Kitchen remodel 'lite'

12 years ago

After redoing the kitchen in what we "thought" would be our forever home, lo and behold, DH got a job in another state. We are buying a new home that had new cabinets and granite installed a few years ago, but they reused the rather old white appliances (which according to yesterday's home inspection are not working too well either). The former owners did a nice job on the layout, pick pretty cabinets and a lovely farm sink, and the granite is really nice too. However, to replace the appliances, we need to moderately rework the cabinets. This is particularly a problem around the fridge, where we would want to install a counterdepth fridge (which will be taller). We will also miss our GE Advantium, and would be willing to sacrifice cabinet space to install one.

So, has anyone done this kind of light remodel? Will a general contractor laugh at me because they only want big jobs?

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Comments (7)

jessicaml
12 years ago
I had one contractor take forever in calling me back to look at my small project (wall texturing), and then never call back when I asked for a bid. I ended up going with a guy who advertises that no job is too big or too small (he responded quickly, at least, but is taking longer to actually bid than I'd hoped - not sure how long is normal, though).

Bottom line: some GCs only want big jobs, others are open to, may even prefer, small jobs. You might try getting recommendations, either from your DH's new coworkers or perhaps a local hardware store.
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honorbiltkit
12 years ago
teched --

In this market, there have to be good contractors who would take on a job of your scale. The best thing would be to ask around for a contractor who might be willing to give a good quality of attention to your project.

If you do not know people in your new location, you might post an ad on your local craigslist seeking an independent contractor. In that case, make sure to check out and get references relating to similar jobs from anyone who applies.

Best of luck.
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formerlyflorantha
12 years ago
Try a local cabinet shop. They may be able to think through your needs. Our local guy uses skilled freelancers himself--installers, finishers, haulers--and would probably have a list of people to recommend.

Besides carpentry/cabinetry, what else needs to be done? No plumbing, electrical, HVAC?
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teched
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the thoughts. We will need to make new friends quickly to get recommendations. :) DH works in the city, where everyone else lives, and we will be in suburbia. According to the home inspection, it does look like I will need to be hiring an electrician and possibly a plumber for other parts of the house. Since DH and I have actually renovated several kitchens ourselves, maybe we can take out the cabinets that are in the way, have the other trades do the little bit of work in the kitchen, and have a cabinet maker put it all back together. It just occurred to me that our kitchen designer here in Virgina redesigned her brother's place in our new local (Chicago). I bet her brother could recommend help if they happen to be in the same part of the suburbs.
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Janet
12 years ago
Your real estate agent should be able to help - they usually know all the good trades people.
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User
12 years ago
Teched -
Ask around your new neighborhood.

My neighbor is a licensed GC and he really likes doing small stuff between his big projects.

It keeps his favorite crews busy during slack time. And it's over and done and he's paid in a week.
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westsider40
12 years ago
Teched, I would google, Chicago+gardenweb, to see the previous posts, and there have been quite a few-where folks asked about contractors in Chicagoland. I live in the northern burbs. It is a hike from south to north to west but sometimes they overlap. There may be willing workers in this economy.

As already mentioned, try to gc the whole house mentally first, listing the various jobs needed in different parts. good luck. Welcome. you came at an interesting time, politically, in our history.
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Kitchen remodel 'lite'

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