YONKERS, NY -- Remodeling a kitchen can be costly and there's no guarantee that consumers will be completely satisfied with the end results.  The August issue of Consumer Reports features tips, inside secrets and 224 product Ratings of countertops, appliances, flooring and more that can help consumers create the kitchen of their dreams and save them money in the process.  

"Especially in today's market, a kitchen remodel needn't mean a $50,000 floor-to-ceiling makeover," said Bob Markovich, home editor at Consumer Reports.  Our latest annual kitchen remodeling guide includes seven ways to give your kitchen a whole new look for a tenth of the cost, along with how to save thousands on the appliances and other materials that go into a wholesale remodel. 
  
The report features tips and common mistakes to avoid based on results from a recent Consumer Reports National Research Center's survey of 8,000 readers who recently remodeled their kitchen.  Although most of the magazine's readers were highly satisfied with their new kitchens, almost half had some regrets about the products or pros they chose.  Before getting started on a kitchen remodeling project, Consumer Reports offers some key advice to help consumers save money and avoid aggravation:

DO plan before you pay.  About a fifth of the survey respondents wished they either did more research or chose different materials. Keep a running file of appliance picks, paint chips, countertop samples, so it is easy to piece together the perfect kitchen.

DON'T be seduced by pretty products.  Design magazines are great for ideas and inspiration, but real life isn't often so neat and clean.  For example, concrete countertops, which have enjoyed a certain cachet, aren't ideal for hectic households -- they can crack or chip and require regular sealing.

DO go green and save money.  Choosing eco-friendly products at the start will cut utility and water bills for their entire lifetime.  According to Consumer Reports' survey, 84 percent of readers opted for energy-efficient appliances, 43 percent picked water-efficient appliances, and 38 percent used fluorescent lights.  Consumers can also find greener flooring that passed Consumer Reports'  tough tests with flying colors.
 
DON'T fall for green claims.  Except for the yellow Energy Guide label on certain appliances, there are no federal regulations or definitions of green products. For example, Richlite calls its paper-based countertops "environmentally sustainable," but they contain nonrenewable materials.

DO run a background check.  Forty-one percent of respondents who hired a contractor reported problems, including shoddy installation (13%), late starts (13.5%), and sloppy work (11%).  Do more than ask friends or neighbors for recommendations.  Before hiring a specific contractor, talk to past customers about work quality and promptness.

DON'T always go with the lowest bidder when choosing a contractor. Consumer Reports latest survey data revealed that readers who chose a cheaper contractor reported that while they didn't necessarily go over budget, their workmanship wasn't as good and they had to spend more to bring the work up to snuff after the job was completed.

DO design it yourself.  Sixty-five percent of readers worked within a room's existing dimensions which helped them avoid some expensive design fees.  Nearly half of all respondents who hired tradespeople handled the major design themselves, most replaced appliances.  If walls will be knocked down or the floor plan drastically rearranged, local codes may require an architect's or designer's sign-off.

DON'T buy an extended warranty.  For most products including appliances, Consumer Reports continues to find that extended warranties are a poor investment and don't save consumers money in the long run.

DO say no to pro appliances.  Consumer Reports tests continue to show that faux-pro style ranges perform well and have stainless-steel styling for much less than the $4,000-plus price tags of some appliances.  Nearly half of Consumer Reports' online subscribers who own the high-end appliances, reported repairs, which tend to be costly.

DON'T pay more for built-ins.  Save thousands and gain usable capacity in the bargain by choosing a cabinet-depth refrigerator instead.  Most begin at well under $2,500.

DO build in a cushion.  One in five homeowners who worked with contractors paid 10 percent more than estimated and 36 percent of those projects took two weeks longer than anticipated.  Consumer Reports suggests setting aside 10 to 15 percent of the budget for unexpected costs.

DON'T change plans.  Some project add-ons are inevitable, but sticking to the original plan will help keep the budget and schedule in check.

The full 28-page kitchen remodeling package is available in the August 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, available July 1, wherever magazines are sold.   It also features expert buying advice and 224 Ratings of countertops, flooring, cabinets, refrigerators, cooking appliances, dishwashers, and appliance stores.  The full reports are available online at www.ConsumerReports.org.