We needed a whole kitchen remodel, as the kitchen was the basic original builder "crap" from 20 years ago. Nothing really "wrong" with it, but just not modern at all - formica counters, pressed board cupboards, vinyl floors. We knew what we wanted, but couldn't afford it UNTIL we discovered an on-line auctions through our local newspaper and bid on (and won) coupons for flooring, backsplash tile and granite counters gift certificates at half the price. Now, we are just waiting for the next auction in the summer and will purchase hardwood flooring for the rest of the house. So, price was the only factor stopping us.

We haven't taken the plunge yet (almost six years living here.) Final triggering factor (I can see it on the horizon) will be that I will no longer want to live with ugly surfaces and thoughtless design decisions in the heart of our home. I feel like, we should fix it, or move, because life is short and we deserve to feel good when we come home.

Thorns in side: 6' 11" high ceiling in most of the kitchen, requiring major construction to fix, along with partial wall removal. Huge quantities of site-built cabinets that would cost a lot to replace, or will need to be re-jiggered when we remove the original 60's range and ovens. Again, a big complicated project. No weekend fixes here!

Joint decision: I'm going to reach the end of my rope before DH, but if I work hard enough to develop a reasonable plan of attack, he'll be on the team (being a terrific person.)

We moved into our tract house in 1984 when my oldest was 6 months old. Two more by 1988. Daughter was involved in a very expensive sport (figure skating--don't do it!) I was an at home mom for 12 years then went back part time for 8 years (which basically paid for skating)so no $$ to do much with the house. Went full time when daughter (#2) started college. Paid for 3 kids' college and FINALLY have some $$ to remodel. I've lived with builder grade junk for 27 years! I "updated" the kitchen 14 years ago....painted the dark oak cabinets white, "new" white formica counters (lovely!) off the shelf at HD, new white appliances and Pergo floor. Well, after 14 years cabinets can't be wiped clean anymore and floor is splitting at seams. I couldnt stand it anymore! We started with hall bath 3 years ago, last year had master bath redone...we painted all the bedrooms and got new bedding, etc.. This year it is the main floor starting with kitchen....we are in week 3 of remodel. Next is new furniture for other rooms, hardwood in LR/DR (bye blue carpet!)update fireplace, etc...Down the road...new deck(it's 27 years old too) and landscaping in the back and spruce up basement-paint and new carpet at the very least. Don't want debt, so are paying as we go along, but sometimes I wish we had taken out a loan/home eq and done it sooner. I waited a long time for all of this and DH take is "she gets whatever she wants." Hardest decision for me by far was counter...I liked quartz and granite equally and my shopping every stone yard and tile shop in the area before deciding held up the the project at least 2 months. So I would say do all your shopping/researching for cabs, counters, appliances in advance of signing any contract, at least enough to know what's out there and what appeals to you..then let a designer/contractor help with final decisions.

Doggroomer---do fill us in on online auctions..how do they work? How would someone find them in their area? Thanks!

We're mid-planning, so I'll answer from that perspective.

We've put off remodeling for over four years, since we purchased knowing that the kitchen stretched the definition of 'habitable'. First delay was defining the scope of our initial renovation to exclude the ground-floor kitchen and bath so we could keep that part of the house liveable while the reno went on. Second delay was financial and emotional recovery from the first renovation, which left us exhausted, angry and bitter about the competence and honesty of many members of the construction industry. Third delay was a serious illness in my family during which I needed to travel at a moment's notice and could not contemplate coming home to a house in chaos.

Both Spouse and I are ready now, so it's very much been a joint decision to move forward and get it done already.

Thorn in my side thus far has been my DH's inability to stick with a decision. He's a litigator by trade, and I think in his mind there's always another argument to be made, another idea to explore. What looks like "decision making" to me appears to be "limiting possibilities" to him. VERY frustrating!

We got though enough crises and held the appliances together (except the micro that got replaced with a countertop up in the built-in cubby) long enough that Sharp came out with the micro drawer and we were able to put together a solution for where to move the micro. DH wanted to replace the cabinets but I didn't want to spend that kind of money. The micro drawer and opening up counter space started the revolution. We wound up with a plan that moved the cooktop out of the island, added a prep sink, gave me a baking area and much better prep space -- not to mention a built-in fridge and 2 DWs. DH got another bonus and I was sold. I really didn't have much choice. One oven had died, the second had cracked glass and was pretty temperamental, the tiled in DW was not doing much for us, the flat disc burners on the cooktop were horrible to cook on and were rusting through on the sides. The whole things was in danger of imploding by the time we finally took replace the tile counters and backsplash to a total gut. But on the bright side -- the camping stove didn't seem so bad! LOL

We bought this house almost 3 yrs ago at a great price, since we knew it had potential. We intended to remodel it very shortly after. However, we had our 2nd kid 2 weeks after moving in, so I'd say we were not in any mental/emotional state to go through a remodel. And I am glad...what I would have done then is not what we are doing now. Having lived in the house, we were better able to prioritize and get a "feel" for our 140 yrs old home.

There were also a lot of projects to tackle and we weren't sure it would be in the budget, and we didn't want to over-remodel for the neighborhood. But we found a fantastic contractor...he and his son do all the work themselves...no subcontractors to deal with.... at $20K-$30K less than the other bids. Lots of great recommendations from DH's co-workers and from the company, itself, who has used him. Projects are almost done and everything looks great...our super picky, conservative village code enforcer (who thought he might require us to hire an architect) has been happy so far. We ended up enclosing a back porch to become eat-in area for kitchen and a separate office, gut the kitchen and raise the ceiling height from less than 7' to a full 8' (glorious!)...something that had affected it's sale-ability. Gutting the existing bath upstairs, and putting in a master bathroom and reconfiguring some closets, making a true "master suite" out of 3 adjoining rooms that were pretty much wasted space before.

Also, we were wooed by the great interest rates ...we refi'd the whole house for a much lower rate and were able finance the remodel by the added value of the house after the renovation (while also retaining some equity). But, after 4 houses and 4 cities and many mistakes, we finally chose a great street, in a great part of our area...sorta like one of the worst houses on the block scenario.

Anyway, sorry for the length. That's my story. :)

15 years with an unattractive low end kitchen in our spec house. The house was great except for the kitchen and bathrooms. The builder either ran out of money, or just cheaped out or maybe she actually thought it was nice.
We avoided doing the kitchen because we thought it would cost way too much money. Then we visited a friend in London who had the most gorgeous Ikea kitchen and we went from there. We didn't get Ikea because we defiantly can not assemble and install and the certified Ikea installer was 100 miles away. So we were in the kitchen mode and went from there. A little unexpected money, and off we went. We spent double what the Ikea would have cost, but it's all ok. We are happy.