--- Cali Dream Construction | Design-Build General Contractor San Diego, California | Serving San Diego County and surrounding areas. Phone: (858) 434-7166 | Email: [email protected] | Website: https://maps.google.com/?cid=calidreamconstruction Licensed & Insured General Contractor (CA). Last updated: January 2026 ---

Homeowner Checklist: Planning Your Kitchen Remodeling in San Diego

> A printable, homeowner-friendly checklist to plan a kitchen remodeling in San Diego with fewer surprises.

Next step: Call or text (858) 434-7166 for a fast, detailed estimate. Or: Request a quote at How to use this checklist
  • Pre-planning checklist (scope and goals)
  • Budget checklist (numbers you can live with)
  • Design and selections checklist (avoid delays)
  • Layout sanity checks (clearances that matter)
  • Materials durability checklist (busy homes and coastal air)
  • Contractor checklist (before you sign)
  • Pre-construction checklist (before demo starts)
  • During construction checklist (weekly sanity check)
  • Final walkthrough checklist (closeout)
  • How to get an estimate (fast and accurate)
  • Who we are
  • What happens next
  • Trust & accountability
  • Related reading

    • How to use this checklist

    This checklist is meant to be practical. You can print it or copy it into a notes app and check items off. If you want the full “why” behind each item, use the related guides:

    • Scope levels + timelines:
    • Pricing + allowances:
    • Permits:
    • Hiring:

    If you’re in San Diego and want help turning this into a plan and a written proposal, Call or text (858) 434-7166 for a fast, detailed estimate.

    Pre-planning checklist (scope and goals)

    • Write a one-paragraph goal: what must improve (storage, lighting, seating, workflow, ventilation).
    • Decide your scope lane: refresh / mid-range / full reconfigure.
    • List non-negotiables (must keep flooring, must have gas range, must have island seating, etc.).
    • Identify constraints: HOA rules, parking limits, work-hour restrictions, pets/kids, upcoming travel or events.
    • Collect inspiration with a filter: label each image as ‘layout,’ ‘cabinet style,’ or ‘finish.’ Don’t mix them.
    • Measure the basics (rough room size, window/door locations) or plan for a contractor site visit.
    • Decide how long you can be without a full kitchen (and what temporary setup you can tolerate).
    Notes: If your main pain is storage and workflow, that’s a sign you’re beyond a cosmetic refresh. Don’t price a mid-range project like a refresh—it creates change orders later.

    Budget checklist (numbers you can live with)

    • Choose a target budget range and an absolute ceiling (be honest).
    • Set a contingency for genuine unknowns, especially in older homes.
    • Decide where you will not spend (example: keep layout, keep flooring, standard backsplash).
    • Decide where you will spend (example: better storage accessories, improved lighting, durable hardware).
    • Confirm how allowances will be handled and documented.
    • If financing, confirm monthly comfort and how payments align with milestones.
    • Budget for “life costs” during the remodel (takeout, temporary kitchen setup, maybe short-term storage).
    Notes: Most budget pain comes from unclear allowances. If you want a ‘clean’ budget experience, insist that allowances be realistic for the look you want.

    Design and selections checklist (avoid delays)

    • Finalize appliance choices early (range/hood especially). Appliance specs drive rough-ins.
    • Confirm ventilation approach and duct path before cabinets are finalized.
    • Confirm cabinet layout: drawer stacks, trash pull-out, pantry plan, corner solutions.
    • Choose countertop material and edge style; decide on backsplash height (standard vs full height).
    • Confirm sink size, faucet type, and whether you want filtration or instant hot (scope impacts plumbing).
    • Create a lighting plan: ambient + task + decorative; include under-cabinet lighting from the start.
    • Decide on flooring timing (before or after cabinets) based on material and transition goals.
    • Choose cabinet hardware early enough to confirm drilling patterns and lead times.
    Notes: When homeowners select appliances late, it often forces rework: outlet locations move, cabinets change, and countertop cutouts shift. Early decisions keep the plan stable.

    Layout sanity checks (clearances that matter)

    Use these quick checks to avoid building a kitchen that looks good but feels tight:

    • Walkways: Can two people pass comfortably? Is there a “pinch point” near the fridge or the island?
    • Dishwasher swing: When the dishwasher door is open, can you still move through the space?
    • Landing zones: Do you have counter space next to the fridge and cooktop for setting items down?
    • Trash and prep: Is the trash pull-out near the main prep area (not across the room)?
    • Seating: If you want island seating, confirm knee space and traffic flow behind stools.
    • Ventilation path: Does the hood have a realistic duct route, or will it rely on a long run with turns?
    Notes: You don’t need to memorize “perfect” numbers. You need to test the layout in real life. Tape the island footprint on the floor and walk it. It’s the simplest way to catch a tight design before you build it.

    Materials durability checklist (busy homes and coastal air)

    San Diego kitchens often need to handle real life: sand, kids, pets, and indoor-outdoor traffic. Choose materials that match your use.

