Are you asking a specific Houzzer this question or are you asking a general question to the professionals who visit Houzz?

Both? I know I'd like to get started in the process and just want to know the best approach and what to expect. Advise from both professionals and consumers would be greatly appreciated.

Hey, I'm a builder-renovator. The answer to your question lies in your answer to this question: 'Do you trust them?' If you answer yes, then you'll be well served to let them into the process. The project can be built around you and your goals, but only if the people who know the numbers and the implications can contribute. If your answer is no, then you may want to let them invest some time in earning your trust... or move on. Renovations are way to expensive and stressful on the best of days to be working with people you don't trust.

Start with doing your own research as to whether your budget and want list are compatible. They usually aren't. The first Pro who gives you a real quote usually pays the sticker shock price of not getting the job. If you at least have a ballpark idea of what a project costs, you will be more likely to shuffle on down the line past the guy who tells you lies and has unrealistically low allowances to make him seem like a real bargain.

If you can't trust your designer and contractor, then you don't need to be doing work with them. You don't start out a relationship by lying to someone. But, you do subtract 20% right off the bat as your contingency reserve. So, if your budget is 100K for your kitchen, your ''budget'' is 80K, plus your reserve. That let's you have peace of mind that you can do a few ''while we are at its'' or cope with the ''look what was in those soffits that has to be rerouted''.