You can't start anything by hiring a contractor on the fly without written, diagrammed, design plans. Unless you want to give him a blank check.

Design comes first. Then build. A design retainer comes first, for that work to happen. Expect to spend 5-10% of the project costs for that. It's the anti tire kicking fee.

Hire a Kitchen Designer. And have a realistic renovation budget. Not a fake TV one. 50-90K for your project. 25-40K for cabinets.

Sorry I could not get more pics into my main post, but hopefully you get a sense that this is truly the ugliest kitchen.

Have you read through the entire New to the Kitchen Forum FAQ thread? That's a great place to start.

Thank you all. Yes I know I will need an architect for the wall, but I wasn't sure I needed a kitchen designer as well. I met with an architect who does both so perhaps I should just hire her. Good to know. I know I can do this for well under $90k! The cabinet quote I received from the kitchen showroom was for 10k, but I'm pretty sure I can get cabinets for even cheaper with Ikea. So is the consensus that I start with a kitchen designer? That isn't something I can do on my own?

It's certainly something you can start to do on your own, with the help of the Kitchen forum -- many of us here have done that. But to do that, you need to read through the link I posted before,

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500754/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first#23482868

to understand how it's done here in the forum. It's also worthwhile reading through the archives to see how others have done it.

Then, once you've done that, post pictures with more detailed measurements. Let us know how many people live in the house, how many use (or will use, if you have small children) the kitchen, what sort of cooking you do (do you just reheat takeout or love to bake or cook three meals from scratch every day), what are your sort of storage needs, what have you found difficult/awkward since you started using the kitchen last summer, etc.

Also, what do you envision for the breakfast room space? How do you use your dining room? Do you like the dining room and living room set-ups as they are currently in your house, and do they work with your needs? Do you need a mudroom? Would it be better to turn the breakfast room into a mudroom area, keeping the wall that separates the space from the kitchen, and perhaps instead remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room?

But whatever you, do NOT buy appliances next week, or you will have to plan around the appliances, rather than your needs.

And do NOT skimp on the planning phase. Consider the time it takes as a great investment in a great kitchen that works for you and looks beautiful.

mollyri Molly, if you can afford it, go with the Kitchen Designer, but to be frank with you I do not see why you can't do this yourself.

Get couple of different people to give you estimates, shop around ask for references/pictures if possible and be INVOLVED/supervise the job and you'll be ok. Word of advice do not pay up front and get things in writing :-) best of luck and have FUN.

“50-90K for your project. 25-40K for cabinets”

I do not agree with that given what the OP has posted. Though I do agree 100% with the rest of a Green Designs’ post. Start with a design first, then get quotes on that design. I’d also add to spend a lot of time on this forum before doing anything. You will learn a lot just from reading stuff here. The more you learn, the better prepared you will be, and the better your kitchen will turn out.

Depending on your location (the Coasts are going to be pricier than e.g. Iowa), and your choices, expect to spend $35k total with conservative choices for counters, appliances, and cabinets. If you cannot afford that, wait until you can. I don’t think you’ll be happy in that kitchen doing things piecemeal.

“Pick up appliances (aren't there good appliance sales next weekend?)? “

No. There’s always another sale. You have decisions to make on the type of appliances you want - e.g., range vs cooktop + wall ovens, 36” fridge or a different width, counter MW or drawer MW, etc. These choices will also affect the size sink you get; or, the size sink you want will affect which appliances you get. Figure these out with thorough aforethought. But definitely do not buy the appliances now. Buy them a month or two before installation. Bad things happen to appliances when sitting around for months not installed. Also the appliances warrantlies start upon purchase, not installation. You are so far from installation that if you bought “next weekend”, you’d have almost no warranty left when they’re finally installed.

Also, I am certain you will change your mind about what appliances you want as you become more knowledgeable. Don’t buy them now or even in the near future.

This is so helpful. Thank you so much.

It's just so nice to see someone not doing a white kitchen! And not being afraid to show it either! Well done! And well done for realizing that you didn't know what you didn't know too.