How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel

or not, the story is in the process of being told.

Today is the day before the kitchen remodel is scheduled to begin.  I haven't heard from my contractor regarding arrival time but I hope to get an answer tonight.  I've spent a lot of time leading up to this day doing a ton of work.  What started out in my mind to be a one stop shop for a contractor to handle it all turned into me doing most of it myself.  I don't know what I was thinking especially considering how I am that I thought I could just turn this over to someone else and have it happen.  After doing my research and learning more than I cared to learn in the beginning.  I've purchased what I could, made decisions that the contractor will take care of, I emptied the rooms, packing up everything in the kitchen, family room, dining room, hall, entry and laundry room, I set up a kitchen in the garage for possible semi food prep and cooking and now I wait.  At some point tomorrow it will get underway.  The large furniture will be moved out of the rooms and I assume demo will begin.  Wish me luck.  Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything too important.

I've shopped and purchased my

• appliances
• plumbing supplies (sink 9/18, garbage disposal 9/16)
• granite (this took me over 10 visits to the granite shop)
• door handle (9/16)

After getting several bids or looking around I chose

• contractor
• cabinet maker, the design, door type and stain
• windows model and type
• flooring
• front door

I still need to do the following:

• Finalize my tile choice and purchase what is needed
• Choose the glass for some of the cabinet doors
• Choose and purchase knobs
• Discuss the lighting situation (can lights 5" or 6" and should their be 4" cans over the sink)
• Choose and purchase kitchen/family room paint
• Choose and purchase office paint

Phase 2 and beyond:

• Round two have contractor install office closet door
• Get office painted.
• Purchase new screen door (32 1/4 x 74" inside dim; 35 11/16" x 77 6/16" outside dimensions; 1 7/8" frame)Purchase:  kitchen rugs (sink and runner), family room rug, couch & love seat, coffee table, end table, lamps, sofa table and rubber trim for shower door.