topic Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel in Community Chat

I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Dar321 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:27:21 GMT

Has anyone else done this?? I'm excited and scared too death! Can anyone who has been through this give me any advice?? I'm getting ready to refinance my house.....

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

CANDLEQUEEN — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:51:57 GMT

@Dar321 wrote:
Has anyone else done this?? I'm excited and scared too death! Can anyone who has been through this give me any advice?? I'm getting ready to refinance my house.....

@Dar321 You may want to post this under Home, where I think you will get many more responses!!!!!!

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Winkk — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:52:01 GMT

Oh my gosh, yes. We just finished up a complete bathroom and kitchen remodel. It was fun and hectic.

But, the kitchen looks wonderful. We picked the cabinets first, then counter tops and backsplash (I'm not sure which came first) and then floors. We took down a wall and what a mess. The contractor had plastic hanging everywhere but it still gets into the rest of the house.

Our contractor was good about connecting all the appliances before he left each day so we could cook. We just kept our fingers crossed that everything we picked out would look good together at the end; and it did. We did have two glitches but we can live with them. (FYI: we went over budget but it was worth it.)

Good luck.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Kitlynn — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 15:52:23 GMT

Just know right up front it will take longer than you think and more money than you think. Now that being said just enjoy the adventure and follow your heart. Pick things that really make you happy and that you love. Don't let anyone else influence your decisions. Have a place set up with a microwave and coffee pot along with a cooler so that you can have coffee, tea or whatever hot drinks you want. A microwave is a game changer because you will get tired of eating out all the time. Use paper plates and utensils so you don't have to worry about trying to wash dishes. Enjoy the process and it is really fun to see the changes as they happen.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

ItsME — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:00:58 GMT

How exciting! Just take your time in picking the materials and finishes. Make sure that it's what you love (and not someone else's taste)! Also, don't settle for cheaper materials if you don't have to (within limits, of course!)

I replaced a shower about 4 years ago. I was trying to save money, and didn't initially order the tile I wanted because it was more expensive. I woke up in a sweat one night after ordering the less expensive tile. I realized that for the few hundred dollar difference, I should get the one I loved. I was willing to pay the penalty for cancelling the wrong tile, which would have added to the cost, but I got lucky.... only the floor and decorative tile were a special order, and I was able to use both. I got the more expensive tile for the walls. It was the best decision! I still LOVE my shower!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SSyeuKV0W0)

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Graysonsmom — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:31:45 GMT

We just remodeled our kitchen last fall. Expect it to take longer and be more expensive than the original quote. :0/ And make sure you get exactly what you want - don't settle for something just to get it done. All in all I was happy with the changes I made but also padded my budget for changes/upgrades. Hopefully you will as thrilled as I am.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Irish1210 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 16:38:27 GMT

Lucky you : ) Take your time which will help you be sure you select materials you LOVE!!! Stock up on take-out menus and enjoy the ride : )

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

drizzellla — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:05:58 GMT

When we bought our house, we had the kitchen gutted. And we hired a WONDERFUL contractor to remodel the kitchen. We signed the contract. He came in and within 5 days he had all his work done. Then on the sixth day, he subcontracted the guy to come in and do the floor.

He did a excellent job and it wasn't a penny over the contract.

My advise - get a good contractor.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

151949 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:06:02 GMT

We once had a new kitchen , 2 bathrooms , roof, all new siding and a new deck put on & crown molding and new doors and trims throughout the house at the same time by the same contractor. Needless to say it was a hectic summer.We had gotten an inheritance and decided to update our 20+ year old house.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

homedecor1 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:28:55 GMT

@Dar321

Congrats!!! Just finishing phase 2 of my home remodel. Everything has been "upside down" but oh well so worth it!!!

Advice I'd give you:

1) Pick a licensed, insured & bonded contractor.

2) Pick a contractor that doesn't require $$$ up front (other than deposit).

3) Ask for referrals and call or see the contractors work.

4) Don't settle for what you want, ie, say you want quartz but $$$ and you pick another material -- you may be sorry. During our remodel sometimes I was "shocked" at the price of my choices😳. I insisted to my spouse -- I'd never be happy with something different because of price. I stuck to my guns...I got what I wanted (by saving $ on something else).

5) Don't be surprised the estimate they give may not be the final price. Ours only ran over by $1,600 because of issues they couldn't see! and I upgraded a few things.

Have fun shopping!!!!

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Regal Bee — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:50:52 GMT

A kitchen remodel is tough in my opinion as it is the heart of the home. Be prepared to be patient and don't settle for what you do not want.

