The Year of the Remodeling

Yesterday we made a big decision: we're going to remodel our kitchen.  To be more specific we've hired someone to remodel it for us.  I can hardly hammer a nail let alone transform a room.  We signed a contract with a gentleman with considerable experience and solid references.  His bid was reasonable so we decided not to get a second or third estimate.  We wrote a check for 50% of the cost and we're on our way.  Here's the plan:

• Refacing all cabinets--new doors and fixtures, resurfacing the rest. We're going with mission style--our kitchen table is mission as are our bedroom dressers--and mission holds up aesthetically and we like it.
• All new counter top.  We opted for porcelain tiles rather than granite, Corian, or quartz.  There is some really attractive porcelain available and it is $5,000 cheaper, very durable, and if you crack something all you have to replace is a tile or two, not the whole slab.
• Creating an enclave for a stainless steel "all freezer/all refrigerator" side by side with a total of 38 Cu. Ft, 19 in each.
• Custom build a pantry 24"Dx78"Wx84"H; this will more than make up for the small pantry and cupboard space we'll lose because of the new refrigerator/freezer.
• New kitchen floor, most likely tile.

We've debated for a year or two over when and how to do the remodel.  Our primary reasoning was that within the next 15 - 20 years we will most likely have to sell our home if not sooner.  Investing in a kitchen redo pays back more than any other remodeling upon resale.  And finally, we wanted to enjoy the new kitchen upgrades now, not later or never.  Next year we'll probably do the bathrooms since they also give a good return.

Hope to post photos as we move ahead with this project.