@Coleen Lacy I agree with most of what homechef said except that it sounds like you have don't have the money to install a kitchen, cheap or otherwise. If you can't or would rather not sell as is, consider Habitat for Humanity. They are there to help people like you. I'm not talking about their Restore, but the organization itself. They can provide materials and volunteer labor if they believe you qualify. Your local church is another possible resource. Or you could ask your contractor about jobs he's on and whether someone is throwing away useful cabinets, counters and sink. It doen't have to be a fully fitted kitchen to function (our grandparents are testement to that). Just a sink, stove, fridge, table and a few cabinets. Facebook marketplace is another resource. I've given away lots a great, high end items I didn't have a use for...bathroom sink, entry door lock assembly, rugs, wet bar, bev fridge, even moving boxes and HVAC filters. I don't like to discard anything because I kknow there are folks out there who can use free stuff. There are many resources available to people in need. You just need to know where to look. Good luck.

Yes, there are used kitchens all over FB Marketplace. Cheap. But we don't know if OP has any DIY skills, tools, is physically capable or has a way to haul a find. (Sellers are often willing to deliver stuff locally, though.)

From the photos it looks like the nasty stuff is mostly done. I'm not seeing any insulation though. Add wallboard and then the fun part starts. Fun in that almost every step you take makes a visible difference.

Any legal remedies, if even successful, are way off in the future. OP needs a kitchen now.

If you literally don't have any cash or credit to even begin to address this problem, then you may have to sell. But in the grand scheme, that's a terrible financial decision because the discount you'll have to give for not having a kitchen is likely far more than the cost of a simple cheap kitchen. On top of that, you'll have to pay all the closing fees (6% realtor fees, plus recordation taxes). So in that scenario, you might end up with some cash on hand - but your overall financial situation is much worse off than if you just held on to the house and lived there.

I have a LOT of sympathy with this horrible saga that has happened to you. However, i don't have a lot of sympathy with you thinking you are somehow above RTA cabinets. I've lived in and renovated a lot of $1.5m+ homes in desirable cities with Ikea cabinets. And sold those homes to a lot of people with household incomes presumably ten times yours. These are good cabinets and very good solutions to your problem.

Ultimately, if you are this insanely short on cash, it sounds very much like you need to take on a roommate. Rent out a room or the basement. Or unfortunately get a second job. But barring selling at a loss, you need a source of income.

Finally, if the case is as abjectly clear cut as you say it is, I would attempt to litigate it yourself.

This story sucks, but an inexpensive kitchen can be put in for $15k (ikea, used appliances - or you probably still have appliances from your old kitchen, etc). Home ownership absolutely requires needing many thousands of dollars on hand. What happens when the furnace needs to be replaced for $8000? Or the roof needs replacing for $15k? These are things that come up with home ownership unfortunately.

H202: do you work for IKEA? Also to state that I am above RTA is completely untrue as I never made such a statement - the statement was that RTA is not cheap either. I already connected with them and have a quote. I also have a quote from IKEA, Home Depot and Cabinets to GO for that matter.....Trust me I have researched all that you mentioned and it is not that easy as you make things out to be as it related to Habitat of Hummanity (based on income) and my 76 yr old mother could not even get assistance with them. So perhaps that works differently in your stated, but not here where I am and not all states are created equal and that includes services in which they may or may not provide. How many houses did you sell with mold behind the cabinets in the kitchen, and how many did you remodel with mold behind the cabinets......the point here is, this was a complete cover up by the seller. regardless of homeownership. This is not a roof needing reshingled, or furnace replacement this was a mold/leak cover up. I have home warranty as a home owner, but it does not cover mold remediation, and netiher does my homeowners ins, as it was pre-existing prior to my ownership and was COVERED UP. Had the seller disclosed and been forth coming with all facts, I would of never purchased the house.

Did you have a home inspection? I hope so, because that is another option for you. Mold is one big issue.

The real estate home inspector does have a duty to perform his job up to industry standards. A failure to do so results in liability, both for missing major problems and minor ones as well.

