First of all, you are not starting too early. Secondly, being your own GC is a great way to go if you enjoy planning, shopping, researching online, talking to lots of people in the trades, reading and are ORGANIZED. I was the GC for our entire kitchen and our carpenter said I made his job real easy. My husband had no input other than yea or nay when I couldn't make up my mind when it came to some final decisions, most of the time we agreed.

To be organized I got a 3-ring binder and added those plastic transparent pages that act as pockets and had a section for every aspect of the renovation. For example: lots of pictures of cabinets, appliances, floors, window treatments, faucets, sinks, etc. were cut out of magazines and put into the plastic pages. Then once I started to purchase items, the receipts were put into the binder. Many, many times I had to go back to these to call the company to check on arrival dates. When the electrician was here, I could quickly pull up the specs on the dual-fuel range so he would know where to put the outlet, or show him exactly what kind of undercounter lights I wanted. I also put X's on the ceiling as to where I wanted the recessed light to be installed, and marked the places for the outlets above the counters.

I bought my cabinets (Decora) from a small kitchen designer who came highly recommended from my carpenter and one other reference. My carpenter said he had never seen anyone so organized and was very happy to not have to run around for me. I also went with him when it came to selecting the trim for all the doors and windows. I have 5 windows and 6 doors in this kitchen. I was not leaving any decisions to anyone but myself. I also worked directly with the electrician for all the ceiling and undercounter lighting. I didn't need to work with the plumber, my carpenter did. When it came to the backsplash, I made an appointment with a particular person at a tile store and he really was a terrific help. I chose Sonoma tiles, so no error could be made here. I only work 2 days a week, so I had plenty of time to shop around for appliances, compare prices (online) select tile, lighting, cabinets, paint color, flooring, etc. I shopped during the week when salespeople had plenty of time to spend with me. Did I spend more than I originally expected to? Yes, lots and we didn't take down anything but a half wall. But, since this is our last kitchen, I didn't skimp on anything.

The carpenter and plumber were very competent and I never felt a designer was necessary. This forum was invaluable to me. I learned a great deal here and got lots of help and support.
Maureen in Mass

Thank you so much for your input, Maureen. I have already started a binder with clippings, sectioned by counters, island ideas, etc. I think I actually need a larger one! I'll take your advice and purchase some plastic photo sheets, great thinking.

Luckily, we have several friends that are in the building industry, so hopefully that can save us a bit on installation of lighting and plumbing. The one thing that worries me is how much cabinets will cost (18x13 kitchen with one L-shaped section, a bar section and a wide center peninsula (serves as more of an island) flanked by wide openings to the DR and LR). I need to ask around and see if anyone here has hired a cabinetmaker or ordered from big box stores.

Thank you again!

A. Oh, boy, are you not starting too soon! A very, very easy piece of advice is to analyze and, if necessary (necessary for most people), educate yourself about what you really like. Decorating magazines are very helpful, but the ones available now will only showcase today's looks, which the kitchen industry will soon replace with tomorrow's (as in next year's) looks. Books and magazines over the past 80 years are what's needed.

B. Know nothing about NKBA guidelines, but as an appraiser I never found national pricing guidelines helpful. Among other things, geography matters. Your evaluation might start with a search for the best small local cabinetmakers in your area and an evaluation of what custom cabinets would cost. By and large, avoid anyone with a showroom, leading to:

Keep out of the hands of the kitchen industry, with the exception perhaps of a good designer whose expertise only is purchased. No matter how nice one might be, the prices are outrageous.

D. Regarding moving plumbing, etc., a good designer's advice can be a fantastic investment. IMO--experience-based, many people in the construction industry know a great deal about some things but really do not understand that there are issues related to what they do that they know nothing about. They often can be recognized by the sincere authority with which they speak and their earnest attempts to keep you from making mistakes. Watch out for them!

I hadn't been thinking about those markups by design centers,rosie, thanks for reminding me! I have done a little sleuthing and have come to find out that there is a local cabinet guy literally around the corner from me (no website, etc.) on this little island I live on. I think I may have found a starting point!

Thanks again, y'all. This is going to be the "fun part" of our remodel of a former owner's remodel of a 1930 bungalow. I say "fun" because it's the eventual aesthetically pleasing part of renovating that I look forward to. Replacing two 25 year old heating and air systems and adding hurricane shutters wasn't my idea of "fun" ;)