Even though kitchen remodeling is the most popular home improvement project, it can also be among the most expensive. However by spending wisely, kitchen remodeling can be a great home investment.

Whether it's a major overhaul or a simple makeover, putting a fresh face on a kitchen is one of the best investments that most can expect a fairly healthy return on.

"The kitchen is the center part of your home," said Angie Hicks of Angie's List. "You spend a lot of time as a family gathering in the kitchen so it's a great place for consumers to invest dollars to make that space better fit their needs and still get a good return on your investment. The average kitchen remodel, if you plan on living in your house for a few years, gets you about an 85 percent return on your investment. And when you think about a remodel job, you can do a job for even a few thousand dollars by freshening up some paint, even door handles on the cabinets, all the way up to several thousand dollars if you are thinking about a full remodel."

However, when re-doing a kitchen, its important to not outdo the neighbors which could backfire the entire project.

"A good rule of thumb for thinking about investing in your kitchen is not to spend 20 percent of the value of your home on your remodel. If your house is worth $200,000, your kitchen remodel shouldn't exceed $40,000," said Hicks. "It's also important to keep in mind what your neighbors have, what your neighborhood has to offer so that you don't end up pricing your house out of the neighborhood. If none of your neighbors have granite countertops you might not want to install those in yours."

A full kitchen remodel is a huge undertaking and one that should be well thought out.

"When it comes to a kitchen remodel, you're probably going to end up hiring a general contractor. You're going to need to find one that listens well to you, has your ideas in mind and is able to follow your rules," said Hicks. "What are the rules you are going to set for your family? What areas of the house are they going to have access to while they are doing the remodel? Are they going to set up a temporary kitchen for you to use during the remodel? If you end up having to eat out every meal during the remodel that can add a lot of cost to your project."

Proper planning now means planning great family meals down the road.

Most kitchen remodels only cost about $5,000, however, costs can climb much higher depending on size and the extent of the project.

Additional Information:
#1 Return on Investment: The Kitchen
-Whether it's a major overhaul or a simple makeover, putting a fresh face on your kitchen is your best investment and you can expect an 85 percent return.

-You can remodel your kitchen for around $5000 but costs can climb much higher depending on size and whether you're gutting the old and replacing everything or doing something smaller.

-To maximize your return, don't spend more than 20 percent of the value of your home on your kitchen remodel. So if your home is worth $200,000, the most you likely want to spend on a kitchen remodel is $40,000.

-Don't go overboard for your neighborhood or your budget. If you can't afford double

Popular kitchen remodeling trends:
- The biggest trend right now isn't a product: it's getting more value for less money. Consumers are investing in their homes, but they're more willing to negotiate now and shop for bargains.

- One of the ways to do this is to buy less expensive cabinets - or have your existing cabinets refaced - and instead focus on the trim and hardware, like door handles, because that's where the eyes are going to go anyway. A fresh coat of paint is also another less expensive way to spruce up a kitchen.

- Energy efficient appliances will start paying you back immediately, and you're going to be using these devices every day. So invest well in these items.
• Brushed nickel and stainless are popular, and quartz countertops are as popular these days as granite.

Hiring a remodeling contractor for your kitchen:
- Kitchen remodels are among the most complicated projects out there because one part of the job depends on other parts of the job being done first and you could have a handful of different tradespeople responsible for each job. Chances are, your contractor has other jobs going and he'll be trying to get the most out of his crew so you want to streamline your project so you can get the specialists you need when you need them.

- Unless you can devote most of your time to the project, you may want to hire a general contractor to coordinate the electrician, the plumber and the others who will work on cabinets and countertops, tiling, flooring, appliances, lighting and painting.

- Do your homework to learn what your local licensing requirements are and don't settle for anyone who doesn't carry a valid license. They need to be insured and bonded, as well. If they aren't happy to show you proof of these things, find another contractor.

- If you are doing a total kitchen remodel, ask the contractor if/where they will set up a temporary kitchen for you and your family to use while the project is underway. Eating out for every meal gets old and expensive fast. And so does doing your dishes in the bathtub.• Few homeowners are really prepared for the stress a weeks-long project has on their daily life. So after you've decided on a licensed, insured and bonded contractor, talk to him or her about these things. Set ground rules for when the crew can arrive, where materials will and things like that.