Back to fixing or selling. How much equity might you have in the property? Home values have risen in most of the country (COVID) and you may have put down a bigger down payment than we know. If I missed this suggestion, sorry for repeating it, but have you gone to your lender? Banks don't want houses. Banks want you to keep yours and continue to pay your mortgage. If there is any wiggle room at all, there maybe something the bank can do for you. For instance, an interest only home equity might work for you.

As to your not having credit, you must, and you have a credit rating as well. If it is high enough, that bodes well for you, as well.

People on this forum understand and sympathize that you were mislead, these same people are attempting to help you get out of your bad situation, please view their suggestions as they were intended.

We all understand mold was concealed, but now you own it, staying right there in your anger isn't helping YOU. .

I’m sorry you are going through this. I do wonder why you think the sellers knew there was mold? If your inspector didn’t note it during your home inspection how can you be sure that the sellers knew it was there?

OP im sorry you are dealing with all this! Maybe contact a local News station? Maybe them or someone can put you in touch with a church that could help. Our church has helped many families rebuild after the Harvey flood and the big freeze this past winter.

Maybe look on FB market place too. There are so many ppl in my area renovating thier homes i see kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities listed all the time. Ive even seen the granit countertops listed too!

Just a comment and my experience with plumbing problems. My insurance agent told me long ago for plumbing damage to be covered my insurance needed to have a separate rider that would cover the damage. He was correct. This area had a 13 inch overnight rain. Rain came in the windows which would have only been covered by flood insurance. Because the sewer backed up it was covered under the rider. The insurance company paid the full amount of the rider $5K but not a penny more for the damage. If I ever have the basement refinished I will be asking for a much larger rider.

I took a closer look at the one picture that you provided. I think that you could easily do a very attractive, functional kitchen on a $15,000 budget. The folks in the Kitchen Forum will help. The electrical and plumbing are done. There are no walls to move. Those are two big expenses completed. It's ready for insulation and drywall.

I quote you when you said: "The cost to repair is not really affordable for me, well not quality cabinets Off the shelf cabinets are cheap and hate to use them." This is why you left the impression with us that you thought that anything other than a custom cabinet was acceptable to you. I urge you to do a little research on RTA cabinets. I think that you will be surprised at their quality and durability.

Ikea is not necessarily the most reasonable priced quality RTA cabinet, just the best known. I got my RTA cabinets from Scherr's and they were totally custom. But, there are less expensive, off the shelf semi-custom versions available. Search the forums for RTA cabinets and a lot of responses will pop up. Also, search for frameless cabinets.

I loved my RTA cabinets. I found them to be superior in a number of ways. I really prefer a frameless cabinet after the experience. They are so space efficient. I put them together myself. Once they were assembled, I hired a carpenter to come in and install them. I acted as my own general contractor. That way, I controlled the costs and pace of work. You can do this. You can live with no finished flooring, plywood countertop and no backsplash for a long time.

I've owned a home with a significant mold problem, myself. While it didn't bother me, it seriously affected my husband. I'm more of a dust and grass allergy type. I get it. In any case, you have gotten the tear out done, sprayed bleach to kill it, and you have stopped the source leak. The mold thing is done. Now, starts the kitchen thing.

Consider taking out a loan and getting a second mortgage for home improvement. If you have enough equity in the home, you can get a home equity line of credit. An alternative is 0% credit card, do the renovation and sell the house. Then, sell the house and pay if off.

You can pay an attorney $5,000 as a deposit on the case. Or, you could insulate, drywall and order the base cabinets for that $5,000. You get to choose how to spend your money and effort.

If you insist on going to court, your best bet is Small Claims Court where you can represent yourself. The amount of damages will be limited depending on the state, but the judge is used to laymen representing themselves and will give you a lot of leeway in your presentation. You will need evidence. You could be countersued for wasting their time. There is that risk.

Myself, I would move forward with the positive effort of completing the kitchen as finances allow.

I have a suggestion: take the seller to small claims court. Build your "portfolio" with all information you have about the kitchen, mold, etc...include photos. You do not need a lawyer and filing fees are minimal.

Go to the Clerk's department of your local District Court. Fill out the form and pay the fee. The filing clerk will tell you what will and could happen. Unfortunately, AZ only allows up to $3500.00 in remuneration. But, you win and get $3500.00.

