they really listen to you (and act on what you say)? are they accommodating? pushy? do they return calls in a timely manner? etc. They will most likely be on their "best behavior" while they're trying to get your business, so if you have problems communicating with them or in any way dealing with them at this stage, it probably will not get better later. No one is perfect, but if there are a lot of red flags, I would seriously consider dropping them.

When you decide on which KD/GC to go with, don't base your decision solely on price/cost. Look at everything...how they treat you, how knowledgeable they are about kitchens/remodeling/their products, what products they offer, how flexible they are with "new" ideas & ways to do things, etc.

After that, your selected KD/GC will guide you through the rest.

One note: You do not have to have everything decided up front...as long as you have a layout that works for you and your family, you can pick things out as you go along. However, cabinets usually take the longest to order and arrive, so that's one thing you will have to decide early on. Next are appliances...and these should be finalized at cabinet choice as well b/c you need to be sure they will fit in your layout. This is where some tweaking may be needed...accommodating your appliance sizes. Ditto for sinks (since sink bases also have to be ordered.) For sinks and appliances, if you stick with "standards" you'll probably be OK even if you haven't made a definite decision (e.g., order a 33" or 36" sink base and be sure you have a refrigerator alcove/enclosure at least 36" wide by 72" high)

Countertops, fixtures, etc. can be finalized as you go along. For example, we didn't pick our granite until our cabinets were in. We had a very good idea what we wanted, but we couldn't find anything we both really liked for many, many weeks.

One caveat....if you are going with something very different from the norm (e.g., an extra long sink or an unusually sized appliance), then you will need to finalize that item when working on your layout.

I know it sounds complicated and convoluted, but it's really not. Keep reading here and on other Forums (like "Remodeling" and "Building a Home") and you will gradually learn all about the process.

Please do not rush the planning stage...it's a lot easier & cheaper to fix a problem when it's only down on paper than it is once you've ordered cabinets or purchased appliances! Keep a special eye on required clearances around appliances (for both air flow and ability to use the appliance), around cabinets, and in the kitchen in general. You don't want to install everything and then discover that appliance doors don't open fully or interfere with other appliances, cabinets doors/drawers hit the pulls/knobs of other cabinets, you don't have sufficient aisle width for a functional kitchen, you don't have enough workspace, etc. All of these problems have been seen recently in posts here...most when it was too late to do much about it.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

You probably are not being notified by email when someone posts a followup to your thread. That's b/c you do not have the email option turned on in your Profile. See the "Read Me" thread I linked to in my previous post for more information. Scroll down to the post with a subject of "Getting Emails Sent To You...3-step Process"

Wow, thank you all so much for responding. I am so excited and a bit aprehensive about this long process, but the tips you gave me are so appreciated. The binder will be a lifesaver steelerfan. As for you Buehl, that was such a wonderful detailed answer. I hope others just starting out will be able to reference all of that great information. Really, thanks for taking the time. I'll continue to read these posts, and I'll be happy to share once I get started on this process. You all are going to be life savers I'm quite sure! Have a wonderful day!