We recently did a full kitchen renovation with new flooring, cabinets, granite,
copper sink, etc. I should have been prepared, but when you're working on your own home you see things a little differently. Besides removing the old and installing the new stuff, we also moved a wall to make the kitchen open to a family room and extended a doorway to make a larger opening to the dining room. These two things sound simple on paper, but made an already long process take even longer. I didn't realize moving a wall meant reinforcing the beams in the attic, moving electrical, patching and retexturing the ceiling and reframing behind the cabinets. Also, widening a doorway means repainting the other side, reframing the door, repairing moulding, etc. Another thing to be prepared for is that things will often come damaged, scratched, need to be modified and generally make you pull your hair out!
This reno took about 3 months total and we more or less stayed within budget. However, some things we forgot to consider are the inconvenience of living with drywall dust (having plastic from ceiling to floor did little to help), wasting so many paper cups/plates/utensils because there was no kitchen sink hooked up, and eating out for almost every meal for 3 months! The latter of which added a hefty amount that was not in the budget.
In the end, it was definitely worth it, but I don't want to renovate anything for quite awhile! I love my copper sink and the extra counter space. My kids also hate eating out now so I guess it's a good thing we have our new kitchen...
before/during renovation
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Living through a kitchen renovation....some uncalculated costs
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21 comments:
Memories of a Mom: I remember the way the dust settled on every piece of furniture thoughout the house, the way the kids would run through the hanging plastic like it was their personal playhouse and it was especially fun to watch husband & wife work together! (Yes, you did have good ideas but he just wouldn't listen) (Of course he did know what he was doing even though you kept telling him that he didn't) It was fun to watch but I wouldn't want to have lived there! Oh, by the way, they're still married!!
i hope you get this comment. .
we are looking at purchasing a copper sink. i would love to know your pros and cons now that you have had it for a while. i did a google search of copper sinks and your blog popped up. i'm trying to find out the wear on them.
thank you! you can email me at:
cloud-stepper@comcast.net
Hi Jessica,
I've been very happy with the copper sink. The only drawback is that if things are left in the sink it will discolor. Starchy foods will react with it also. I like the rustic look on the outside but use "Barkeepers Friend" to keep the bottom shiny and clean. Also, it will scratch if something heavy and metal like a spoon or knife is dropped on it at the right angle. One of the main reasons that I got it besides the look is because of the anti-bacterial properties of copper.
Hope this helps! I got mine off of ebay so you may be able to find one cheaper there.
Very very nice article. I hope that you will post more and thank you for sharing.
To throw in my two cents, wood cabinets can be purchased online for a very low price. Assembling them and installing these myself was a total joy.
Good luck with everything.
This is a great post on your kitchen renovation. It's nice to see how you let others know how intense it is and how being well prepared makes a difference. I know it's hard to be without your kitchen, but I'm sure it was well worth the wait and now you have a different outlook as a whole. Thanks for sharing!
Great Read - I think it is important to do your homework on the company you choose to do a kitchen renovation project with. Also, most importantly I'd recommend clearing 3-4 weeks in your schedule during the construction phase to deal with the mess and ordering out!
Great info. We do tons of cabinet refishing, painting, and glazing. Some things people should think about too if they go this route are:
1) whether or not they are going to change their hardware out.
2) Will they want a backsplash after they get through?
3) Will they want to add molding at the top?
4) Will they want to add cabinets, consolidate some, or change the structure some?
5) How does what they are looking to do to their cabinets fit into the entire kitchen project?
These are just a few things to consider.
thefauxguy
http://www.fauxagoodtime.com
After renovation your kitchen looks very beautiful and I like your changes what u did! Specially I like your copper sink!I am also going to renovate my kitchen and I like changes and I gonna do that.
Find the nearest local kitchen renovation contractor listed in your area, such as Vancouver and Toronto using the myTradesDirect.com detailed listings directory. You can check out their profiles and even view photos and videos to see the type of work they do. Regardless of the size of your kitchen remodeling project, we try to make the process of finding the best renovation contractor easy for you.
There is no question that kitchens sell a home and can add significant resale value, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners are looking at new kitchen designs to remodel one of their busiest rooms. The kitchen is one of the main gathering areas where families gather and guests mingle so planning a kitchen renovation should be well though out. Finding a home renovation contractor that has experience is important and they can be a good source for kitchen renovation ideas.
Really superb post on kitchen renovation and remodelling, Thanks for giving this blog.
My kitchen looks pretty much the same. It's really getting on our nerves and there's still much to do. Ok, back to work.
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WOW This is GOOD......
wow its really superb.. i like it.. thanks for sharing.. :) looking so hot.. ;)
Kitchen isan important part of our homes, everyone wants prefect kitchen. Granite Countertop is only the thing that enhance the value of your kitchen.
Kitchen remodeling remains a sensitive issue, when talk turns to home improvement. One needs to be really careful while choosing a refurbishment company.
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Kitchen is an important part of the house.We can add more beauty to it by decorating it well.
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