Another place where planning provides a reality check is around your completion timeframe. "Many people don't realize how much time it can take to remodel or renovate a kitchen." relates designer Dina Lennon."You need to think about when you would like to start the project, as well as when you'd like it to be completed. A recent study by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (nkba.org) found that kitchen remodels take over thirteen months, on average, from the time people first start considering the project to the time the work is done. And the majority of that time is generally spent in the consideration and decision-making phases of the project -- which means it's extremely important to allow enough time for planning. I encourage people not to wait to make decisions until the project is under way, because that tends to cause delays and run up costs."

Thorough planning and high motivation can help reduce design time, shorten lead times for materials purchases, and minimize the number of days you spend living in the midst of renovation. But be realistic about what you're in for, because even the smoothest kitchen remodels don't happen overnight.

2. Hold the line on costs.
The heart of any remodeling plan is the budget or budget range. Decide at the start of your project how much you can spend, and stick to that limit—minus 10-20% for unplanned cost overruns. The tighter your budget the more important this is. Most plans can be designed within any budget from shoestring to stupendous. But if you're not firm about your bottom line your costs are bound to creep upward and you might fall short in the end. You could end up settling for undesirable options, hassling with contractors, living with an unfinished kitchen—or all of the above.

If your kitchen needs more help than your checkbook can provide, invest "from the ground up" to get the most value for your money over time. For example, don't put granite countertops on cabinets that have only a few more years of useful life. To spruce up a faded kitchen try painting the walls and eliminating clutter. Painting older cabinets white and adding new hardware can also take short money a long way. Or make your first purchase a professional design plan.

This will enable you to know what you're working towards, so you can make the right moves in the right order as finances permit. Regardless of how much you're spending, the more comprehensive your plan the better you'll be able to control costs and avoid expensive mistakes, now and later.