    • Cabinet finish: Durable finishes and quality hardware are usually worth it. In coastal areas, avoid cheap plated hardware that spots or corrodes.
    • Countertops: Choose what you can maintain comfortably. Consider how you cook (hot pans, stains, daily cleanup).
    • Backsplash: Simple, cleanable layouts are often easier than highly textured tile in heavy-use kitchens.
    • Flooring: Think about water exposure at the sink, traffic from patios, and how easily the floor cleans.
    • Faucets and fixtures: Prioritize reliability and available replacement parts, not just looks.
    Notes: A durable “mid-range” kitchen often outperforms a fragile “high-end” one in daily satisfaction. If you entertain often, spend on workflow and lighting first.

    Contractor checklist (before you sign)

    • Get a written scope of work (not a one-line summary).
    • Confirm inclusions/exclusions: cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring, electrical, plumbing, demo/disposal.
    • Review allowances line-by-line and make sure they match your expectations.
    • Confirm permit responsibility and likely permit triggers for your scope.
    • Confirm who supervises the job daily and who your point of contact is.
    • Confirm jobsite protection plan: dust containment, floor protection, daily cleanup.
    • Confirm change order process: written approval before work proceeds.
    • Review payment schedule: milestone-based, not front-loaded.
    • Confirm start date assumptions and how lead times are handled (cabinets/stone/appliances).
    Notes: If you can’t explain the scope back to yourself after reading the proposal, it’s not detailed enough yet.

    Pre-construction checklist (before demo starts)

    • Set up a temporary kitchen (microwave, coffee maker, dishes, dish tub).
    • Clear counters and cabinets; pack fragile items; label boxes by zone.
    • Confirm where materials will be staged and where debris will exit.
    • Confirm parking plan for crew and deliveries (especially in tighter streets).
    • Confirm protection of adjacent rooms and HVAC return paths.
    • Confirm shutoff locations (water, gas, electrical) and who has access.
    • Confirm final selections that affect rough-ins (appliances, sink, lighting locations).
    • Confirm permit approvals and inspection schedule if applicable.
    Notes: The more you can decide before demo, the shorter your “no kitchen” window usually is.

    During construction checklist (weekly sanity check)

    • Do you know the plan for this week (what gets done and what decisions you owe)?
    • Is dust containment staying intact and floors protected?
    • Are changes being documented and approved before work proceeds?
    • Are deliveries coordinated (cabinets, counters template, appliances) with clear dates?
    • Are rough-in decisions confirmed before walls close (outlet heights, lighting placement, plumbing locations)?
    • Is the jobsite safe and reasonably tidy at end of day?
    • Are you seeing consistent supervision and communication?
    Notes: If communication goes quiet, ask for a weekly check-in. Small issues stay small when they’re discussed early.

    Final walkthrough checklist (closeout)

    • Cabinet doors/drawers aligned and operating smoothly; soft-close adjustments complete.
    • Hardware tight and consistent; no missing pieces.
    • Countertops cleanly finished; seams and cutouts acceptable; backsplash grout/caulk clean.
    • Sink and faucet installed properly; no leaks; disposal operating.
    • Outlets and lighting tested; under-cabinet lighting functioning.
    • Appliances operating and installed per manufacturer requirements.
    • Paint touch-ups complete; trim clean; transitions finished.
    • Punch list documented with dates for completion.
    • Final inspection signed off if permits were involved (keep documentation).
    Notes: A final punch list is normal. The key is that it’s written down, assigned, and scheduled.

    How to get an estimate (fast and accurate)

    If you want an estimate that prevents surprises, your contractor needs enough information to be accountable.

    Bring these to an estimate conversation:

    • Scope lane (refresh / mid-range / full reconfigure)
    • A short list of must-haves and must-avoid items
    • Any HOA rules and access constraints
    • Appliance intentions (at least range/hood direction)
    • Your timeline constraints

    Ask for:

    • A written scope
    • Allowances labeled clearly
    • A realistic schedule including lead times
    • A documented change order process

    To request an estimate from Cali Dream Construction, call/text (858) 434-7166 or request a quote at https://calidreamconstruction.com.

    Who we are

    > Who we are > Cali Dream Construction — Design-Build General Contractor in San Diego, California. > Design-build process that ties planning and construction together. > What homeowners notice about our work: > - Design-build process (planning and construction under one roof) > - Clear scope, transparent pricing, and realistic timelines > - Permit-aware planning and inspection-ready workmanship > - Clean jobsite habits and consistent communication

    We aim for a calm remodel experience: clear scope, clean habits, consistent communication.

    What happens next

    > What happens next > Call/text (858) 434-7166 or request a quote at https://calidreamconstruction.com. > Site visit + measurement + constraint review. > Scope definition and allowance discussion. > Timeline planning (ordering + construction). > Written proposal + schedule coordination.

    If you want, bring this checklist to the site visit and we’ll walk it together.

    Trust & accountability

    The checklist works best when the basics are covered:

    • Licensed & Insured General Contractor (CA).
    • Insurance and permit awareness
    • Clean jobsite habits and clear communication

    If you’re still scoping the project, go back to the hub guide next.

    Related reading

    • Main planning guide:
    • Pricing + allowances:
    • Hiring guide:
    • Neighborhood notes:
    Want a proposal built from this checklist? Call or text (858) 434-7166 for a fast, detailed estimate.

    --- Print it, use it, and keep your remodel predictable. Request a quote at La Jolla, Encinitas, North Park, Clairemont, Chula Vista. Phone: (858) 434-7166 | Website: (858) 434-7166 for a fast, detailed estimate. ---

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