You find a kitchen firm that will let you finance your kitchen and you apply the $3500.00 as a downpayment.

I know nothing about this business, but including the name because it does finance.

Design My Kitchen, AZ has now partnered with Comerica Bank to help you finance your remodel!

judianna even if the OP would win their case then they would have to collect adding frustration on top of frustration. Better to just do what is needed to be done and get on with their lives.

maifleur is correct - you might win in court, collecting is another matter.

When you have a monetary award in your favor, there are many ways to collect. Bank accounts can be attached, I believe wages can be attached, liens can be filed on property (real or personal), etc. You can get a court order for payment and I think non-payment can lead to an arrest warrant.

This isn't a Judge Judy discussion. Some of the comments are very misinformed.

Talk to a lawyer.

@Gilligan Gehrity - think you need to stay in the correct lane. No one is playing victim here, I posted what is going on with my situation as I am allowed to do so. There really is no place for rudeness in the world, there is already is enough of it!

No matter what the situation here I, don’t deserve to be humiliated. Certainly, I have taken responsibility for any mistakes I have made, but I don’t have to accept that making a mistake means I should be denigrated by anyone.

As far as a lawyer, it really is not relevant, but what is relevant is.....

In world where you could be anything...have some compassion for others and be kind!

You have two totally separate issues here. The first is whether you can recover from the seller. The second is what you are going to do about your house. These are separate issues because the recovery against the seller, if it even happened, is a many months long route. But you need action on your kitchen now. So you need to separate these two decisions from each other and treat them as separate matters. Thats what everyone on this forum is advising you to do.

If you decide to pursue seller, I would ask the lawyer the following questions:

1. If you win, what is the likely recovery? The cost of the remediation PLUS the new kitchen? or just the remediation cost? I would guess only the latter. And if the former, how do they measure the cost? It wont be the cost of the kitchen you want, but will probably be the cost of a bare bones kitchen.

2. What amount of your recovery goes to the lawyer?

3. what is the likely path to recovery? liens, garnishment etc.

4. What is the likely time frame? for the trial? for recovery?

5. What happens if you win but cant recover? how is the lawyer paid? or if recovery is over time, does the lawyer get paid first?

6. what happens if you lose? how does the lawyer get paid? what if the recovery is only small?

7. what are your chances of ultimately winning and walking away with enough money that the process is worth your time and effort?

Ultimately my guess is that even if you win at court, you would likely only get some ”reasonable” cost of remediation fees, and that would be maybe $5000. And the lawyer would take at least half to justify her time. Remember lawyers arent charities. They do this to pay the bills. They are also trying to pay for their own home repairs. Also, if the deal is that they get the first X dollars you win, they are more incentivized to take your case than you should be. Point is that i would take everything a lawyer says with a grain of salt.

Finally, you really need to emotionally separate these two things- your kitchen reno from the potential recovery. Everytime someone on this forum has recommended something, your kneejerk response is to moan about how you were so screwed by seller. Youve got to stop and accept that this happened and that you need to come up with a solution that has nothing to do with seller.

I am curious though, and I am not questioning your account of this, but just how do you know that the seller knew of the problem prior to the sale? Do you have evidence that they had some work done about it? Was it visible (sounds like not, since your home inspector - you did have an inspection, right? - didn't see it)? Did someone tell you that they knew - and would that source swear to it?

I had to chuckle. Before I retired I kept some of the records for judgements that were awarded to the USDA. During the ten years I did that there were very few payments from anyone other than one person who actually paid off their judgement. If the Federal Government could not collect a judgement??? I also think of all the child support judgements that go unpaid.

"During the ten years I did that there were very few payments from anyone other than one person who actually paid off their judgement. If the Federal Government could not collect a judgement???"

As is true for most of us, there are many things in the world that happen beyond our own personal experiences. Assuming that your or my personal experience set a rule or an expectation for others about the realm of possibilities isn't reasonable. "This isn't what I know or what happened to me so it's not so" isn't a useful perspective.

A general experience isn't a "rule" but its a good guide to plan ones future.

The repeated advice to move on to repair one's house looks like good advice. But again its not a "rule"

Are they willing to go on record to confirm your claim?…

Coleen Lacy, I can fully understand your anger. You got screwed and have every right to be pissed about it.

