Why don't you start planning, simply to give your mind a break from your mom care (Sorry you're all going through this), convince your DH you haven't dismissed the idea, and be a little more ready in March?

Can you compromise with him about the bonus? You need a kitchen, but demo can be done closer to March. I would consider purchasing a stove right now with the plan that it would fit into your new kitchen. You'd also be in a much better place knowing your available resources closer to your bonus month.

I have to admit I'm biased. Due to an electrical house fire, I'm wiggy about electrical things even winking at me funny.

Is him wanting to start demoing right now his way of coping?

I would look for a stand-in range that fits the space. Try scratch 'n dent, Craig's List or just a cheap creature to do the trick and make your life easier now.

Given your family and financial commitments I wouldn't take on any actual kitchen remodeling activity aside from planning.

The money spent on getting a "temporary" range that works reliably w/o any hassles is money well spent - even if you end up re-selling it when you're ready to do a full reno.

But don't try to figure out now which range you might want in your future dream (or semi-dream) kitchen. Select what will work for your situation today (space, available funds, etc.)

An alternative would be to get a higher-end portable induction unit to use now w/o having to go to the basement every time you want to heat up water for a cup of tea. At the same time this would allow you to see how you like induction w/o committing to it in a big way.

HTH

L.

Just buy a new range to slide in NOW. You can resell it on craigslist if it doesn't fit into your 2014 plans. I wouldn't do a reno based on a projected windfall, and I wouldn't suffer a range that doesn't work properly in the meantime. Things could change drastically between now and then.

Craigslist something $200 for now. And start planning for a year from now. You'll better prepared, and you won't be "settling" for something that may not work in your future plans. You won't even feel bad about donating a $200 range to HforH if you can't resell it later.

Arghghghghghghhh!!!!! I had several graphs typed up then the ipad at them!!

I was going to say what Liriodendron did. Buy an inexpensive used or scratch/dent unit now to replace your range. Using it the way it is would drive me nuts and me jittery about the safety issues.

I experienced a parental health crisis (cancer and the surgery and radiation following it) during my reno. I wouldn't have tried to deal with both situations at once if it could have been avoided, as both are so stressful on their own.

If you wait, you can work on planning the reno in the meantime. Then, when the time comes, you'll have your floor plan, appliances, flooring, hardware, etc choices made and ready to go. Your reno will go more smoothly because of it. I'm sorry you're having to go through it, but you're a good a good daughter for doing it. You knew that though. :)

On a personal note, I lost my father last year when yet another form of cancer struck. I was glad to have the reno mostly done so that I could devote all my time to him in what turned out to be too few days.

This post was edited by breezygirl on Sun, Jan 27, 13 at 15:03

I agree on a less expensive stove for now that does the job and starting the planning on a remodel to happen later. A long planning stage is a good thing. My mom died just about a year ago now. In the couple of years leading up to that, especially in the last year, I was up and down to her place a lot. She lived an hour away and there were times I left in the middle of the night and stayed for days because I was needed. The year since has also been hard, both dealing with her loss and needing to deal with her property and belongings. I didn't even have to do the executor thing, one of my brothers did that.

We did, however, do a kitchen remodel in the 8 months preceding her passing. We spent months thinking about what we'd like to do vs. what would actually work in this space. It was almost all DIY, so we only had our own schedules to work out vs. having a crew in that needed our attention at times I needed to be elsewhere or was totally weirded out by Mom things (we have a problem family member who caused no end of upset). The planning and physical labor were actually very helpful under the circumstances. Something productive was taking shape at a time that was in all ways difficult. So I would recommend that you do it, but don't get pushed by having to do something about the stove right this minute. Replace it with something that will do the job and take your time with the planning. A good plan makes for a much more enjoyable experience from the first day of demo on.

I was going to say exactly what most are saying on here. You can pick up a perfectly funtional stove on craigslist for a $200 that will work fine well into your remodel.

Thank you for the kind words, thoughts, and advice. Breezygirl & suzannesl, my sympathies for your losses.

Just writing this post has helped me process my decision. Putting down in words my up & down to the basement routine to turn my stove on & off made me see that it's not an acceptable option. Strange how you can get used to something until you view it through someone else's eyes.

DH knows how much time I spend in the kitchen and is thinking of my best interests in wanting to have it be the best working space we can make it. I tend to resist spending on myself, so I think that's why he's pushing to get this done.

If the range hadn't failed us I would never be considering a remodel. While our kitchen is 12 yrs. old it's not an eyesore and not in dire need of an update. We'd always meant to replace the MW with an efficient hood vent, but otherwise, things are okay.

I will continue to mull this over and look at options for a temporary stove, as many suggested above. Thanks for your responses.

Get the induction range. It'll be great before, during, and after a future remodel.

Upgrade the hood later.

Don't worry about kitchen stuff right now. Just replace the dang stove with a good one.