Yes, if we go down the induction cooktop route, it looks like everything except my old cast iron pan will be getting replaced.

Unless the cast iron pan is glazed, it should probably be replaced too. They do not recommend the use of unglazed cast iron on induction glass cooktops. With that said, even most ikea cookware works on induction, so replacement is not a big deal. Induction works wonderfully.

Some inspiration

Quartz is wonderful, and new patterns seem to come out every day. The only drawback is if you really want a honed surface, that typically voids the warranty and makes it much harder to maintain. However, if you're happy with a polished finish (as I am!) quartz is a beautiful and durable choice.

Make a list of your wishes for the space. Take some measurements, draw a rough floor plan and then go to a couple of kitchen stores (not HD or lowe's) and talk to their designer

Thanks, everyone. I really appreciate your input. One additional question, do you think larger cabinets that go up almost all the way to the ceiling look okay in such a narrow galley kitchen?

I recently switched to induction and surprisingly almost my cookware was compatible. Even a wok I purchased in Chinatown sf. Just take a magnet to your cookware to find out.

You didn't mention whether you replacing all your cabinets or just repainting them. What's your budget?

Also, if I want to take out part of the left wall to make a little bar, should I get an architect, structural engineer, or will a GC be able to tell me if I can get it done. Will these pros give me an estimate before I hire them? Is it unusual to contractually hold pros to a "not to exceed" type of contract?

Budget is about $15k, but we are in CA, and everything is expensive. we want to replace the cabinets as they are original to the house, super old, and not functional.

You want all new cabinets and quartz counters, and to get it done for $15k? I think you're underestimating by a factor of 2-3 if you use all Ikea for the former, do no structure work, and make no other changes -- just two stretches of quartz could run you $3-4k.

On other points:

1) yes, go with higher cabinets -- they will make the kitchen feel larger and more grand, whatever its width.

2) yes, a contractor should be able to tell you what's possible, and most won't charge you for the consultation and estimate. it's possible that you'll need an engineer to look into your soffit, etc., and see where the joists are, whether it's load bearing, and the rest.

3) how exactly do you hope to get a "little bar" into a wall that's chock full of functional space? will you pair your new cooktop with a shift to a range, so that the wall ovens go? I'm not sure that a pass-through where the stove is would be anything other than folly. perhaps I'm not seeing what you had in mind.

4) you're talking about walls, which I can imagine might be nice, but that also means flooring. factor that into your estimates.

I think you need a bit more time to develop your plan (hopefully with a kitchen designer!) and to save up for what this is going to cost. The average kitchen renovation nationwide is something like $65k, which includes some larger kitchens but also a lot of much cheaper parts of the country.

Thanks for the input, acm. Like I said, we're in the very early stages. We have never taken on a project like this before and it is truly overwhelming. I hear so many horror stories about crooked GCs. I really don't know where to start, other than looking at pictures and making a wish list. I wish there were a step by step checklist or something. Ha!

I suggest a range instead of cooktop and wall ovens. You get much more counterspace that way, the room is more open and you get the same functionality.

Construction costs here in northern Louisiana are relatively cheap. Even so, tearing down a non loadbearing wall, using Conestoga RTA cabinets, Wilsonart HD countertops, GE/LG/Kitchenaid appliances and a lot of DIY, our 10'6" X 22' galley cost right at $25,000. Comparable brand name pre-assembled cabinets would have added $10,000. We have 263 linear inches of standard depth countertop so roughly 44 SF of countertop. Plug in cost of quartz and our kitchen would have cost $40-45 HERE where labor is relatively cheap. Not being critical. Planning a kitchen renovation can be a real eye opener in terms of cost. Tearing down wall transformed our home and cost us virtually nothing (obviously some related costs such as electrical, etc.) but we took both the old and expansion area down to studs inside one day.
Cabinets usually 1/3 of kitchen renovation cost. Most good cabinet companies have wall cabinets that look and function like they are stacked but are constructed with a single cabinet box. Typically less expensive than two separate cabinets and will save on install.

We live in seattle, just getting all the bids in on a medium size kitchen reno, and it looks like about 45 to 50k, includes keeping existing soffits, so shorter cabs, refinished floor, quartz countertop, new cooktopand downdraft system,backsplash and painting. Looking back once you make a decision to change the existing cabs, that's when you realize this aint gonna be cheap.We are keeping the existing dw fridge and ovens in a rather futile effort to keep it under 50k. Good Luck

Middle of the road pricewise is 60K. You live in a high COL, so you'll be higher for just plain average. You want above average structural work. You will be the 120K plus of an upscale remodel, but with the money going more for structural issues than the Sub Zero's and Wolfs.

Home Depot has a good countertop cost estimator; you select your location, put in the counter dimensions, pick the materials and edge style, and it gives you an estimate. In my experience, if your measurements are pretty good, so is the estimate.

Because you are in the early stages, you need to make a list of Must Haves, Would like to haves and in my dream haves. You need an army of pictures of the finished product. It can be an amalgam of combined pictures. You need to think about cabinets, countertops, sink, faucet, hardware, lighting, electrical, plumbing, structural issues, and more of what I have not even considered.

It truly would behoove you to get a kitchen designer. They will cost but they will save you a ton of money in the long run.

Sophie is usually pretty right on with costs and Hal did an amazing kitchen redo in stages that turned out awesome. But, it was designed well and planned even better.

Our kitchen was cheaper because we live in Indiana and my husband did the demolition, electrical, plumbing and some reconstruction. We used the same basic foot print with a few minor moves. Our GC was a friend and his cabinet person was amazing.

You will get sticker shock, but forewarned is forearmed. Most people say take the estimate and double it and take the time line and triple it!!

DO NOT WATCH HGTV. I have no idea where they get their costs or timelines, but I do not think they charge for labor and they have a boat ton of people that are in the background doing all the work.