A picture will speak a thousand words--post pics. You will get more specific input.

What is even more important than the materials you use, is the materials/quality of workmanship of the comps in your area. Also, you will need to factor in age as well as condition of your home as it relates to other comps in your neighborhood. I would do a thorough investigation of all comps in my area and price range on Zillow, Trulia etc. before I would drop a dime on my home. You could possibly be anticipating improvements you may not even have to make.

I would also cross post this in the home buying and selling message board:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/realestate/

I wouldn't do it all at once, it won't get done all at once anyway. You have plenty of time.

Start with the smaller projects. If you are working with a contractor who hasn't proven himself, and he doesn't work for you, then you find out on a small project not all at once.

They can work one project at a time. Some contractors like to tear up a whole house at once, so then they are guaranteed the entire job. It might be in your own best interest to contract one complete project at a time. lets say you contract for projects a, b, c, d, e, and f. The contractor might pull out walls and counters in a, b, and c (maybe not have to do walls on e and f) so he goes around the house doing a little here a little there and nothing ever seems to be complete and you start losing track of your budget. But if he does a, then b, then c, then d -probably take as much time, the house will be messy for the same amount of time, etc, and you can decide better what and when you want the next contract (phase) of the reno to be signed off.

These shouldn't all be big messy projects, except the master bath. Start with the one that is the most important for you. If I was working with someone new (doesn't matter if he's a friend of a friend or a brother in law of my sister in law that I had over for Thanks Giving that one time, If he has never done work for me he is new and untested) I would start with the powder room, it would give me a good idea of the level of work that could be done, and if the PR is a tiny bit wonky, it won't matter as much as other projects. Then I would go with the master bathe, because that will probably cost the most and it might not be where I would want to cut corners. The other projects are done in what ever order, writing a new contract for each and every individual project.

Mmmbeeer - I will post pictures when I'm deciding on the decorative choices - this post is just a how to organize and carry out the project. I mean I can post pictures but I don't think it will make much difference to the advice I'm looking for.

I do appreciate the advice about researching the value of my home so I don't over improve. I have been doing this. And I'll cross post this tomorrow in the home buying and selling message board - thanks - that's a great idea.

Lilylore - that's a great idea - the powder room is clearly the smallest room and least likely to cause disruption - and if I like the contractor I can continue. I'm glad you pointed out that some contractors like to tear up the whole house at one time. In reading what you wrote - I think I would feel more comfortable doing one room at a time rather than living with chaos everywhere.

Wow, I didn't expect such great responses so quickly. thank you. This is exactly the info I need to help me thing through this.

You'll get a better deal for all of the stone fabrication by doing it all at once. Most fabricators can deal with unhooking and hooking up sinks. You won't need any real plumbing changes for that. That's the biggest chunk of your projects, and won't be that disruptive to do.

The tile and tub changes will be disruptive and messier, but a small contractor should be able to handle all of that for you. If it really needs doing. Don't spend money on redoing something because you're bored with it.

Changes like you're talking about rarely pay for themselves in increased home value unless what exists is really gross. I wouldn't do the mirror project at all. Or the tub, if it's functional. And I'd examine the state of the kitchen fully before setting what's there under stone.

It's a mistake I see a lot of people making. Many buyers would rather pick their own taste in updates to a 20 year old house. And 20 year old cabinetry is likely to be a target for a gut remodel. Stone counters on top of 20 year old cabinets will be more of a liability than an asset to that.

How large is your half bath? That would be a good place to start. Will you share with us just a photo of that space? It may be we can see it and help you save some money with some ideas. I have redone many parts of previous homes and if done right and on a more frugal budget you can get back or more than what you put into it.

If you did you entire house at once, that could be a terrible disruption to your lives. You need at least one bathroom to use.