Kitchen Remodeling Expectations
The Kitchen Place
7 months ago
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Did your kitchen remodel turn into a bath remodel too?
Comments (4)As billl said, moisture should be addressed with proper ventilation (fan). If you do not have one already, plan to put one in. I don't have personal experience with IKEA cabinets, though I have a disassembled one in my basement waiting to be installed as a utility sink. I read very positive things about the quality:cost ratio. Personally, I generally prefer drawers rather than cabinets. Anything you can do to get extra drawers would be good. Unless the subfloor under the tub is damaged or you damage the tub while removing the flooring, there should be no reason you need to remove the tub. And even if you remove the tub, you could probably still reinstall it. I replaced my tub (it was harvest gold) and there had been a small amount of water damage. I pulled up the underlayment and the subfloor was in good shape. With water damage, you really don't know what to expect until you finish demolition....See Morewhat to expect with after-the-fact bathroom remodel
Comments (9)I agree with Energy Rater LA. Keep the bathroom door closed. Some people do this all the time anyway. Draw permits on any work in the future. If the bathroom remodel is discovered and the inspector insists on inspecting it at that time, fine. Respectfully do whatever you need to do at that time. If you need to pay a fine, pay; tear out work, do it. The difference between coming clean now and going in to the building department, admitting the error, and doing whatever they demand now and what I suggest above is: 1. Inspector may not see or care about the bathroom when in to inspect future work. In that case, you saved the trouble and cost of fessing up on your own. 2. If you have to tear the bathroom out in either instance, at least you are doing it later if you don't fess up. You got more "use" out of your materials and you get to replace those materials with ones that are more modern and in the "style" of at least a few years later if you wait for the inspector to find it....See MoreThe price of kitchens in the new age of revised expectations
Comments (96)Beckyg, I love what you said here: "When the kitchen designers and cabinet and appliance makers are telling me to spend 10 - 15% of my home's value on a new kitchen, I automatically cut it in half... it reminds me of how the diamond dealers came up with the idea that a man should spend 2 months salary on a ring - OR ELSE! That's ridiculous. What an arbitrary number." Totally arbitrary, I agree. I specifically told my sweetie that he shouldn't spend more than two WEEKS' salary on my ring, and he didn't. I couldn't stand the stress of walking around with $6000 or $10,000 or whatever on my finger, and there was just no way I could see that it made sense to sink so much money into a piece of jewelry. I guess the reason I'm more okay with the 10% thing on kitchens... ok, well part of it is because our house is worth maybe $270k. Actually I think that's the main reason I'm okay with it! Because 10-15% of MY house corresponds pretty well with the maximum that I think makes sense to spend on a kitchen. Haha. I can't imagine spending $150k on a kitchen. But aside from that, a kitchen--assuming you're going to live in it for a good while--has a much bigger influence on your quality of life than a ring does. The spaces we inhabit really do influence the ways we live--like the poster who talked about molesting her marble (haha) and said her kids used the new island and socialized whereas before they would've retreated to their rooms. It does matter how living spaces are designed and how they look. The way they look and they way they flow and function influences not only how you feel in them, but what you do in them. That's why I am dead set on having a banquette and table in the kitchen instead of the ubiquitous "raised edge of the counter with barstools" that our ex-architect kept pushing. We're planning on having kids soon, and it would be what, six years or more before they'd be big enough to easily use barstools and a raised counter?! Whereas little kids can easily sit on banquettes, space to hold kids' toys can be built into banquettes, AND our friends can sit there too when they're visiting. Space matters!...See MoreWhat I should expect for kitchen designer appointment?
Comments (35)Is it reasonable to have an estimate on the total cabinet cost before committing? I tend to think so :) How each place does it depends. I like to offer "in this brand, this layout, with these options, in the style you selected will be this (I aim just a tad high to cover since it is nicer to finish low) and not less than this. I know that some higher end outfits will just do a ball park and no design without a layout. I am A) a lousy guesser; B) think you should know what you are spending and have some idea of what we do, how we work-IOW what you are buying. New build: So the KD would draw up a preliminary design ... then come in to physically measure /verify details once the house is "enclosed" ... and at that point the design is finalized /order is placed? Depends on the extent of the build and type of construction and the brands lead time. I always measure when the framing is done to at least double check for windows and electric/machanicals. I always check after the rock is in just to be sure. Occasionally something specified has been moved (like lights). Then we order. Typically the "design has been finalized already" final measures are a double check and should only require a tweak at most. For new construction or major additions I like to have input prior to final plans to make sure what you want will work. Often in conjunction with an architect or builder (so long as there is a retainer). Some will do that , some won't. I prefer it for a lot of reasons-aside from fitting what you want, it avoids last minute budget overages requiring dumping design work when the client has spent too much elsewhere. Does the KD also come in the day the cabinets are installed? I kind of don't see the point in that, but maybe I'm missing something. That depends but I usually do to make sure everything is clear. The better I know the installer the less important it is that I am there the first day. (but I do offer to assist with the on site layout if they like) Getting there early in an install prevents problems, sometimes things that I worry about can be checked, if there are any problems we can get replacements faster. My approach is not common. I do it in part as self defense, A) have had bad things happen when not looking B) maintain the relationship with the client. More I do it since I sell kitchens, not boxes. You bought a kitchen, part of my job is to make sure you get it....See More
T Jarmuth
7 months ago- PRO
The Kitchen Place
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoOn countertops: You will have an EDGE PROFILE to select. Not to mistake this for your corner specifications. Inside and outside corners for your countertops must be specified for the type of radius (or clip) it will have. If you want it square as possible, then eased corners is what you want. Otherwise, specify an amount (ie. 3/4" radius). For inside corners, if you have and L or U shaped top, specify if you you want the corner SQUARE...or if you are OK with it having a radius.
1. Edge profile...it's how they rout the edge along the whole countertop
2. Rounded or square inside corners. Don't assume!
2 inside corner examples
two OUTSIDE corner examples:
3. Keep in mind you must also specify the sink cutout if you want it other than STANDARD!Most companies will do an eased edge with slightly rounded inside corners as standard. ASK! If you wanted a rounded edge and a square inside corner, must specify!!! Or eased edge and square corners to match your sink...again, must specify. Some companies can only do the square inside corners if done by hand. Their CNC machines cannot do it! Which is why is costs more $$$.
Sorry if confusing 
Buehl
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoIf needed, explain the Quality/Cost/Speed relationship:
Pick two:
The Kitchen Place thanked Buehl- PRO
The Kitchen Place
2 months ago RoyHobbs
2 months ago
Lynn Lou
2 months agoLyndee Lee
2 months ago
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