"Amy L" wrote in message
...
I am looking to remodel both my kitchen and bathroom. For both of these
rooms we anticipate some major renovations. The bathroom will be more
complicated as we intend to make the room larger and moving the tub/toilet
to different locations than their current locations. For this type of
remodeling where do you usually start? Is this something that a remodeling
company would help design or is this something that would need to be
started with an architect?

Amy


Since it dosen't sound like you want to go the DIY route. I would start with
companies listed specifically as kitchen and bathroom remodeling
contractors. Second I would go to kitchen and bath showrooms and ask for
refferals or maybe they have a contractor bulletinboard with cards tacked on
it. Also check the ads in the local design magazine (see waiting room at
the showroom).

Don't be surprised if they want a fee to measure your space as part of
quoting. Some may charge some may not.

If you wanted to do anything to make it easier for them to quote, you might
start by figuring out where the plumbing is inside the walls. Aside from
moving walls and the obvious expense of the finish materials (which can vary
wildly in $), replumbing will be the most technical and expensive single
part of the project so knowing what you have before you open the wall could
make the estimate more relaible.

It is also very likely that you will need to upgrade your breaker box if you
cannot get AFCI breakers for it or if you end up needing more slots than you
currently have. If you have a modern home with 200A then you are probably
OK there.