Post by daisybuchannan on Dec 15, 2013 21:16:54 GMT -5
Has anyone remodeled their kitchen and want to talk about it or share pics with me? Specifically if you tried to do it with a low budget.
We started to seriously talk about this last night, and I think it's something we really want to do. Currently, we have a 3 br/2 bath house with a pretty closed floorplan (house is a brick colonial from the 1940's so it has a ton of charm, but a lot of features that don't work realistically for our long term plans). I'd like to have 3 kids, and it's just not going to happen here. The plan is to save save save and hopefully buy something bigger in a few years. After really thinking about it though, why not put some money into making the kitchen really work for us in the meantime?
We basically want to combine the kitchen and dining room into one open area- knocking out the wall in between and possibly doing a breakfast bar or island in the middle.
While we don't have a specific budget in mind, I don't want to spend too much bc it would be coming from savings that would ideally be part of our next down payment.
Post by themoneytree on Dec 15, 2013 21:21:52 GMT -5
I have done a lot of them, but none on a particularly low budget. My recommendation is to check out the kitchen forum on Gardenweb. It's a fantastic resource with people who are kitchen obsessed.
It is mostly higher end, but not all and they are super helpful with layout help and suggestions.
Post by 2boys2danes on Dec 15, 2013 21:23:02 GMT -5
I cant share pics because I'm too untechy to know how but we did what I call the "poor man's kitchen reno" this year. We did new granite countertops on big sale at Lowes, got new stainless appliances at lowes with a big rebate and gift card so we saved a bundle and then did a tile backsplash. Counters were about $4k but we have a big island and built in desk in the kitchen, appliances netted out at about $5K and tiling was about $750 installed....
I cant share pics because I'm too untechy to know how but we did what I call the "poor man's kitchen reno" this year. We did new granite countertops on big sale at Lowes, got new stainless appliances at lowes with a big rebate and gift card so we saved a bundle and then did a tile backsplash. Counters were about $4k but we have a big island and built in desk in the kitchen, appliances netted out at about $5K and tiling was about $750 installed....
This is encouraging!
I already have nice appliances, so that will be a huge savings.
Another q some people might be able to help me with. The kitchen is actually nice as is, but is just WAY too small. The cabinets are good quality but a dark color (I want white). Would it be possible to remove the current granite top and backsplash, glaze my current cabinets white, and then match them with any additional ones we put in? Although we have granite, I'm not a fan of the color and would replace it.
I'm not even sure what a "low budget" when it comes to kitchen remodeling is- my H mentioned 10,000 and I thought that would be impossible with removing a wall. Maybe that's not crazy?
I know there are more costs if it is, but do you know how much more it typically is?
Bearing walls will require support beams to be put in place. It is major construction, and so much depends on the circumstances - how long the beam needs to be, what will support it, etc, etc. we have paid from a few thousand to over $10,000 for installation of support beams. Plus architects costs, permitting, etc.
lets hope oped it's not bearing - so much easier! : )
Post by thinkofthesoldiers on Dec 15, 2013 21:29:52 GMT -5
I would consider 10k a cosmetic update, not a budget to knock a wall down with.
In reality, if you are going to move I would just deal with what you have and maybe do a small upgrade. You most likely aren't going to see the money you put in back when you sell.
I would consider 10k a cosmetic update, not a budget to knock a wall down with.
In reality, if you are going to move I would just deal with what you have and maybe do a small upgrade. You most likely aren't going to see the money you put in back when you sell.
Not what I wanted to hear! Lol, thank you though.
The thing is, without opening up the kitchen there isn't really anything that needs to be done cosmetically. I wouldn't pick the current color of the cabinets and counters, but there's nothing wrong with them.
I cant share pics because I'm too untechy to know how but we did what I call the "poor man's kitchen reno" this year. We did new granite countertops on big sale at Lowes, got new stainless appliances at lowes with a big rebate and gift card so we saved a bundle and then did a tile backsplash. Counters were about $4k but we have a big island and built in desk in the kitchen, appliances netted out at about $5K and tiling was about $750 installed....
This is encouraging!
I already have nice appliances, so that will be a huge savings.
Another q some people might be able to help me with. The kitchen is actually nice as is, but is just WAY too small. The cabinets are good quality but a dark color (I want white). Would it be possible to remove the current granite top and backsplash, glaze my current cabinets white, and then match them with any additional ones we put in? Although we have granite, I'm not a fan of the color and would replace it.
I'm not even sure what a "low budget" when it comes to kitchen remodeling is- my H mentioned 10,000 and I thought that would be impossible with removing a wall. Maybe that's not crazy?
It depends on the style of the cabinet.
If you are changing the layout you will need new counters anyway.
My number 1 tip for a new kitchen is do as many drawers as lowers as you possibly can. Adds a little to the cost but so much more functional.
Probably not what you want to hear, but I would not do it. If you plan to sell, your buyer is someone who likes the charm of your historic home. If you try to change the floor plan, you risk losing the charm and features your future buyer would want in a home.
Probably not what you want to hear, but I would not do it. If you plan to sell, your buyer is someone who likes the charm of your historic home. If you try to change the floor plan, you risk losing the charm and features your future buyer would want in a home.
This could go either way.
People like old charm..... But updated kitchens and bathrooms.
Probably not what you want to hear, but I would not do it. If you plan to sell, your buyer is someone who likes the charm of your historic home. If you try to change the floor plan, you risk losing the charm and features your future buyer would want in a home.
This could go either way.
People like old charm..... But updated kitchens and bathrooms.
Post by VeryViolet on Dec 15, 2013 22:53:31 GMT -5
Our friends did a kitchen reno, removing a wall in a 60s brick rancher for less than $10k. They did all of the work themselves and she was able to get some big ticket items (granite and cabinet fronts) at cost. The removing of the wall they had a contractor friend help with. I know that realistically that isn't a possibility for many people but if you and your husband are handy and willing to DIY some of the reno you could save money. I would not want to DIY a kitchen unless I was very confident in my skills (which personally I am not).
Post by fortnightlily on Dec 15, 2013 23:20:52 GMT -5
We knocked down a non-loadbearing wall to combine the kitchen and dining room and installed all new cabinets, countertops, appliances, backsplash, and lighting, as well as reconfiguring a little of the plumbing and gas lines, and closing up a window. Cost us $25k, not including the floors or paint (DH did those). We bought IKEA cabinets. $12k was what the contractor charged us (though that also includes installing two bathroom fans), the rest was materials.
Would you be able to do it in stages? Knock down that wall and put in an island without touching the existing cabinets and counters, then cosmetically update down the road? Or not at all. The island doesn't have to match the rest, the trend these days seems to be not to do so. I've seen lots of gray or colored cabinets and butcher block islands on Houzz, etc.
If you don't need a sink in the island there are even large portable kitchen cart type things at IKEA or World Market or other stores that could be a lower cost pseudo-island and maintain some charm.
We knocked down a half wall, removed a soffit, added cabinets, wood floor, etc. grand total was about $20k. That did include appliances. If you pm your email I can send you pics. Not sure how to PIP.
We were in pretty much the same situation as you. We need to move sometime soon, but we figured the kitchen would pay for itself in resale, since the old one was so hideous, so why not go ahead and remodel?
Our on the cheap remodel last March was $16K and included everything, although no structural changes to the walls. It's a fairly small kitchen, too, at 250 SF.
Hardwood: $1700 including install Granite counter tops: $2400 including install New IKEA cabinets and various other IKEA kitchen gadgetry: $2700 Appliances: $2900 Lighting: $200 Tile back splash: $250 Random hardware/paint stuff: $500 Labor: $5000