Kitchen Remodelling Question

Ok, since I have had the longest week at work and i dont feel like doing another **** thing...here is my kitchen remodel question.

My husband finally found a contractor that seems reputable, will work in Brooklyn, has references and is not a jerk. (or at least thats how it looks now). He spoke to him about re-doing our kitchen and the guy told him that his best bet is to get a designer to do the layout so we can maximize space, etc...,etc..

Is this Bs? I mean, it strikes me as something the contractor should be able to do for us, right?

THe contractor gave us the names of a few designers, so i dont think he directly profits from that.

Anyone have a clue about this?

No, it isn't BS- my Dad does kitchen remodeling all the time- usually what people do is go to Home Depot- they have a free kitchen design service (I think). then my dad takes their blueprints and makes everything from there...

My dad can also go on-site to see the kitchen, but he isn't an architect,, ya know? he has good ideas but architect/designers are seeing what's new all the time- by the time some of the contractors/wood workers 'get it' it's old..

Stef...

As the carpender he should know what he is doing.
The reason he is getting you have the deigns done is so he can have the measurments and go from there.
He probally isn't able to do them on his own and needs a format to go from.... IF he knew what he was doing he would know how to use space to the max.
Ronnie is reworking my kitchen so we can have the garbage hidden as a cabinet and he is making the fridge look like a cabinet as well

I know All Ronnie needs is his notebook and his tape measure.
U can call Ron tonight if you want to ask him!

I want to know ..

Is there a difference btwn carpender and contractor?

Thanks girls!

Sassy: Thanks..that makes sense.

Jenny: Who did you use? Anyone you can recommend?

T: Thanks, this guy has done some nice work, Im fairly certain he knows how to measure. If anything, I think he might be too expensive for us.

Dk: Thanks. I think HD charges for the design stuff....maybe $150 or more. And I dont have very much luck with HD customer service in my area. Do you know how much designers charge?

Stef...

Remember if you buy all the material labor should not cost you more then 2k.. THE MOST and almost every kitchen can be installed in 2 days and then the floor.
Ron is working on a 10mil house on Glen Cove on the sound the kicthen is the size of 3 of my rooms and it took them 2 weeks and that is with Custom made cabinets!

So don't let him RIP u off.

Stef - Call Atlantis Kitchens LTD:
7708 164TH ST
FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11366
(718) 969-2600

DH does a lot of work with them and says they are a good company. He told me they do the design work for free. Even if you have bought your stuff already maybe you can go there and pay them a fee for the design work. Call and see what they say.

T: Thanks :D Although Im sure Im going to get ripped off, just hoping to keep it to a min. For one, I need a lot more than new cabinets. I need to change some of the layout as well as make room for things that are not there now and maybe even move around windows and doors...so its going to be an expensive job. I just hope it wont be crazy expensive. Plus, we have expensive tastes so the material are going to be big bucks im sure.

DK: Thanks, Im goign to give that to my husband. We havent bought anything yet.

Stef, I do not believe that HD charges for the design service. Just make sure Luke measures the dimensions of your kitchen before you go to speak with someone at HD. They have a pretty sophisticated design software, that allows you to see the kitchen with the new cabinets before you purchase anything.

IF you want to purchase the cabinets through HD, they will want to come to your house to measure everything themselves. You will want them to do this b/c then they are liable if anything is wrong.
The cost of them doing the measuring then gets applied to the cost of your cabinets, so that's no biggie.

Are you planning to buy the cabinets from the contractor? Be sure to get a price estimate from him that includes materials AND labor - and then ask him to break it down to just the labor. HD might actually give you a better price on the cabinets themselves, and then you can just have the contractor install them.

Another thing to consider - depending on how elaborate your plans are, you might want a professional finish carpenter (like Theresa's FH) to do the actual cabinet install. Not all general contractors are good at the details of finish carpentery. JMO. Good luck, and let me know if you have any Q's.

Edited to add - contrary to what was posted - if you have a CHOICE - definitely install the floor BEFORE the cabinets. If you're laying tile, the right way is to have the tile go under the cabinets, so that everything (including appliances) are level. Also, if you ever have to pull out your stove or fridge or dishwasher, it's easier this way.

Stef, I had my kitchen redone in January. We worked with a kitchen cabinet designer to maximize our usable space. Our contractor suggested it, but he also gave us several good ideas himself. We were also replacing all the kitchen windows, putting in a porcelain tile floor, adding new outlets to bring the kitchen up to code and adding a dishwasher, which the house had not had before. We also upgraded our electrical service to 200amp.

It's a huge undertaking, but it's easier if you have a reputable contractor that you feel comfortable with. We liked ours so much and were so happy with the work that we are having him come back in two weeks to redo our main bathroom and to finish our attic for a home office/guest room.

If you have any questions ask away. I am an expert on remodeling now!!!

Edited to add: I agree with Claud. Absolutely do the floor before you install cabinets. This is a must.

We've been to HD and they told us (very rudely i might add) that they cant even give us an estimate without us giving them their design fee. All we wanted was a rough estimate based on a certain cabinet type and square footage but they turned us away. Maybe the ones on LI dont charge? but the one in Brooklyn does.

Good tip about the tile. We have fairly new tile in our kitchen but we probably couldnt salvage it if we redid the whole thing b/c we plan on moving everything around.

Wendy: Would your contractor come to Brooklyn? I like the guy we are talking with but I'd rather use someone that comes recommended.

Stef, I don't know why they would ask for a design fee - that strange.

However, they cannot simply just give you a cost estimate based on square footage and cabinet style - there is so much more to consider, and it's not as simple as that (as you will soon know).

The cabinets have all sorts of different sizes and features and these things will add to the total cost...so, in HD's defense, it wasn't a fair question.

Good luck w/whatever you decide. I would recommend my carpenter, but he's not willing to go to Brooklyn. Sorry.

what about using a program where you can put in your demensions of your kitchen then place the stove, sink, refrigerator, windows, etc...where you want them! At least then you can get an idea of what it will look like before you start any work!!

Thanks Claud. HD is a mystery to me. I mean, kitchen remodelling is a huge business from them and they are not that busy...but they will turn away customers. Oh well. Maybe when we are in LI, I will go in one there.

Lisa - I thought about that but the key things I want to change have to do with some structural elements rather than cabinets, etc... So i think the programs work better for larger kitchens that dont have space constraints like mine do. At least, thats what ive heard.

Stef, I think your instincts are right...I would use a design professional. There is so much to consider - stuff you and Luke wouldn't even think of b/c it's not your profession.

As far as HD - honestly, we had a really great experience w/them, so I'd say you might give another store a try, if that's at all a consideration.
Or, the Atlantis recommendation is good too - I think my aunt and uncle used them for their kitchen remodel several years ago.