Posted on 04/08/2023 9:54:41 AM PDT by The Louiswu
Hello all. My wife and I are buying a house and we need to demo and remodel the kitchen. I have been looking for generic timeline samples and lists of things that need to be done and questions to ask of contractors but I'm not having much luck.
Question: Is anyone here a contractor or has experience with home kitchen remodels that might be willing to help me find relevant materials to make the job go smoother.
Thanks
Good luck with contractors...it’s a nightare in most areas. We ‘ve gone with Lowe’s on a kitchen remodel and some other projects (roof, windows, doors). It’s kind of nice having them find the contractors and deal with them. With that being said be prepared for a long project on kitchens just because the supply line is so messed up. We had a really fast response and install with the roof and windows though. The best thing about Lowe’s is the 2 years 0% interest financing. Add my military discount in and it’s a good deal.
Also, check to see if you need a local government permit. It can cost a pretty good percentage of the contractor expense if you need one and then expect your property appraisal to be updated for property taxes.
Trying to figure out what you want vs how much you can afford/want to spend is the hardest part.
Try to avoid trendy stuff that will be out of style in a few years.
https://www.thespruce.com/steps-to-a-kitchen-remodel-1822229
Know what you want before signing any contracts.
https://www.countryliving.com/remodeling-renovation/home-makeovers/g1233/kitchen-makeovers/
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/query/total-kitchen-remodel/nqrwns
These Stud Pack videos are pretty good.
https://youtu.be/IO5nn_BdawA
More YouTube advice.
https://youtu.be/SgkfFn0vB7Q
Also - nothing will be as square & level as you might think. LoL!
Sure, I have done dozens of kitchens. What specifically do you need to know?
Quick tips-
Do not remove anything until your new materials are on site.
Old plumbing causes a domino effect. - If you fix one thing something else will break.
Don’t smash the walls or cabinets like they do on stupid home improvement shows-its messy and for the camera. Carefully remove them and save them for a garage or basement.
Any questions please ask.
👍
look for local carpenter that does cabinetry.
I am getting EVERYTHING I wanted in 2 bathrooms and the kitchen (cabinets only - to be painted) for under $20K. This is much less than other contractors who wanted much more for same work. This is all custom work and a few extra cabinet builds for closet too. This is installed price.
This not what you asked for, but here are some hints on how to avoid cost overruns:
1) Minimize relocation of existing water supplies and plumbing drains in walls and floors. Same with vent pipes and roof penetrations. Many people do not realize that moving some things even a few inches can cost big bucks. Figure out a way to work to the existing penetrations and drains.
2) As above for electric conduits and boxes.
3) As above for HVAC ducts and return air grills.
4) Do not move doors if you can help it.
5) If your cabinets are good quality, keep them and refinish as desired, replace the doors or hardware.
6) Replacing worn countertops and floor covering is a good bang for the buck. Luxury vinyl tile can look great and is easy for alost anyone to install themselves.
7) Natural stone is beautiful, but it is also easy to ruin with common household cleaning products.
8) Design you layout, scope of work etc., and pick evey conceivable products you want before you start (down to what type of nails and screws, what type of paint — everything). Price fixtures and pin down what you can afford BEFORE Contractors are involved. Once they are, pride tends to cloud judgement.
9) Do not start jack until you have every detail planned, priced and agreed to.
10) Make sure every fixture, applicance, and material are available BEFORE you start wrecking the existing.
11) Many people discover ideas and opportunities after the job starts. Unless you like cost explosions and delays, get all involved to swear, in writing, that they will not demand changes. Some contractors might like the chance to make extra from the job, but most I have known personally would rather do their job once, get done on time, skip hours of haggling with their subs, not fight you over change orders, and leave their customer happy instead of feeling cheated.
12) Do not allow anyone but yourself to communicate with the general contractor, if you have one, or the GC’s subcontractors. See #11.
Make sure the installer is an excellent carpenter.
forgot to mention that the kitchen cabinets installed are less than half of what assembled cabinets were to be online. The guy also comes highly recommended (from one of the contractors we did talk to)
He feels that way because he’s correct.
That said, things can be refined, tweaked, and modified.
Well, in SOME instances.
But a 30 year old stove IS a problem for me as well as fluorescent lighting! Ugh!
You are going to get a lot of advice.
I bought a house and had to do a complete renovation.
I found a contractor that did the job for t&m ( time and materials ).
I knew up front what he charged per hour per person. He submitted time at the end of the week and I paid him.
The advantage is that when you discover something you don’t expect, you just tell them to do it, no estimates or adders.
He bought all the materials I told him to buy, and what he needed, and he handed me an itemized list with receipts at the end of the week, I gave him 10% on the materials and paid him.
It went smoothly, and the unexpected got done without hassles.
It took 6 weeks for the remodel, 1 week for the painting, and 1 week for flooring.
The Merillat brand cabinets & cupboards can stay; excellent quality choice, there, 30 years in. :)
Though they need stripping and re-staining...
I wasnt focused on appliances as much as layout and cabinets.
I would keep older appliances that are good brands working as long as possible, because they are made much better than new ones today. New appliances have smaller compressors and components that fail faster because they run more often. Computer panels and sensors fail frequently and are major points of failure.
As others have said....DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE HOMEWORK! Interview AT LEAST three contractors...even more. You will learn SOMETHING, from each. Look at things like how much they mark up things like cabinets, lighting, flooring, etc (if they’re providing/ordering).
Add in (to contract) that lien releases are to be provided as each subcontractor has completed their work. Add in that a weekly/monthly accounting of any overages will be provided. Don’t sign anything that indemnifies the contractor.
Sometimes.....Nextdoor will have reputable contractors....just check/verify who is recommending said contractor.
https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/kitchen-remodel/budgeting-for-a-kitchen-remodel
https://www.mrhandyman.com/tips-ideas/checklists-resources/kitchen-remodel-checklist/
I suggest buying a different house. Why buy something that clearly involves such an expensive lengthy process? I had a neighbor do their small kitchen and it took 9 months.
It’s been twenty years but what worked for us was to hire a kitchen designer. Yes, it cost a few grand. But it was akin to hiring an architect. The result was a good ergonomic design, a complete set of prints, and a list of materials.
Yes, it cost a few grand. But it also came with a list of local contractors used to working with her designs.
20 years later, people walking into our kitchen area still say, “Wow.”
You will be living in the space for a long time. Sometimes being frugal will cost you more years down the road.
“”We figured using one of there “preferred” contractors was giving the big box a cut somehow.””
Not just that but you will get contractors that need the store for customers, it is like finding a contractor in the penny saver, they are low-end guys that can’t build a loyal customer base or a steady successful business and are desperate for some money.
“”We actually went through local solid surface countertop company for the granite in our kitchen.......when the guy got through he said if I needed any more work to call him directly and bypass the company as it would be a considerable savings.””
He was cutting out his boss?
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