Another low-cost kitchen transformation
nosoccermom
7 years ago
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Replacing low-voltage recessed lighting transformer?
Comments (9)Just wanted to report back success here. I did order an EL1499ICA online, although what was shipped was an EL1499ICA-L, noted only on the mfr site as an economy version - but looked dimensionally similar to the original specs. I scheduled to have the electrician do it, less about the electrical than worrying about traversing 20' of attic and accidentally stepping through the ceiling drywall somewhere. Was very simple 10 minutes for the electrician to swap out the entire housing. Before he came, I did look at the housing and there is no way to remove the rectangular sealed box to just replace the transformer - it's basically riveted shut. He was the original electrician from the remodel - said 1 in a 100 of these fails, no good reason... I asked about what happens if one of the downstairs transformers fails, given no attic. He did confirm he could also access from the can itself via the ceiling, as brickeyee said, but it just takes more time and effort that way. I did see that removing three screws allows the can to drop out, although it did seem quite a pain to try to unscrew the old transformer from the housing blind (when your hand and screwdriver have reached into the opening). Would be a very challenging DIY attempt. Replacement housing works great, and learned a few things as a general DIY-er. Thanks, esp brickeyee, for the advice....See Moremonopoints - low voltage vs line voltage - need another opinion
Comments (1)Low voltage halogen bulbs could last longer than line voltage equivalents. I think there are more choices for low voltage. There are LED bulbs available today, but most do not produce as much light as the halogen bulbs....See Moreanother happy lowe's subway backsplash
Comments (24)Thanks everyone! I love that the total cost of tile for this project was around $60. It feels fancier than that to me. I used premixed grout and adhesive, which is more, but it really made the job easier and I figured I could justify that costing a little extra. The granite is valley white (I think it's the same or similar to white spring or white river as well....they like to make it confusing with the names!) I had my mind made up that I was going to get jet mist, but I couldn't stop coming back to this slab. Also, dh's only kitchen request for the whole remodel was that the stone be polished, not honed, and I think I personally prefer the darker granite honed and the lighter polished. Blondie, I just looked at that color, and it seems quite similar to sea salt. I tend to stick with sherwin williams, bc my mil retired from there and we get a 40% discount. katsma & my3sons - you can do it! Here's a better swatch of the paint I think we're going with (sw sea salt), and then here's the craigslist beauty that's replacing my old range....they're installing it tomorrow! woo hoo!!!...See MoreSelling hse-where to get low-cost granite counters?
Comments (13)I just went through a similar situation getting ready to sell in June. In the upper middle market in Columbus,OH you'd better have some kind of solid surface counter, or it won't sell. It's very frustrating. People don't seem to get it, that I'd gladly lower the price of the house an extra $500 or $1k over the cost of the granite and they could choose their own color. As for low cost granite, it definitely pays to shop around, and I'd look at fabricators other than the ones that you think might be lowest--Home Depot, Lowes, etc. They actually have less room to negotiate in most instances. Look for a Fab' that has low expenses, such as a warehouse location, industrial district, wrong side of town, not much of a showroom (maybe they use a wholesaler's showroom). Talk to 3 or 4. Know what you'll accept and what you won't install wise regarding seams, radiuses, rodding, etc. (we did say low cost--right?) Once you find a couple good candidates with acceptable BBB, Angie's List, and whatever else you can find, ask them to quote a moderately priced granite, two levels pricier than the one you'd settle for, also ask for the premium edging, (after you've already asked them the differences in price). Negotiate that a premium edge be thrown in. Let them know you're shopping but you like their references and BBB rating. Don't respond immediately to any quote. Tell them your rethinking your options. Calculate what the price would be of the cheaper granite with a standard pencil edge (you've talked to a number of fabs by now and you should deduct the highest differences of the granite tier prices and edges). Likewise, if you have a lot, or a few, hole or sink cuts, negotiate those as well. If your lucky enough to have a couple good candidates, before you make your choice give them one last chance to bid the deal. Usually, however, you'll know who you want to go with by this time, even if they're marginally higher than one of the others, and then you should follow your gut, because after talking to these guys 4 or 5 times, you should know who you'd want to deal with if something goes wrong or there's an issue. I saved 33% from my highest bid, and 21% from my next lowest bid, and I got a great install and fab. I know some people here don't like to negotiate much, but all you're doing is leveling the playing field. The seller always has the upper hand. Never think that you know more than the guy selling it (even if we do sometimes,lol). And don't do anything unethical either, as those things can work against you in the long run. I actually was willing to accept a premium edge, and color, if the price had been right. Every company has a different cost structure and talent pool. Matching the right skill set to the spec is important in getting the best price for the job at hand....See Morenosoccermom
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agonosoccermom
7 years agonosoccermom
7 years agonosoccermom
7 years ago
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