Ditto, KD first. However, be SURE to interview your KD for the job! Don't be too nice/shy to ask for references and have a list of tough questions ready. Maybe even start a new thread asking for peoples suggestions re: what to ask a potential KD. I started w/one "KD" and it was a big waste of time (most precious) and a few hundred dollars in the "design fee" that I paid her. Relatively an inexpensive lesson learned. The designer I ended up with was pretty good, but there are still some issues I wish we'd clarified more at the design phase (he didn't center the panels on my SZ sxs fridge b/c he left room for the handles w/out consulting me and I hate it. Also, the "finished" panels for a very wide entryway look TERRIBLE - hard to describe why.) You really need to go over and understand every little tiny detail so you understand what you are buying! Also, be sure you work out a reasonable payment plan. Deposit, amount on delivery, another amount when fabrication ready, and be sure to hold back enough for the punch-list of finishing items at the end. I'm sure others will chime in with more helpful suggestions. Oh, and I wouldn't take the KD's recommendation for a GC. Maybe gather a list after speaking with her references. I would only take a GC recommendation from a homeowner who had used that person and would only consider hiring a GC after seeing at least 4 of his jobs in person. For both KD and GC, change their standard contract to include things to protect you throughout the process!!! Pay minimal deposits and be sure to hold back enough $ from the GC to be able to finish the job with someone else in the event of a disaster! OK, I hope I haven't scared you too badly, but be careful out there!

Snookums, I completely agree. I am seeing over the mountain to "not enough money to finish the job" - great design and no money to pay. So now (subject of a different thread) I have decided to hire the contractor, get the exterior work done, and get the interior work prepped but not order cabinets or countertop yet. I'm going to take some appliances from other floors and buy some new appliances, and cobble together more of an open-shelf kitchen that is usable but simple, as part of this phase. The goal now is to get done with the city-permitted part of the job (deck, stairs, door, and opening up walls, putting in a header etc.), get in a tenant on our ground floor for rental income, and just live in the space for a bit. And apply for a line of credit (we were denied one to add the deck and kitchen because we didn't have even a bare-bones 3rd kitchen in a 3 family, so now we will have a bare-bones 3rd kitchen). The goal is to then finance the cabinets and design part with a loan. I reailze this is a bit of a risky plan but I've been stuck for a few weeks and the longer we wait the longer it will be before we can get a much-needed tenant (we can afford the house with a tenant, really can't without one, and we're in month 3 without one right now; my goal would be to have a tenant in mid-June or starting in July, and not ...whenever). Back to the interior designer - I told her this plan and she still suggested coming out on an hourly or much smaller fixed fee basis to give advice (e.g., location of door off kitchen), and I'm inclined to get her help, but ask that it apply toward a fixed fee if we convert to that. I'd pay her the fixed fee or for her time, and we could go from there.

ply vs mdf and framed - I think we are behind the times here. The common perception is plywood is BEST, MDF is BAAAADDDD, framed is BEST. I will be blazing my own trail. ;) williamsem - sigh, yes. I think you have nailed it. I am trying to find reasons TO talk myself into using the local guy (we do like to support local when we can). We had another conversation about it last night and Dh feels 'obligated' because BIL installs for him. I however - do not feel obligated whatsoever. He will still get our laundry and bathroom business. I think it will be okay. I just need to make sure I have the support of dh who is the GC. But BIL is our 'builder' in name and will do some of our finish work with us. That is what is making things tricky. We've spec'd our own subs and haven't felt obligated to use any of his for electrical/plumbing/etc. so I don't see the kitchen as being any different. ann-thank you for adding your experience with the easy reach! I too am coming from a diagonal corner cave (had to actually CLIMB on the counter to see back there). The rental has blind corners - that's not great either. What do you store in your easy reach if I may ask? I suppose the options are pretty limitless. Nice idea for above the fridge. We have plenty of those boxes hanging around our house too. I need to narrow down a few things yet. Thank you all so much. I am seeing more 'clearly' now.

Talia -- I'm so glad you decided against the firm! I didn't want to offer an opinion before as I have no experience with a kitchen reno in your budget. Mine was a relatively modest $20k - no structural work but I replaced every single thing. The one thing we do have in common though is that I didn't have time to manage my project either -- but I didn't have a choice, having a "more than full time" job/career. Yet when I fantasized about having a GC, I realized, "who am I kidding? I'm gonna be all over this no matter who is in charge! It's my home!" I did luck out though, finding the best licensed, insured, experienced carpenter, contractor -- George -- I could have found through asking around a LOT. Amazing, really. As the "GC" I hired the electrician, plumber and floor tile guy, (all referrals) but not without consulting George, my carpenter first who had a ton of experience and knowledge of other trades who checked their costs first for me, helped me tweak and negotiate, etc. George helped me with my lighting plan, a rather extensive one, for me and then he came here with me and "supervised" to make sure it was done right and according to plan. When I couldn't get out of a work meeting and get home for my granite install, George jumped in and then fielded a major problem with the island -- cut wrong size -- fabricator error. He called the fab and quickly resolved the problem and a new island top was put in the following week. And George? He removed and demo'd old cabs, installed the new ones and moldings and trim, cleared all trash and did cleanup, made me a second pantry with new door and shelves, put in new sink and faucet, new range and micro, new dishwasher and fridge, moved a misplaced chandelier (my fault) and patched/painted ceiling hole, kicked out the sloppy painter and found me a new one, patched kitchen floor after I decided to move a radiator a month after floor had been done, added new saddles... and I'm sure I missed a few things... which came to about $2,500. I gave him an additional $500.00 which he finally did take... not just for his extra supervision of others (that he throughly enjoyed doing and did so well with a very gentle touch) and jumping over here when I needed him and answering my 1,000+ questions about everything, but for caring about this job as if it were his own home. (I also gave him a like-new circular saw that I used only once some months ago and have been too scared to use again.) I also gave him 2 referrals that have turned into good jobs for him. Really, I feel like I owe him so much more! I think there are some real GEMS out there at reasonable cost that just need to be found. Of course with your budget and plans, you need more than a lone super-dedicated carpenter, but I'm hoping you'll find a firm or KD or GC or all three that will be your "George!" Note to Lovestocook -- I found 2 great Mauviel pieces at Home Goods! More great gems at...