And understand that the anger is part of the process of dealing with this awful situation. Not too much unlike the grieving process, you are in the anger/ depressed stage. I do sincerely hope that venting here is helping you to start to move past that stage.

There are sunnier days ahead. Or, since you are in AZ, maybe I should use another expression because I can imagine that the extreme heat in your part of the world is not helping your mood!

When I look at that picture you posted, unburdened with all the emotion that got you to where you are now, I see a clean slate of a room. All of the mucking, clean up & hauling away is done. That kitchen is at the 'Let the games begin!' moment. What is needed now is for your outlook to catch up with the kitchen. With no kitchen, you likely aren't eating a good balanced diet. You might benefit, too, from some meds. Anti-depressants can be a life changer. I'm not trying to make a diagnosis--only a suggestion to consider that might help you to move past where you are now.

You can have a functioning kitchen for very little $. Not the kitchen of your dreams, but one will that serve and greatly improve your quality of life. And one that can easily be improved on as time & $ permit. I only wish that I lived close by because I would love to try to help.

What general area in AZ are you located, BTW? I do get to AZ a couple of X per year.

Less than $260 on Amazon. Add a stove, refrigerator, another work surface, some bookshelves--used finds from MktPlace, garage sales, CraigsList, etc. For flooring, you could use a roll of that precut vinyl from the big boxes. Shopping carefully in the used market you could throw together a decent 'camp kitchen' for around/ under $1K.

Your assumption is that the previous owners knew this, but I suspect there's nothing that will prove that claim. Not everyone is made ill by mold - you didn't notice it on your tours pre-purchase, if you had it inspected, the inspector didn't notice it, either. You seriously underestimate the cluelessness of many people who reason that unless the building is actually falling down, nothing is wrong.

It's possible to sell - houses here are being snapped up with no inspections. The first challenge might be that without a working kitchen, there may not be a valid certificate of occupancy. The buyer would not be able to live there until that was complete, and having to live elsewhere until that happens will affect the price you get.

The second is that in a seller's market, you, with your admittedly limited resources, will be competing with the well-heeled folks with their big-city salaries moving to work remotely from the 'burbs.

@ci_lantro where did you get a medical degree to make a diagnosis of depression from a post of my kitchen? If you want to support Pharma, that;s on you, stop pushing drugs on others.

@ci_lantro the topic was my project not antidepressants or your claim to help by making a comment about antidepressants. You cant stay in the correct lane.

"A general experience isn't a "rule" but its a good guide to plan ones future."

Of course. But some see it that way. With the attitude - I must have seen everything there is to see. If it isn't something I know or experienced myself, or if you're suggesting something that's other that what I think I experienced myself, then it can't be what you're saying. You're wrong.

Sad to say, but what those in the know told you won't help if you decide to sue in small claims, unless they will swear to a statement or be a witness. You need documented proof, like that, that the seller knew about the leak and failed to disclose (I don't recall, did you say that there is a mandatory disclosure law in your state? Did the seller fill out a disclosure form?)

If you sell this home, with unfinished kitchen due to these issues (at a lesser price), can you afford a new purchase?

That's basically what you have to ask yourself.

I don't know the market in your area.

Colleen…I am curious …have you received any advice here that helps?

I'm done. I've offered what I consider to be constructive help given in the sincere spirit of helpfulness. So have others. Moving on to threads where I can be helpful.

Thanks!

Ikea cabinets. They are inexpensive but the quality is good enough that they will probably outlast you staying in the house.

I would start with just putting in the insulation. It is something easy to do, and maybe you could do yourself. It is also very inexpensive. You dont have a huge kitchen, so the next thing, I would do, is get sheetrock for the bottom part of the walls. Get that taped and mudded, and primed and painted. Also inexpensive. Your utility bills will thank you for that, by being lower. Your house itself will be more comfortable to live in, during both summer and winter. The next step would be to put down the flooring. You could install do it yourself type vinyl planking, or the do it yourself laminate type tile, or have someone install sheet vinyl. Then, start buying the lowers, little by little, until you have them all. That way, you could get some formica type counters and then get a sink installed. You can also put in your stove. If a dishwasher is in your plans, that could also be installed, and of course put your frig back in the kitchen. At least then, you have a working kitchen. Eventually, add the upper cabinets, or shelves, or whatever you prefer, when money permits.

