Plan around daily habits.
List what frustrates you today: limited preparation space, storage, traffic or poor task lighting. Decide whether the existing layout can solve those problems before committing to relocated walls or utilities. Bring appliance specifications into the cabinet plan early.
Coordinate the decisions.
Cabinets, appliances, countertop measurements, backsplash and lighting depend on one another. Ask for a selection schedule and confirm delivery dates before demolition. Identify which finishes are fixed in the proposal and which remain allowances.
Plan life during the remodel.
Discuss dust protection, access, working hours and temporary food preparation. Agree on a communication routine and a process for concealed conditions discovered after demolition. The schedule should account for trade work, applicable inspections and material dependencies—not just installation days.
