Year after year, survey after survey, we learn the same thing: kitchens are the most popular room to remodel. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to be happy with the outcome.

Going into a kitchen remodel without a plan is going to result in disaster. You may end up with a kitchen design that has no flow. You may go way over budget and have to make a lot of unfortunate sacrifices.

To keep you from making grave kitchen remodel mistakes, we’ve put together a kitchen remodel checklist.

Read on and follow the steps to ensure that your modern kitchen remodel isn’t a flop.

Start With Ideas and a Budget

First, get inspired. Start looking at kitchen remodel ideas to get a sense of both classic and trendy choices other people have made. Pay close attention not only to aesthetics but also practical components–like how many appliances or fixtures to fit into a kitchen of your size.

Then, set a budget. Keep in mind that remodels tend to come with unexpected costs caused by things like material shortages, labor delays, and design errors. Keep your must-haves separate from your want-to-haves, because you may have to cut some things from the design.

Do Some Research

Start researching early. Look for things like:

• local contractors in your area
• the latest appliances, how well they’re rated, how they work, and what they cost
• where to source materials like countertops and kitchen cabinets (learn more here)

The best way to make smart choices and stay within your budget is to do your research ahead of time. Don’t wait until the pressure is on to decide how you’re going to spend your money.

Establish a Layout

It’s time to get out the measuring tape. How big is your kitchen? What kind of flow does it already have? Are you going to be knocking things down and starting fresh or working within the current layout?

There’s no point in redoing your kitchen if it isn’t going to feel functional after the fact. Think about what some designers call the triangle of activity: the fridge, the stove, and the sink. When designing the layout, the goal is to have a smooth flow from one point of the triangle to the other, without overcrowding them.

Hire Your Contractors

Although this is the last step on our checklist, it doesn’t need to be the last thing you do. If you intend to work with contractors to come up with a design, start looking to hire someone early. If you have a timeline in mind and not a whole lot of wiggle room, make sure that you’re hiring contractors a few months before you want to break ground.

Use the Kitchen Remodel Checklist to Avoid Disaster

Kitchen remodels are a homeowner favorite but there is a ton of room for error. Use our kitchen remodel checklist to ensure smooth sailing as you come up with and execute your new kitchen design.

Looking for more tips to improve everything from your kitchen to your backyard? Take a look around for tips and trends.