Free guide
Kitchen remodel planning checklist
Work through this before you call anyone. It takes about 20 minutes and makes every estimate you get more accurate.
A good estimate starts with a clear picture of what you want. Print this page or keep it open on your phone, and tick off each item as you go. You do not need every answer. Even a partly filled checklist gives a contractor far more to work with.
1. Set the goal and the budget
- Write down the three things that bother you most about the kitchen today.
- Decide the total you are comfortable spending, and hold part of it back for surprises. Ask every contractor how they handle hidden conditions.
- Decide whether the layout changes. Moving a sink, a gas line or a wall usually affects the price more than any finish choice.
- List what you want to keep: appliances, flooring, or cabinets that are in good shape.
2. Decide who supplies what
On many remodels the owner supplies some items. It should be written down either way.
- List the appliances, cabinets, counters, tile and fixtures, and note who will order each one.
- Ask about lead times. Custom cabinets and some appliances can take weeks to arrive, so ordering early often protects your schedule.
- Ask what is an allowance (a set amount for something you have not chosen yet) and what is fixed.
3. Gather photos and measurements
- Save 5 to 10 photos of kitchens you like, and note what you like in each one.
- Measure the room and note the windows, doors and any soffits.
- Take photos of every wall, and note where the sink, range, refrigerator and electrical panel are today.
4. Know your house
- Note the age of the home and any known problems, such as leaks, older wiring or past repairs. Older homes can hide surprises behind walls.
- If you live in an HOA, ask whether your project needs review before work starts.
- Ask who will pull the permits. Rules differ by city.
5. Questions to ask every contractor
- Will I get an itemized written proposal, with what is included and what is not?
- How are payments tied to finished work?
- How are changes priced and approved, in writing, before the work is done?
- What does the warranty cover, for how long, and is it in writing?
- Who will be at my house each day, and how will I get updates and progress photos?
- How will you protect the rest of my home from dust, and clean up?
6. Plan for living through it
- Set up a temporary kitchen: a spot for a microwave, a coffee maker and a small refrigerator, away from the work area.
- Think about pets, children and anyone working from home during the noisy days.
- Decide who makes decisions for your household, and by when selections have to be made.
Ready for a real number?
Send us what you have, even a partly filled checklist, and we will walk your kitchen and send a free, itemized written estimate.