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DIY kitchen island??

5 years ago

Does anyone have experience DIY’ing a kitchen island? I’m hoping for one that houses a sink and dishwasher?

Featured Answer

THOR, Son of ODIN

5 years ago

No one can answer with a definite answer because we don't know your DIY abilities.

Consider what is involved:

DIY KItchen Island

http://build-basic.com/build-a-diy-kitchen-island-2/

Add plumbing and electrical work.

Permits and inspections are nothing to fear. At least in my city the inspector is very helpful with suggestions.

Comments (13)

Hillside House
5 years ago
Ours has a prep sink, but not a dishwasher. What's your question?
emilyam819
5 years ago
It’ll need electrical in it.
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live_wire_oak
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Do you have the room and still be able to maintain a 48" aisle around all 4 sides? Do you have the ability to run plumbing in the basement? Do you know how to plumb an island loop vent? Do you have the skills to run 2 electrical circuits to the island? A shared circuit containing a switched outlet for the disposal and an always live DW for the other? Then you need the required 20 amp small appliance electrical outlets on the sides.

Then youll need some cabinets. Which will need to be permanently fastened to the subfloor properly. All level, plumb, and coplanar in all 6 directions.

If you're handy enough to do all of that, you wouldn't be posting on a forum about "can you".

Hire a Kitchen Designer who will have the product and labor connections needed to actually happen. But only if you have the room. Measuring is what gets you started.
jdesign_gw
5 years ago
Like LWO said this is not a DIY weekend project. Besides the vauge request it's a bit like the saying "if you have to ask you probably can't afford it" in this case if you have to ask you probably need someone to help with this. Done correctly it takes a number of different trades.
Andi
Original Author
5 years ago
My question was going to be- with all the it would entail to have both the sink and dishwasher, would do it again? Or would hire it out.
Andi
Original Author
5 years ago
Oak- to answer your question about space- I have the space. My kitchen designer has already measured and is the one who suggested the island. Thank you for your obvious knowledgeable input!!
Andi
Original Author
5 years ago
And as to whether or not I can “afford it”- people can afford what they want to “afford”, it’s all a matter of priorities. and I’ll always look into way I can save money.
GreenDesigns
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Then pay the Kitchen Designer the 10-20K to do the project if you can afford it and it fits. This is out of your lane and shouldn’t be DIYed.
jdesign_gw
5 years ago
Obviously you didn't get my comment. I said like the saying goes... in this case I said if you have to ask here with something this involved you probably won't want to do this yourself. That said with more details people here would help. including me. But a vague question not going to get the response you're looking for.
live_wire_oak
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If it fits, that's great! But that is a strong NO on attempting to DIY this. It's far more complex than you think. It also requires permits and inspections. Let the pros handle the work.
sushipup1
5 years ago
DIY for what you describe involves (assuming there's an empty space to start with) electrical work, plumbing work, including drain and vent, cabinetry and countertops. Sure, it's possible to DIY. If you have all the skills necessary, or lots of time and some good instructional books and videos. And the tools.
GreenDesigns
5 years ago
The very phrasing of some questions, not to mention the question itself, betrays the poster’s lack of skill level. It’s one thing to say, “I own a log of tools, and have installed my own faucets and hung my own light fixtures. How much more involved is it to do the drains and electrical for an island that I’m hoping to create?” That person has a chance. This one doesn’t. Not until many more years of doing smaller projects builds up to the bigger project.

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