Remodeling My Kitchen
- Thread starter Melissa
- Start date
Yakoo752
USN
basic remodel? not moving walls or significant design change? how old is it currently?
I've done 2 in the last 6 years. Both extensive.
Things I wouldn't do again
custom cabinets
arched entryways
things I wish I did
identify what is going to ding the fridge/stove/microwave and MOVE it. Right now if you open the microwave too far it hits the corner of a cabinet... nice ding has formed.
Connected appliances aren't worth the added cost
I really like having designed in a location for an AIO touchscreen computer.
I've done 2 in the last 6 years. Both extensive.
Things I wouldn't do again
custom cabinets
arched entryways
things I wish I did
identify what is going to ding the fridge/stove/microwave and MOVE it. Right now if you open the microwave too far it hits the corner of a cabinet... nice ding has formed.
Connected appliances aren't worth the added cost
I really like having designed in a location for an AIO touchscreen computer.
HappyHighwayman
Warning: Do Not Engage
I'd love to do that I need more storage, but don't have the cash. And there's nothing wrong with current setup 
I want double ovens!
I want double ovens!
Akira-R
Well-known member
If you are doing cabinets, make sure you inventory and cleanup all your pots/pans/stuff that is in your current cabinets. Usually ~half isn't needed.
If you are doing an island, measure your big appliances like your mixer/blender/food processor. Make sure they will fit height and depth wise in the storage underneath. I have to leave those out now because i lack the cabinet depth
If you are doing an island, measure your big appliances like your mixer/blender/food processor. Make sure they will fit height and depth wise in the storage underneath. I have to leave those out now because i lack the cabinet depth
easter bunny
Amateur Hour
Don't do birdseye maple cabinets for a house you're going to lose in a divorce. That's my advice! :laughing
Consider appliances before you decide on cabinet locations. If I decide to stay in my house a few more years I'm going to redo the kitchen with commercial appliances. The added cost isn't that much and adds to the resale. You can never have too many outlets. If you have an island consider plumbing a prep sink into it. Remember the magic triangle of layout - fridge, sink, stove.
Consider appliances before you decide on cabinet locations. If I decide to stay in my house a few more years I'm going to redo the kitchen with commercial appliances. The added cost isn't that much and adds to the resale. You can never have too many outlets. If you have an island consider plumbing a prep sink into it. Remember the magic triangle of layout - fridge, sink, stove.
Akira-R
Well-known member
I had to look this up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_work_triangle
If i didn't have solid concrete foundations, i might have done the island better with a sink
Kurosaki
Akai Suisei - 赤い彗星
Have contingency for things that come up you didn't think about upfront or just weren't obvious. Not just hidden things that need to be repaired you didn't know about, maybe general upgrades that would go along with the picture you have in your head.
Also, don't be a jerk to the contractor and ask them to do other small stuff and assume it's free "because you're already in there anyway". Don't think you're that type but it happened often enough to me.
I'm no pro. Just worked for my uncle for awhile who is.
Also, don't be a jerk to the contractor and ask them to do other small stuff and assume it's free "because you're already in there anyway". Don't think you're that type but it happened often enough to me.
I'm no pro. Just worked for my uncle for awhile who is.
Yakoo752
USN
you will likely have unexpected structural repairs, we had a bit of water damage near the sink and fridge (too be expected)
electrical will likely have to be brought up to code, beyond the kitchen. Ours required running all new lines from the box to the kitchen on our 40s craftsman.
If you don't have to live in the home, that takes a lot of stressor off. I didn't have the luxury. It sucked.
Yakoo752
USN
yes and no. Some commercial equipment requires commercial service (electric / gas) avoid those that do.
You want architectural advice or do you want to hear from the clients' side of things? If you want the former, ping me via PM (or click on the link in my sig to get my work email.) I can give you a little info given what you've provided thus far. More from you = more quantity and accuracy of info from me. What you're talking about doing sounds pretty basic (I do this stuff all day long) but the process can seem daunting, expensive and invasive if this is your first renovation. And just know, if you ask 10 different people, you're going to get 10 different answers! That's because these renovations are very specific to the home and client, there's a huge difference between high-end and low-end, and just about any schmoe can build out a kitchen. :cool
Last remodel we did required a new box.
Delays at the end of the job are common when the contractor is out bidding for or starting other bigger jobs. Agree upon an incentive to get it done in a timely fashion.
Melissa
Peace,Love and Harmony
GAJ
Well-known member
We did a major kitchen remodel more than 10 years ago; expect it to take longer than you expect.
Only thing we'd change is having more butcher block as counters; we only had it put to the right side of the stove and we should have put more down but, obviously, never near the sink area.
One large sink is better than a split sink IMHO.
Swapped out the fluorescent under cabinet lighting which was standard back then to LED on a dimmer; highly recommended.
Don't get a wood floor like we did; looks great but gets beaten up.
We will replace with tile.
Having a separate faucet at the sink for filtered drinking water works great.
Oh, and cost.
Be prepared to be shocked.