Kitchen Remodelling Question

Original post by Sonicstef

Jul 11, 2003 11:52 AM

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?

Sonicstef Posted: Jul 11, 2003 12:42 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Claud: Will HD do a design on the whole room or just the cabinet layout. Like will they help us figure out if we can replace a large window with smaller one to make room for more counter space and stuff?

Wendy Posted: Jul 11, 2003 12:43 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Stef I'll find out. I know that he is licensed in Nassau and Suffolk, but I am not sure if he is licensed in NYC. I'll let you know.

I have to say that we went to HD first too and even though we had our measurements and pics of our existing kitchen with us and knew what we wanted, they told us we needed to call and make an appointment. So we did and when we went in at our scheduled time, they made us wait almost 45 mintues. Even then, the person who sat with us was not all that helpful. He refused to commit to anything pricewise without sending someone out to us to measure (which there was a fee for). We decided we weren't comfortable with that.

yabbobay Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:17 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

my mom had her itchen designed and my dad installed it...while he is good with that...he doesn't know anything about design...so that could be the reason your contractor does want to/ cannot deisgn it...

I want to say that my mom went to consumers kitchen and baths...but it could have been HD

Laura Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:36 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

My mom just redid her kitchen- she used Consumers and then got a contractor who did all the work- she had originally went to Lowes and HD but her contractor recommended Consumers cause he could get her a discount-- so not only did she get a discount but he got a commision so it worked out great on both ends-- I saw the kitchen this past week and he did great work- this was out in coram though so not sure if he travels but if you want me to find out I can

Sonicstef Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:40 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

What is consumers kitchen?

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:41 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Stef..

Since you want a custom kitchen why would you want Stock cabinets.
Why not get them made?

Sonicstef Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:44 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Im not sure what we need to do. Custom is great of course, but i assume its a lot more money. We are also getting prices on doing a custom bookshelf..and all the carpenters we spoke to said they do the cabinets but you need a contractor for the rest. So we are trying to find a contractor.

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:46 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

But any carpender can install windows and change the lay out.....
NO?

Sonicstef Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:51 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Im not installing a new window, Im taking out a large window and putting in a smaller one. Im guessing that requires someone who knows about bricks and holding up the bac wall of the house. I could be wrong but I think so.

Also need to have electrical and plumbing moved around to accomdate the new layout. Carpenters only do the wood right?

Ronnie&Theresa Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:53 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Well Ronnie is a carpender but since they do so much with kitchens and baths he knows how to do electrial and plumbing ..
But his speciality would be custom wood work.,
Like how a dR knows a lil about everything but they specialize in somehing!

michele31 Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:53 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

She still need the new layouts T. Most carpentars can do the installs but I highly doubt they have a real design sense. Some do, but many don't or do not want to be involved with that area. My brother is a general contractor in the Hamptons working on multi-million dollar homes and the carpentars do the work, not the design aspects.

From what I understand most carpentars do not do windows or appliance installs either. Stef needs electrical and plumbing work. I mean, of course, Ronnie will do that for you in your home because he knows how to, but most will not do that because they are not insured for that type of work.

Sonicstef Posted: Jul 11, 2003 01:57 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

T: I'll talk to ronnie and see. I have some woodwork in my dining room I want done and Im sure he can do that. So then he can see our kitchen and see what he can do/cant do.

Fran M Posted: Jul 11, 2003 02:03 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

I did this years ago in my old co-op. I bought the cabinets at Consumers Kitchen & Bath and they gave me recommendations for contractors in the area. All the contractors were licensed and insured. It worked out very well. At the time their prices were better than HD but that was a long time ago. They may be worth checking out.

Kristen Posted: Jul 11, 2003 02:31 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

We just ordered our cabinets from HD on wednesday and I have no complaints so far. We paid to have them come and take measurements and take digital pictures ($100 put they take it off if you purchase cabinets) and after that we met with them about 4 times discussing options for the layout. I am having my own installer but they can get you also a price for installation. The designer we are dealing with is great and they just called today and said the cabinets will probably be delievered 8/11..but we have lots to do before that. We have to go back next week to pick the counter top. I also went to Consumers i just happedned to like this specific door style/finish at HD a lot.

Cira Posted: Jul 11, 2003 02:39 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Stef ... I have a small kitchen and we remodeled it and designed it differently than it was before - made more use out of the space. Rob and I did go to HD, Consumers, and other cabinet stores with our dimensions and some thought as to how we want it done and they were able to put together a design for us. But HD is a pain, so I would avoid it like the plague. We also had the 3D Architect Design and he played around with the dimensions and some design layouts. We got our cabinets from a friend, so the price for all wood cabinets was great. There are so many things to consider when putting this together, like the frame of the cabinet, all wood vs. press board, the counter top too.

I can take a few pics of our kitchen and post when I get home, if you'd like! The crown molding is not finished, but overall, I love it.

We were lucky in that Rob and my father installed our kitchen, but you really need to look into that too. Installation could cost the same as the actual cabinets, so working with a contractor might be the best for you.

Good Luck ... I know what a chore this can be!

Sonicstef Posted: Jul 11, 2003 02:41 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Thanks everyone.

Cira: Definitely want to see photos if you got them. Doing our own installation is not an option since we are doing a lot more than replacing cabinets but I'd love to see what you did.

anna Posted: Jul 11, 2003 03:25 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Stef - I didnt read the whole thread, so i dont know if anyone wrote this yet:
Home Depot has a software program that will take all the measurements of your kitchen, and do a layout and tell you what fits where.

Hope that makes sense.

This is if you buy from them. Im not sure if you have to commit in order to do this, probably not.
Go give it a shot !

Wendy Posted: Jul 11, 2003 03:56 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Stef I would say that you definately need a contractor, especially with the sort of work that you are doing. Changing a window is not a big deal, but if you are changing the size of the window it is. Plus, since you are doing electrical and plumbing work too, you are better off with a contractor because they can do the whole job.

As for the cabinets you can get excellent stock cabinets. We went through a place called KitchenScapes in Hicksville and all they do is cabinets. While our cabinets are not 'custom' we did get the top of the line as far as construction of the cabinets and they did not come cheap either. I actually cried when we got back in the car after they told us what the cost would be!!! Just do your homework before you purchase anything. We must have gone to every kitchen place on LI and we really picked their brains for info, so that when the time came to buy we knew what we were looking for. It helps to be prepared.

Cira Posted: Jul 12, 2003 02:42 PM

Re: Kitchen Remodelling Question

Okay, as promised ... here's my kitchen. I haven't uploaded them to shutterfly, so I'll just individually post them.

This is the kitchen view from my dinnette area. We put most of our cabinets along the back wall and to the ceiling. The cabinet with the open doors is actually in my dinnette, where I took this pic.