We did our own remodel and gutted our entire kitchen including the ceiling and floor....I could look straight into our attic for five weeks. We did everything except installing the quartz countertops. My husband had the experience and he did a fabulous job.

I will admit it was hard for me as I am a super neat person but it was WORTH all the time, effort and money in the long run.

Hope you love yours.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

embgm — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 17:55:22 GMT

We gutted our kitchen two years ago. We worked with a designer and the contracter. We kept our appliances because they were new except for the fridge. We decided not to replace the fridge at that moment due to finances. The designer made sure our contracter left room above our fridge leaving a gap. Our present fridge was not as high as the new ones on the market and the designer said you will have more fridges to pick from if you leave more room.Well we have our new fridge and she was correct!! Our new fridge is taller than our old. My mom just had to have two inches taken off the bottom of her cabinet in order to fit the fridge she purchased. Em

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

mousiegirl — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:25:59 GMT

@Dar321 wrote:
Has anyone else done this?? I'm excited and scared too death! Can anyone who has been through this give me any advice?? I'm getting ready to refinance my house.....

@Dar321 Be prepared financially for issues that come up along the way, many did during the extension and remodeling of my kitchen and adjoining laundry room.

I was without the kitchen for six months, so cooked meals in the rec room, looked at it as an adventure, lol.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Eileen in Virginia — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 19:57:24 GMT

Have you ever heard of Tim the Builder? He's a syndicated columnist in many newspapers who has a wealth of experience in the construction industry (he testifies as an expert witness). He also writes a weekly newsletter that contains alot of advice. In addition, there are links to previous "how-to" columns and you can search his website for specific topics. Quite a few of them include a video. You can get checklists on a variety of topics at a reasonable cost (less than $10, I think) or you can ask him to call you to discuss something for a reasonable cost. I e-mailed him a picture of something I had a question about and he answered my question for free within a day or so. It sounds like you've already got your contractor, but you could use Tim's website as an additional resource during your renovation. I don't think I can put the link in here, but you can probably just google him. Good luck with your renovation!

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Dar321 — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 22:50:16 GMT

Thanks for all the advice and pointers everyone! I want quartz countertops, but I have a red brick fireplace, that takes up a whole wall, and I don't know how to co ordinate it with a countertop......decisions decisions!

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Twins Mom — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:19:58 GMT

Getting ready to jump off that bridge myself. I know that I need to start looking at magazines and on line. Appreciate your posts and hints.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

AuntG — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:27:52 GMT

A compete gutting takes time and money. Don't be swayed by trends unless you Iove them. You're the one living there, not some decorator. We did floors, fixtures, counters, backsplash and appliances. That wasn't a complete remodel by any means, but it sure helped. It wasn't too expensive either.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

Mominohio — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:43:58 GMT

I want to do a kitchen remodel, but it just isn't in the finances for quite some time.

I will offer a bit of a different opinion than others here.

First, take your time. Don't be rushed, and consider EVERYTHING. Don't assume just because you have always dreamed of (would die for) some certain thing (like granite countertops) that once you are choosing and building the room, that other (sometimes translated as lesser) things won't suffice.

Many people want to invest more than the home is worth investing in. If you have unlimited funds, and money is no object, definitely do what you love. But if living in the real world, look at how long you will be in the home, how much use and how hard of use it will get. Are the materials and things you want going to hold up for the use you intend to give it? Think about the reality of getting your money back should you sell.

Ask yourself questions like would all the extra money for top dollar counter tops really be better invested in more customized cabinets that allow you to access things easier, or extra cabinets, or a better flooring that will take more abuse, or enlarging a window etc.

Ask yourself, if you care about resale sometime in the future, is what you are looking at trendy or 'too unique' and won't appeal to buyers. Are you putting a Ferrari kitchen in a Chevy home? Be honest with yourself about where you are in your life, how much use/joy you will get, how much money you really want to and should be investing in the project, and can you get just as much use/joy doing something different than you have 'dreamed' of.

Mostly, take your time, look at everything, and ask lots of questions.

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

libbyannE — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 01:00:33 GMT

We've done several kitchens--and homes. Dreaming of the changes, working with the architect, and then seeing it materialize is very satisfying. Our architect has always talked about the "two-and-a-half times" factor, meaning that remodelings generally take 2.5 times longer and cost 2.5 times more than you estimate. true. You can't be sure what surprises (old plumbing issues, mold, structural or electrical problems) your contractor may find along the way. But it's worth it. Just be sure you read up on trends so you spend your money wisely. Have fun!

Re: I'm getting a Kitchen Remodel

ccassaday — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 01:21:36 GMT

Take a look at a lot of pictures on Pinterest and online at kitchens. See if there are any you love.