Make a list of everything you might want to know about how they work, what they offer, and differences in brands. Ask, don't be shy. Our job is to answer but please be direct. Just had a walk in today and still not sure what they wanted to know. Pretty sure they wanted something more but could not figure it out and they never asked. Just kept bouncing around a few times they seemed to get close. Want a layout or a few cabinets priced, up charges, to see a few sample jobs with prices, how we work. . Glad to, just ask. Otherwise we'll be guessing and cover what we think you should know. May not be what you want to know. May have lost a sale for me and they will bounce around till either someone guesses right or they wear out.

Foxy01, So much of what you're posting is now in progress in my kitchen. We decided our project had two parts: the structural, and then everything else. We removed some ceiling and wall patches early on to get an idea of what we'd be facing once the structural work started. We hired an engineering to design the structural changes and then interviewed framers/carpenters with good structural experience who knew how to translate engineering drawings and calculations into reality. We just buried a beam into floor joists because I told the engineer to design it that way. I hired a KD to help me draw up floor plans and cabinet elecations to fit the space, with and without the structural changes. Cost $1200 and worth twice that. I'm my own GC and the subs that are working out the best are the ones who listen well, are responsive, & willing to talk through issues to find the best solution. Its concerning that you're not feeling good about your KD and that your GC is AWOL. You realize that the GC or KD are marking up everyone's work, including the cabinetry sub right? If you find your own they don't get the markup but you get exactly what you want. Angie's list is a great resource for contractors and subs. Word of mouth, too. I'm getting 3 estimates on everything. I'd consider getting a new KD and maybe a new GC too. I haven't read any issue in your post that's impossible so if I were you I'd be asking myself ... what's the nut? Are you changing the scope? Are there still too many variables to create a scope? Are you changing your mind too much? Unable to create a vision that others can turn into a plan? That's what a good KD can help do. One KD (read cabinet sales gal) proposed manufactured cabinets for a price that turned out to be exactly double the price of the fully custom cabinets I recently ordered. I found my own cabinet guy. He won't finalize measurements for the breakfast corner uppers until the plumber finishes moving the drain line and water pipes and duct work we discovered inside the wall we removed. That was our plan from the beginning; finish the structural work and then plan the cabinets around them. Turns out moving the pipes will be easy; moving the drain line will leave a small bump out behind one upper but I expected that. I did a lot or preplanning like you did. ItÂs overwhelming at first to have so much to learn and wrap your arms around. To capture those swirling questions, write them down, sort them into categories and then do what you do well: research until you're satisfied, document your results and check 'em off one by one. Set up files by category. Talk to others who have done their kitchens, subs you are considering, friends in the renovation business & yes, this forum. Good you have a solid recommendation for your GC but I encourage you to find someone you feel you can work with; preferably someone who wants your business, that you have personally referenced, and who returns your calls and emails. Hold onto your deposit money until you have the right people for the job and can foresee yourself working with them throughout the project. Don't let anyone pressure you to sign anything, including your check. Good luck, Foxy01. It will be wonderful when you come out the other side with the new kitchen.

Practically in tears and ready to run down the street screaming. Electrician seems ancient and fairly clueless. An upstairs outlet went partially bad (sudden low voltage/no power in half) after he left the other day. He is back today and seems disinterested in this issue. Drywall people still aren't here. They were supposed to arrive 2 hours ago. Worst of all the project manager has not been reachable since Monday. Won't return phone calls. Or emails. And to top it off, undarling husband refuses to be upset about anything EXCEPT being very mad at me for not being super chill about everything. I used to flip places and know the vagaries of dealing with contractors and subs and how you need to keep abreast of everything. Meanwhile, dh's Mom bought him this house a decade ago. Because he knows nothing he thinks everything is going well.

I ended up installing cabinets first and then tiling. I did the work myself so labor was free. The cooks kitchen is right about the labor, the extra effort is significant to shim the cabinets and cut tile around the cabinets. In my case I had to shim 3/4”. I used a premium travertine tile (zero fillings, perfect finish), and saved myself about 1k for tiles I would never see under the cabinets. 1k was not worth the extra effort I went through. The reason I actually did it though was because it’s easier to control the finished height of the counters. In my case I had very specific clearances for outlets mounted under very low windows I could not deviate 1/16” over. You also get a cleaner installation for the dishwasher and (integrated) fridge although that might depend on the brand. I am not a builder, just a simple homeowner with enough tools to tackle a full home remodel. The kickplates for those kinds of appliances are a set size, so you also don’t want an opening that is too much bigger than required.