DIY kitchen remodel tips wanted

[Buttah Butts]

I remodeled my kitchen last year down to bare studs etc. Removed 5 windows for more cabinets and removed wall to open up the area. Lot of work took about 4 months. Wife and I did everything but the electrical and the cabinets and countertops. Thank god we had an outdoor kitchen area but washing pots and pans sucked in the bathroom sink.

 

[mike243]

I also built houses for a few years but having a little knowledge don't make me a expert lol I really enjoyed it but weather here is a $$$ killer and if you dont have inside work its a low to no paycheck till the rain lets up, i can run backhoe and bobcats and dozer and high lifts and love working outside, weather again plays a big part of it

 

[SherryT]

I remodeled my kitchen last year down to bare studs etc. Removed 5 windows for more cabinets and removed wall to open up the area. Lot of work took about 4 months. Wife and I did everything but the electrical and the cabinets and countertops. Thank god we had an outdoor kitchen area but washing pots and pans sucked in the bathroom sink.

Oh the flashbacks!

 

[Fueling Around]

I’d love to get some practical, experience-based tips from those you who have endured a kitchen remodel.
...
Any survival tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

Don't do it?

Is this just a facelift as in new flooring, cabinets, counter-top, and sink with NO renovation?

Do you have a complete work statement spelled out to the detail level?
Do this helps avoid the @#$% when a detail is completed and you suddenly realize I should have done these other things first.

A kitchen remodel is second only to a bathroom remodel ... in a 1 bedroom house.

 

[Fueling Around]

I been in the heat and air buisness since 1977 and have learned a lot,unless a gas appliance has ox sensors in it to cut it off i dont recommend it without a vent of some kind, looks like they are trying to get gas ranges outlawed, there is a lot of data on it. Not sure they can get it done in my lifetime

I still haven't figured ventless gas fireplaces.
I've been anticipating banning gas appliances for some time.

 

[DRKsmoking]

It is nice to have a change in the living area of your home

Like others have said ,
Have a plan and try to stick to it, things do come up and just roll with it . You already ordered the cabinets so,
at least you know what size the kitchen is or you have made it already.

Most times I do remove the cabinets from the existing kitchen so I can repair the walls and install the new flooring.
And prime and paint all so not cutting in around the uppers and lowers . And than you can install the backsplash on the finished walls instead of painting around the new cabinets, ( easier to do a few little touch ups later instesd of a big paint job after all the new is installed.

If I can I leave a small piece of the countertop with the sink still in it ( foot or two on either side ) but remove the cabinet under it and prop up the counter with angled 2 x 4 s . That way you have a sink until the last day .

Hope this helps some , good luck

Oh the main thing is be patient with each other, it will be a trying time . love is bigger than a renovation , just saying

David

 

[chopsaw]

It never even CROSSED MY MIND that I could use my propane griddle indoors!

It all depends on the BTU's of the burner and FRESH AIR intake . I use mine in the garage , and it doesn't take much for it to burn up the oxygen when the door is closed .
Personally , I wouldn't use it in the house .

 

[chopsaw]

I still haven't figured ventless gas fireplaces.

Bad news . Can't stand them , or be around one . Instant headache for me .

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

I know I cooked a lot of meals during Snowvid with my griddle on the island and had no issues at all.

Robert

That right there explains explains a lot about you Robert. Stay away from the gas pipe dude! Sorry, I couldn't help that.

 

[SherryT]

If I can I leave a small piece of the countertop with the sink still in it ( foot or two on either side ) but remove the cabinet under it and prop up the counter with angled 2 x 4 s . That way you have a sink until the last day .

David

That's what we did...made sure we had "just enough" for the drain board and a (VERY) small space for prep.

It was aggravating as hell and took FAR longer than we anticipated, but we got through it.

I can tell you this...other than any necessary REPAIRS, the only "renovation" my kitchen will get going forward is a coat of paint and hardware!

 

[Fueling Around]

...
If I can I leave a small piece of the countertop with the sink still in it ( foot or two on either side ) but remove the cabinet under it and prop up the counter with angled 2 x 4 s . That way you have a sink until the last day .
...

David

I did that when we updated our main bathroom.
Wife couldn't find a new vanity to her liking and the cabinet shops wanted way too much money for a custom build. I pulled the old one out, replaced the particle board and mdo with real wood and made it 3" taller.

 

[paulgeorge]

I’d love to get some practical, experience-based tips from those you who have endured a kitchen remodel. I’m tearing out the old oak floors soon. The cabinets will follow as last-minute as I think we can handle. New custom cabinets arrive mid Feb that a contractor friend of mine will help me install. I will not DIY the countertop and new sink.

I know the fun will come when we lose the sink and stove. I do have capable convection ovens and even butane stovetop options. The cooking tent will be set up outside as our California atmospheric river shows no sign of stopping https://mayflowerva.com/kitchen/. Right now we’re eating a lot of prepackaged salads with protein (chicken, pork, beef, beans) so the stovetop might not be greatly missed.

Any survival tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hello. We are fixing to undertake a kitchen remodel. We think we have the cabinets and countertops picked out at 4 day cabinets however they don't do any of the demo before hand. Anyone have someone in mind that they would suggest? Also any horror stories about 4 day cabinets?

 

[02ebz06]

Here are some reviews...
4 Day Cabinets

 

[chopsaw]

Also any horror stories about 4 day cabinets?

I never buy cabinets that don't take at least 5 days .

 

[sandyut]

Late on this but. We used a contractor for our last kitchen reno. While it was tore up, we used a folding Lifetime table and chairs from Costco, bathroom sink as needed, but mostly disposable everything. Washing dishes and such in the bathroom blows. Salads, grilled everything, etc.

 

[DRKsmoking]

I never buy cabinets that don't take at least 5 days .

Ha Ha , I hear ya. lol

David

 

[Brokenhandle]

Oh oh... Sven was last seen June 10th... hope the remodel didn't go that poorly!

Ryan

 

[clifish]

We just completed a full kitchen remodel that involved knocking down a wall. We had no water of any kind on the first floor for 6 weeks as the bathroom was torn to the studs. We had an electric griddle, air fryer, microwave, crock pot in our living room (that is now our new dinging room). I did nothing but write the $100K check

We went from this

To this

 

[clifish]

Oh oh... Sven was last seen June 10th... hope the remodel didn't go that poorly!

Ryan

or that he did not get eaten by a bear on one of his hikes!

 

[chopsaw]

We just completed a full kitchen remodel

Looks great ! Where's your range or cook top ? I see the oven . Is it one of the newer setups that has the induction in the counter top ?