[cairns]

Did it two years ago. Used upper end stuff.

First and foremost find a good remodeler you can trust. EVERYTHING else is secondary. Check their references and check their previous work. The cost of appliances, cabinets and countertops is minor compared to the pain and aggravation a bad contractor can cause. I can't underline this enough.

READ their proposed contracts. If you don't understand something find someone who does. If the contract is overly one sided find another contractor. Insist on a start date, end date and working hours. Carefully review the plans (is there space for the disposal under the sink cabinet? Are some cabinet doors too long and subject to sagging? What if your house isn't square (and it won't be)? Where will they put the demolished (old) stuff and how soon will it be gone?

Last, don't be afraid to spend $ on upper end stuff esp. if you're going to stay in the house. Cost differences will be less than you think and the quality and design possibility differences are huge. We went with Neff cabinets and Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances. They cost a lot more- but I smile every time I use that stove and the depth of the refrigerator allowed me to open up space I didn't think I had. Even if you don't go upper end why get a Kenmore or LG when you can have Kitchen Aid for only a little more? And find a wholesaler- don't go to the usual retail outlets- that will save you big $.

DO NOT get your kitchen remodeled at Home Depot. They sub to the cheapest installers and will carefully take no responsibility for your disaster. They will charge you retail for low to mid end appliances and take forever to deliver them.

The more work you do up front the happier you'll be in the end. Going to a retailer and trusting them to do it all is just asking for it.