Ten Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen

1. Decide what is cosmetic and what is needed. Budgets are key, so make a list of what you want and what you actually need. Some kitchens are so out of date they're dangerous. Faulty appliances, wiring or plumbing should always come first. Never spend a dime on cosmetic changes until you have obvious safety issues under control. If you don't know what's safe, call in an expert to give your kitchen a good inspection.

2. Plan a new layout. Are you going to keep the same floor plan or designing a new one? If your budget is not a concern, the sky is the limit. But if your funds are limited, you may need to work around existing wiring and plumbing, which limits your creativity. For example, you may have your heart set on a sink with an elegant vegetable spray tap in the center of your kitchen, but getting the plumbing routed that direction is going to take a lot of work. Be flexible. Focus on one or two changes and put your money toward those first. You don't have to do everything at the same time. You can work toward your dream kitchen in stages.

3. Measure your space and keep the list in your wallet or purse. You're going to need to know the width, depth and height of your kitchen before you can purchase new units with confidence. Use your floor plan as a guide to measure the exact space available for counter tops, cabinets and appliances. Don't estimate, take you time and do it right to avoid problems later down the road. Everyone who assists your project is going to want to know these numbers, so keep them handy.