A kitchen remodel can be one of the most expensive and stressful projects you’ll ever take on. Most homeowners start excited about cabinets and tile, but that excitement fades once permits, rising costs, and the reality of living without a kitchen set in.
Without a solid plan for your kitchen remodel, the process can feel chaotic and overwhelming. It may test both your budget and your patience.
If you feel unsure about where to start, this guide can help. It breaks the process into clear steps and explains timelines, costs, and the right order of work. In the following sections, we will show you how to plan a kitchen remodel from the ground up so you aren’t left guessing.
Pre-Planning and Kitchen Design
The kitchen remodel process begins months before any walls come down. When homeowners rush the design phase, changes often surface later in construction, leading to delays and additional costs. These mid-project changes, like reworking electrical layouts or resizing cabinets, can increase costs and delay completion. Here’s how to plan.
- Define your “Must-Haves”: Be honest. Do you really need a $5,000 espresso station, or do you need more drawer space for pots and pans? Write down your non-negotiables first.
- Set a Hard Budget: Decide on a total amount, then set aside an extra 15% as a backup. Hidden issues like bad wiring or leaks often show up once the walls are opened.
- Gather Your Vibe: Start by collecting real-world kitchen photos that reflect your style. Look beyond colors and notice how the work triangle functions in each space.
- Choose the Right Contractor: Hire a contractor who actually listens. If they don’t answer your texts now, they won’t answer them when your kitchen is a pile of dust.
- Sign the Papers: Ensure every detail is included in the contract. This should include specific items, such as hinge brands and the exact model number of your dishwasher.
Step-by-Step Kitchen Renovation Process
People always ask, “When remodeling a kitchen, what comes first?” The answer isn’t demolition. You need to seal off your HVAC vents and tape down heavy plastic. If you don’t, fine drywall dust will live in your bedroom carpets for the next three years. Below is a clear step-by-step kitchen renovation process to follow.
Step 1: Review Your Existing Kitchen Space
Before planning anything new, take a close look at the existing layout and structural condition of your kitchen. Do not assume everything beneath the surface is level or stable. For example, in many older Cary homes, floors can settle unevenly over time. If heavy materials like granite are installed on an uneven base, the added weight can cause cabinets to shift or pull away from the wall.
Next, check your home’s electrical capacity. Modern appliances, such as induction ranges, require a dedicated 40-amp or 50-amp circuit. If your home still uses an old glass-fuse box, upgrading the electrical system will likely be your first major expense.
Step 2: Select the Best Kitchen Layout
Your kitchen layout shapes the whole room, so it needs to fit your space. Here are the most common layouts and how they work:
a) U-Shaped Layout
This is great for high-volume cooking. You get three full walls of counter space. Just make sure the “U” isn’t too tight. You need at least 4′ of open floor space in the middle to move around comfortably.
b) L-Shaped Layout
The L-shape is the king of the open-concept home. It uses two walls and usually leaves plenty of room for a central island. It’s perfect for families who like to hang out in the kitchen while someone is cooking.
c) Galley Layout
Think of this as the chef’s kitchen. It has two parallel lines. It’s the most efficient way to cook because everything is just a pivot away. Try to keep at least 42″ between the two rows so you can open the oven door without hitting the opposite cabinets.
Step 3: Wall Finishes and Cabinet Installation
Once the layout is finalized, wall preparation comes next. Painting the walls before installing cabinets saves time and avoids the need for careful trimming around cabinet edges later.
After the paint is dry, the cabinets are carefully attached to the wall studs. Wall studs are the strong wooden beams behind your walls, and attaching the cabinets to them keeps everything sturdy and level.
This cabinet installation step is critical because if the base cabinets aren’t perfectly level, your countertops can crack or gaps may appear. Getting it right here ensures a solid, flawless foundation for the rest of your kitchen.
Step 4: Lay Down Flooring
In the next step, the flooring is installed. In 2026, most professionals install the floor so that it runs beneath appliances. But they usually don’t put flooring under the heavy base cabinets. This makes it easier to replace the floor later without removing the cabinets.
No matter what material you choose, for example, tile or luxury vinyl plank, make sure the subfloor is perfectly flat. Even a small 1/8-inch bump can cause a click-lock floor to pop or squeak every time someone walks on it.
Step 5: Add Essential Kitchen Features
You’re almost at the finish line. The next step is for the workers to measure the cabinets so the countertops fit just right. To avoid mistakes, it’s important they measure the installed cabinets rather than just follow the plans.
Once the countertops are in place, the plumber returns to connect the sink, faucet, and dishwasher. After that, the backsplash is installed to protect the walls from water and grease and give the kitchen a clean, finished look.
How to Find the Right Remodeling Partner in Cary, NC
If you are in Cary, Apex, or the Raleigh area, you have plenty of options for kitchen remodeling contractors. But a kitchen remodel isn’t just a weekend DIY project. You need a team that understands local NC building codes and stays with the project, even when challenges arise.
At AG Construction Management (AG-CM), we don’t just install cabinets and walk away. We manage everything from the first permit application to the final inspection to make sure everything is done correctly. Because we focus on quality in every build, we prioritize structural integrity over how things look.
We are transparent about costs, so you won’t be surprised by a bill that’s about 20% higher than the quote. For a local Cary homeowner, having a partner who handles the timeline and coordinates the trades is the only way to keep a kitchen project running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Planning a remodel is exhausting, but the payoff is worth it. A well-executed kitchen changes the way you live. It becomes the place where your family actually wants to gather. Just remember to be patient. Sometimes, mistakes happen, such as incorrect sinks arriving or tiles being delayed. This is normal in every project.
The key to a successful remodel is careful planning for unexpected problems. Follow the steps in the right order, and don’t let your contractor skip important inspections just to save time. When each step receives the attention it deserves, the final result feels both functional and lasting.
Ready to transform your home? Reach out to AG-CM for a consultation to start mapping out your 2026 kitchen remodel today.
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