@cat_ky - first I have to reinforce some studs in the wall, as the picture does not show the termite damage. A couple studs have been eaten from the bottom plate on concreate about 12" up (exterior wall) in some areas and higher up on studs in other areas. Then need to close off a hole to the outside (due to shrinkage of wood), then insulation. Had the house treated for sub terrain termites. I will also be taking a stab at the drywall repairs myself. Picked out floor at floor and decor already.....

Spider Woman, did you just change your name to Spider Woman from Coleen Lacy?

I am assuming she did. Sounds like her.

Good for you, those are all things, you can do. You may have to ask someone to help you with the sheetrock, because its heavy, but taping and mudding is pretty easy to figure out. Good luck and please let us know how it all works out for you.

I installed a luxury vinyl floor in my family room by myself - very easy, but it is important to not rush - the click/lock types need to be attached just so. Watch several videos (youtube) to get familiar with the process (I bet you already knew that!). And be sure to wear a mask and goggles when you are working on the walls!

Good luck, please do come back to let us know what you decided to do.

Not having a functional kitchen has to be a strain. I fill your pain. If you’re not able to make the repairs, then the only choice is to sell. It’s a sellers market and you would probably get way above your asking price. With the extra funds, purchasing new construction would be doable. I’m not a lawyer, but I have purchased several homes and experienced a similar situation. Good luck.

I assume you cannot submit a claim through your homeowner’s insurance…?

I would not sell the kitchen like this for several reasons. First, there is the psychology of it. Buyers will see this room and immediately think of mold….once thoughts get in your head they are hard to remove. Seeing a room like this along with knowledge there had been mold will scare off many buyers.

Secondly, kitchens are the most expensive rooms in a house. By leaving this room ”bare”, you have diminished the value of your home CONSIDERABLY. I suggest finding a way to get money to fix the kitchen…have you tried local stores where people donate used building materials (Habitat for Humanity)?

Good luck!

Open wire shelving units can be great and super functional in a kitchen. And then repurposed for other storage options when you can install traditional kitchen cabinetry.

I have turned one of the bedrooms in a makeshift kitchen (crock pots, hot plates, microwave and oven) until the kitchen is together. I am working to save $$ to do it the right way 1x. Thanks

Good for you. It should work fine for a while. Hopefully, wont be too long, before you can at least start and get the walls, etc done. Please let us know how things go.

I found a George Foreman grill to be very useful when I remodeled - maybe you can find a used one for cheap, as I did.

right now it can be difficult to obtain all the components for even one IKEA cabinet (and I was planning to redo the garage apartment with IKEA. What I have located is the J Collection, which appears to be similar to the basic IKEA items (not nearly as many options); however, they are already assembled. Purchase is made through Home Depot. Color choice is vanilla white or gray. Think there were two door options. Delivery is TWO WEEKS. I can do six cabinets, 4 are 30" wide, 2 are 36" wide (and one of the 30" is an 80" tall pantry) for a total of $2500. Even just two cabinets would be a somewhat 'working' kitchen and the rest could be done one item at a time. Their website is pretty easy to use.

yes, lack of materials is causing an issue including price hikes. Thanks for sharing.'

My mother died and there had been a leak in her kitchen that destroyed the floor, cabinets, etc. Using friends that worked pretty cheaply and stock cabinets, I remodeled the kitchen for about $5,000. That includes labor, cabinets, counter tops, sink, subfloor, flooring, paint, back wall replacement, Insulation,ceiling fans. Got fridge and stove from Habitat - a separate expense of about $400. My sister and I are holding onto the house for now, but would have to had fixed the kitchen no matter what.

Ordered my J Collection cabinets on July 21; both cabinets were at Home Depot yesterday; now in the garage awaiting our handyman to install them (hopefully Thurs or Fri.) I haven't unpacked them but I suspect they are similar (on a much reduced scale) to IKEA. If so, I will be really happy. Now I need to search for drawer pulls.