help starting a kitchen remodel

Hi, everyone. Just found you in this thread.

I am planning to double my kitchen space ... bust through three walls, knock out stairs, replace a door, expand onto a porch and redo the small closet 1/2 bath.

I have the design, sketched it all myself, but don't know a thing about how to start looking for contractors and such. And, what is a reasonable budget for remodeling ... not resurfacing?

I'll post some existing pictures to give a "starting point."
thanks,
peggy