A friend of mine was lucky enough to move into a beautiful Victorian home from the 1800s. For the first year, she and her family did not change a thing. None of us noticed but when she finally had a Christmas party there, she let it slip that nothing changed because she was too terrified to change anything. She had a lot of renovation ideas but no guts.

"It's an old house," she said. "What if something goes wrong?"

As it happens, one of the other guests at the party was a building contractor. He was able to give her a lot of tips and a lot of confidence to finally take that first step. Here's what he told her:

First, figure out what you want. Do you need more space or are the plumbing and electrical systems obsolete? Those pretty Victorian kitchens can be real energy hogs in terms of heating and cooling bills. Is there enough storage space? Is the flooring in good shape? Does your kitchen meet the needs of your family?

Second, try to come up with a plan of what you expect in the finished kitchen's look. Don't just do things here and there without a plan or else it'll never look pulled together. Do you want hardwood flooring? Do you need more cabinets? Do you want a dining area or an island? What would your dream be for this space? Try to draw up a plan of what you are shooting for and keep it handy.

Third, find out the costs for each part of the project then tackle the individual parts as you have the time and money. You may be surprised: remodeling an older kitchen can actually save you money in terms of water and heating bills. Call contractors and visit home improvement stores to determine the costs. Also find out how much time each part of the project should take.

Fourth, try to come up with money-saving alternatives. Laminate can be less expensive and as attractive as hard-wood floors. Cabinets bought from the showroom rather than custom-made can be much less expensive. There are lots of money-saving alternatives available.

Fifth, if you need structural changes, hire a professional who can work within your budget. There are many professionals who specialize in older homes. They may be able figure out how to add or remove a wall, create a skylight or install a window seat. These relatively simple fixes that don't cost a lot and can make a world of difference.

Thanks to the contractor, my friend was finally able to find the courage to make the changes her kitchen needed. Now her family lives in a real showplace. She loves to show off her beautiful, comfortable kitchen, that blends old-fashioned comfort with modern amenities. These are ideas any homeowner can follow.