My New Blog: TF Workshop

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Remodeling cost averages

Based on the information below, I am estimating $50K at a minimum if we had the kitchen done by a contractor.

Key cost elements:
  • Kitchen / dining room is 11 x 17 sq ft
  • New lighting
  • Maple flooring
  • 39 feet of custom cabinets - all with top-end hardware
  • Granite counter tops
  • All new appliances
  • High-end sink and fixtures
  • Tile backsplash




Major Kitchen Remodel - $86K

Update outmoded 200 square foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of top of the line custom cherry cabinets with built-in sliding shelves and other interior accessories. Include stone countertops with imported ceramic or glass tile backsplash, built-in refrigerator, cooktop, and 36 inch commercial grade range and vent hood, built-in warming drawer, trash compactor, and built-in combination microwave and convection oven. Install high-end undermount sink with designer faucets, and built-in water filtration system. Add new general and task lighting including low-voltage under cabinet lights. Install cork flooring with cherry trim.


Minor Kitchen Remodel - $16K

In a functional but dated 200 square foot kitchen with 30
countertops, leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood
wall oven and cooktop with new energy-efficient models. Replace laminate countertops and
faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.



MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL - $43K

Update an outmoded 200-square-foot kitchen with new cabinets, laminate countertops, and standard double-tub stainless-steel sink with standard single-lever faucet. Include energy-efficient wall oven, cooktop, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and garbage
disposer. Add custom lighting and new resilient floor. Finish with painted walls, trim, and ceiling. Include 30 linear feet of semi-custom grade wood cabinets, including a 3-by-5-foot island.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Maple Flooring


We bought 1300 sq ft of maple flooring from Build Direct

Here is a picture, with our dog added for effect.

It cost about 2.50 per sq ft delivered to our house. Quality is great, the customer service is great - I was fully satisfied. The catch is you need to buy at least 750 sf - no small orders. I did the entire first floor of the house.

The kitchen and dining room combined are 300 sq ft, giving a cost of $750.

If you can buy large lots of materials, I highly recommend Build Direct.(http://www.builddirect.com/Hardwood-Floors-Engineered.aspx)

Kitchen Plan

My goal on this kitchen remodel is to do the whole thing for $10K or less. The 10K is a tight number, but a good goal to track to.

Taking a look at the on-line info, this would cost $50K plus. I will keep a running total with the material costs and supplier links.

Here is a rendering of the remodel. The hutch and dining room are not shown.



Summary of the remodel:

Rebuild all the existing cabinets, using the current cabinet doors. The previous owners did a reface job on the existing ones.

  • The doors are great, but the cabinet boxes and refacing are terrible.
  • Adding all full extention, auto-close drawer slides
  • Adding toe-kick drawers
  • All of the shelves will be full-extention pull-out

Add a kitchen island

  • Size is 30 x 90
  • Appliance lift
  • All shelves are full-extention pull-out
  • Furniture legs
  • Bead-board surfaces
  • Wood on-lays - grape motif

Add a built-in china hutch

  • Matches the island
  • Steel pot rack

Counters

  • The 39 running feet of cabinet will have brown-black granite surface, using 26x18 tiles
  • Expoxy grout to minimize lines

Lighting

  • New can lighting - currently only one light!
  • Modify the soffit and add task lighting
  • Drop lights over the island

Applicances

  • New double oven, cook-top and microwave
  • New dishwasher
  • Still deciding on the refrigerator

Flooring

  • Installed maple flooring last year - will include in the cost
  • We will include kitchen and dining room: 11 x 27, giving 300 sq ft.

Sink

  • Still deciding - farm sinks are cool, but big $$$
  • May do a graphite composite sink with a separate apron for effect

Room

  • Making the windows a bit smaller to allow for more cabinets
  • Will put a magnetic chalkboard up for kids artwork, etc.
  • Will add a display shelf around the soffit
  • Crown molding
  • New sliding glass or french doors (still in debate)

Other items alreaady completed:

We did these before we moved in since there was a whole bunch of mess involved

  • Added a pantry to the laundry room
  • Removed the partition wall between the kitchen and dining room
  • Inset the refridgerator in the remaining wall
  • Maple flooring as stated above

Kitchen Image Thumnail