The allure of new kitchen cabinets is a lot like Pavlov’s experiments: see amazing cabinets, salivate. But there’s more than just a dream-to-fulfill at stake when you decide to go “out with the old, in with the new” on your kitchen. Here’s five things—though the list is definitely not all-inclusive—you should consider before you start your kitchen cabinetry project.

Have you thought about the way your new kitchen should look and feel?

Sometimes the excitement of new kitchen cabinets can make you forget the most important things, like what you need and what you really want. When you embark on a full kitchen remodel, you can make almost any configuration your heart desires. Think it through, measure it out, and work with a pro to make your dreams a reality.

Do custom kitchen cabinets fit into your budget?

When it comes to a kitchen makeover, cabinetry is definitely at the top of the list because it makes an immediate and lasting difference. But cabinets also account for about 50% of the cost of your kitchen remodel.

Can stock cabinet options fit your needs?

The difference between stock cabinets and custom cabinets comes with not just the quality, but the options, too. Stock options have fewer colors, fewer storage options and personalizations, and fewer configurations.

Can your current cabinets get the job done with just a little work?

If the sky isn’t the limit when it comes to your kitchen remodel budget, you may be able to keep your current cabinetry and rely on cabinet refacing or cabinet refinishing to get to the promised land of kitchen bliss. A new coat of paint or a new look without ripping out cabinets will save, time, money, and your sanity.

Are you fulfilling a “right now desire” or a “long term need”?

When it comes to satisfaction, we all want it now not later. But purchasing the cheap lookalike kitchen cabinets to get the “now” look rather than saving for or building a payment plan for the sturdy, solid frame cabinets that will last a lifetime could cost you in the long run.

Remember, the kitchen of your dreams might mean custom cabinets, but it also might mean semi-custom cabinets or stock cabinets that are factory-built and more budget-friendly. It could even mean refacing or resurfacing the cabinets you have now. All it really takes to get to the kitchen of your dreams is a good plan, a big idea, and a chat with a cabinets professional.