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Anybody ever remodel their kitchen themself?

HeroOfPellinor

HeroOfPellinor

Lifer
I plan to do everything except the countertops myself. Just replacing vinyl flooring with ceramic or porcelin tile and replacing the fugly laminate cabinets with some nice cherry ones. We both love those seemless Corian sinks, so we'll probably go with that, so I'll leave it towhoever we buy it from to come install it.

Anybody ever do a project on this scale? Did you run into any snags or make any mistakes worth sharing?
 
I've done a couple kitchens but not in my own house.
We just redid the kitchen, foyer and dining room floors in hardwood. Now I've been summoned to do the bathroom. Once that's finished, it's back to the kitchen to do the walls and cieling. Next it's to the dining room walls.
I think the next project is to build a wraparound deck and remodel the basement.
Before I can get to any of it I have to finish remodeling an apartment and rehab a house.
The moral of this story?
Don't get handy.

P.S.
Prep for the cabinets, let the cabinet makers install them. It will take them a day and save you screwing something up.
 
Yep, in the last house we lived in...
  • Pulled up the vinyl floor and put in laminate flooring (Pergo).
  • Had Corian (w/sink) installed.
  • Installed a nickel finish Moen faucet w/built in soap dispenser.
  • Sanded and painted all the cabinets (and doors) off-white.
  • Painted all the walls a dark green
  • Installed all nickel finish cabinet hardware, including handles.
  • Installed an over-the-range microwave.
I can probably dig up pics later tonight, if you are really interested.


My best advice is make sure you have the time and the right tools (i.e. table saw, mitre saw, etc...) A quality job will take a lot of effort.
 
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Yep, in the last house we lived in...
  • Pulled up the vinyl floor and put in laminate flooring (Pergo).
  • Had Corian (w/sink) installed.
  • Installed a nickel finish Moen faucet w/built in soap dispenser.
  • Sanded and painted all the cabinets (and doors) off-white.
  • Painted all the walls a dark green
  • Installed all nickel finish cabinet hardware, including handles.
  • Installed an over-the-range microwave.
I can probably dig up pics later tonight, if you are really interested.


My best advice is make sure you have the time and the right tools (i.e. table saw, mitre saw, etc...) A quality job will take a lot of effort.
Click to expand...

We both really fell for that Corian with the built-in sink too. I guess I'm more practical, but having a sink with no lip is just so overwhelmingly convenient.

My Skills? Literacy. Common sense. Humility. I have a level and a hammer too. I've done plenty of projects I had no qualifications for simply by researching and planning and they've all come out great. Some projects I hire out and am glad I did. But hanging cabinets and placing tile, frankly, just doesn't sound like something I'll need to. Besides, I saw a pair of dimwits on Weekend Warriors do a similar project. I'm unsure about installing the countertop, so I may have someone do that part.

But, ya, Wingznut, I'd love to hear how the countertop installation went.
 
Putting int he counter is actually one of the easier jobs as long as you have done everything else right. Corian can be made in nearly any size, and can be cast as a single piece. The only limiting factor is the size of your front door. (IIRC, there was a 50' running * 9' limitation really)

Once the counters are level, just plop down the counter, level it, level it again, glue it, make sure it's level, bolt it in, make sure it's level again.

One of the best investements for doing countertops is going to be a good 6' level. Not a cheap plastic one, extruded aluminum is some of the best. Personally, I shy away from the wood core ones because of moisture related issues. A good aluminum 6' can be had for < $50.
 
Evad is correct that actually installing the counter/sink isn't a huge deal... Just glue it on. However, I found it easier (and not much more expensive) to have the contractor install it. They come out and make the template, take all the measurements, make the damn thing, and then plop it down. I did save some money by demo'ing the old counter, though.

The only downside of the Corian sink (besides price) is that it can stain fairly easily. A little bleach and a little elbow grease will take care of it. But yes, it's gorgeous.


Once we get a few other projects taken care of (i.e. gas fireplace insert), we'll be doing the kitchen in our current house.
 
Currently doing our kitchen right now...wiring, plumbing, drywall, cabinets, flooring...everything...


sigh...I wish spring was here
 
Unless you've done tile in the past, you may want to practice a bit in a small bathroom before tackeling the kitchen.
 
Yeah, I think tile is something that's harder then it looks to get correct. You could probably do it yourself, but like aircooled said, you might want to practice somewhere first. Does Home Depot still have short little classes on doing stuff like that?
 
You will want to be a bit wary of cabinets. Refinishing is not the same as removing and replacing, if that is what you are planning. If everything was square, the walls flat and sound, then it's not so bad. In the real world things don't usually go that easily. I am not saying you can't do it, but there is a difference between doing something and doing something well. My suggestion is to read a lot on installation, then go ask questions of those from whom you will be buying.
 
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