I want to remodel my kitchen. Make it more funtional and more up-to-date. I have a few ideas as to what I want but after that not a clue. Any suggestions on where the best place to start is? Architect, Home Depot/Lowes, General Contractor? I really just want to redo a few things, add more cabinets and add and replace appliances, new countertops. I don't need walls removed and the like. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

The best to place to start is hire a designer to plan the kitchen for you. Ask for plan view as well as 4 (north, south, east, west) elevations. Look at magazines and get ideas of what style, etc. you like. Put all your tearsheets, ideas, etc. in a folder to give to the designer as well. Once you have the plans, you can shop these around to cabinet companies to get quotes (at least 3). If you are planning any structural changes, you may want to hire a general contractor to arrange all the trade work for you. Remember, a kitchen renovation involves 8-10 trades (carpentry, drywall, plumbing, electrical, painting, gas,tiling, etc. so a general contactor is worth his weight in gold. Good luck!

The best place to start is at your kitchen table. Think about the tasks you will be preforming in your kitchen. Paying bills, cooking etc. then think of the main areas in a kitchen. Store, prep, cook & Serve and the clean up area. Then go to Lowe's. they have a free service, complete with computers to show yu what you can do in your kitchen as well as the prices of materials and supplies to do the job.Take the measurement of you kitchen with you. That way a complete print out can be done. We work with this plan a lot and it works out great.