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Re: Tell us your kitchen remodeling stories and advice. Posted by Randy Thatcher [Email] (#22) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Randy Thatcher) on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:06:00 In Reply to: Tell us your kitchen remodeling stories and advice., adl6009 [Profile/Gallery] , Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:42:51 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I did my condo kitchen a couple of years ago. It was 95% DIY - the contractors I had were the granite slab guys. I did the backsplash and "bar" tiles myself. Here's what I learned:
Shop mom n' pop places for your materials. I found the big box stores to have mediocre quality at high prices. I found some mom/pops to have high quality at ridiculous prices. I got good quality at a GREAT price on my cabinets, granite, and appliances. I did the website for my cabinet folks (see link, my kitchen is the first), and I have sent some friends to them. A co-worker sent me to a place for my appliances and I worked a package deal on stove/fridge/microwave/dishwasher. Appliances were mid-range.
This was an excuse for me to buy a lot of nice tools, and I know that using the right tool for the job gets it done RIGHT and quickly.
I have never installed cabinets before, but it's really not that hard. Look online for directions. Important thing is get them level and fasten them together properly at the fronts for gap/flush fitting.
I put $14k into my condo (1050 sq ft) including laminate flooring, paint, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, all light fixtures, appliances, all outlets and switches. I kept the kitchen tile, bathroom tub and tub tile, and 1 vanity. All other stuff was updated. This was a LOT of sweat equity. 16 hour days for a few weeks, then nights weekends for couple months. I had the luxury of not moving my stuff in for 6 weeks. That said, people tell me they figure I got a $25-30k+ kitchen, which is nice to hear.
Randy
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