The one kitchen design firm we interviewed required an $1800 fee before anything was drawn up. It was her looking at my space, measuring, and then saying "When you go with us, you will pay us $1800 to start," all while she was pushing the paper towards me to sign right then. I said, "Thank you," let her leave, and now I'm using her contractor, my own local cabinetmaker, my own counter guy (local, buys his own soapstone and marble, third generation soapstone fabricator) and design ideas from here and my cabinetmaker's designer and myself. If I did it again I'd just GC it myself.

Does your husband want the same things in the kitchen as you do? If no then work that out ahead of time. If yes then, find out how the KD works. You can go in prepared do go either way. Some of us are more like what sedonamazer expected than experienced. No matter how a KD approaches a job they should be asking lots of questions. Good design solutions do not spring from the ether on their own, they require collaboration. If you are truly open to new ideas let them know; most people are not. One way of working is to start with multiple options that are not fully developed. Only some KD's work that way, some can be persuaded. The more likely it appears to a KD that they have (or will get) the job the more likely they will be willing to do multiples. If they are on retainer, you are a referral, it appears you are shopping design and service, then more likely. All who I know of either start on retainer OR ask for before fully developing a plan. (note that a a retainer up front does not guarantee multiple presentation options- always ask how they work) If they can't tell what your priorities are, your primarily shopping cabinets brands or price, you seem to need to see a fully developed plan and pretty pictures, or your just running around trying to "get ideas" then less don't expect to see multiple options offered. As Herblover points out- many style decisions are worked out as things develope. But certain style choices are best considered early- contemporary, few or no uppers, strong horizontals, modular layout, two tone, wall cabinets set lower than standard, stacked uppers, deep counters...but these are typically mentioned as a matter or course by the client. AND basic style, wood and finish choices are needed to get even ball park pricing. If you want them to meet a budget then tell them what it is. There is NO way to prepare solutions and options to meet a budget by guessing.

Is this a new purchase or have you been living there for awhile? The reason I ask is that I wonder whether the small windows are deliberate, because of a need for privacy (e.g. bathroom) or because they are constrained by something like a kitchen counter height. It looks as if the house has lots of windows facing a beautiful view, and maybe there is a busy road on the other side that would be more annoying if there were big windows facing it. Around here, most lakeside homes with a beautiful view are deliberately closed off on the opposite side, for these reasons. Are the awnings for light control? I would live in the house for a year before removing them. The color is not good with the brick, but I do like a shelter over a door. It gives the house some dimension, protects against rain when standing there, and gives a nice sheltered feeling. If cost is an issue, you could try painting the awning over the door and removing the others if they don't add value. I would not paint this house. It's a significant expense, one time and ongoing, and I don't think it would look any better painted. There is nothing wrong with the color - it's a classic brick building. The air conditioners are an eyesore. Planting shrubs would help, but I wouldn't want to wait years for shrubs to mature. Google "hide an air conditioner" and you'll find many options to build, to give you immediate relief. Your photo is taken at a bit of an odd angle. There is obviously an attached garage to the left, that should be taken into account. We can't see your front door from where you're standing, but it looks like it is easily seen as you walk up the pathway. More pictures would really help. By painting the garage door you may be able to balance the house better. The large areas of brick can be balanced by landscaping. For example, a small tree between the 2 lower windows would give you instant relief from the expanse of plain brick, and would hide the discrepancy in window size. Choose one that doesn't get too large. Extending the porch and moving the steps wouldn't add much value here, and would add considerable expense since you'd need to move the walkway as well. If I were you, first step would be to get a consultation about landscaping. That will be your biggest bang for your buck. Here's a rough idea of what I mean. I'd reduce the size of the shrub in front of the porch, unless it is there for privacy. Also plant a tall narrow evergreen in front of the left side downspout. I added a wood surround around your air conditioner, and planted a small tree/large shrub between the windows. I'd also put a large pot with tall grasses, against the house on the walkway between the window and the door, again to break up that expanse of brick. Just putting in somewhat larger windows will not accomplish this.

Well, this is Kim--not a pro, but I get the do it on a budget thing. I think it's imperative that you get a good contractor. I also think that you need to do your research. We did our kitchen for less than 20K. everything new but the flooring, fridge, and oven. We did plan and research for about a year. Find your contractor now--if you get a good one, it'll take 9 months to a year before he/she is available to do the work. If the contractor is available any day now--beware. If you are new to your area, this first step may be a tough one. Ask people you know. You may even be able to get some references from this site, or Angies list, or Home Depot/Lowes. You may even be able to do the remodel in steps, so that you can save up and get higher quality products down the line. It sounds like your cabinets are the main driver. Interview your contractors. Get more than one quote. We have an excellent, well trusted contractor, whom we have worked with on many projects. We like this contractor, because he is a good communicator. He will talk budget with us, and he spells out cost for products and labor in his quotes. There are cabinet lines that are lower end. Sophie doesn't use those lines, because she has a wealthier clientele, and has excellent experience and taste. She also probably makes bank on those better lines, so who can blame her for the position she takes on this subject? It makes sense that she put her opinions out there, and she is right about the quality to a certain degree. Perhaps the lower quality cabinets you purchase won't last quite as long, or get your home onto the most saved photo list on this site. However, if your cabinets are falling apart, have an unpleasant odor, are rotting out, and your budget is 20 K, then you have to get creative and savvy. New cabinets that function and aren't rotting are a priority. Sometimes the driver isn't house beautiful--it's function over form because of the budget! (But don't throw form out entirely--that is still important too! That's where creative and savvy come in!) You can go to Ikea, or to Craigs list for gently used cabinets, or RTA, or a big box store...or any number of other places--but you have to do your homework! Learn about the products, measure your layout--realize you may need someone- contractor and/or KD who can tell you that you need a spacer here or there. You don't HAVE to set your refrigerator back to be in line with your cabinets--it looks nice, flows better, but may be cost prohibitive. I think that $3000 on a 20K budget seems quite high, but $1500 if you know that you don't have a very good handle on how this all works may save you a lot of dough down the line. You know your ability to do this better than I do. We went with Wolf cabinets, which have several lines--less expensive to more expensive. There are fewer choices/finishes in the lower cost lines. The lower end line cost was comparable to the RTA in cost, except these come assembled. Also these are made in America--check out their site. The lower end cabinet boxes are well made, and these have all the high quality, soft close features ( and use the same hardware used in the more expensive lines and custom cabinets). You can get 42 inch high wall units, Lazy Susans, drawer units. You CAN get full overlay in the lower end. You don't need crown molding right now--but you can plan to add it in the future if you want to do so. You can Rev a Shelf for your trash unit-Amazon/Build/all the box stores have Storage solutions that can save you money too. Measure your space--standard depths are less expensive--24 inch depth for lowers 12 inch for uppers. Think about how/when you/your spouse cook/use the kitchen. We kept the footprint of ours essentially the same, but made small changes that had a BIG impact in how smoothly things run in the mornings with 2 cooks in a very small kitchen. Hopefully this will help you. It can be fun, creative, and nerve wracking at the same time. Good luck. There are all sorts of good advice already given on here. You're going to have to tease out what will work for you.