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October 21, 2009
Kitchen Reno: Some D.I.Y.
some d.i.y some contractor:
hi all- we are planning a kitchen/bathroom reno in our townhouse. involves replacing everything in the kitchen/bathroom: ceiling, floors, some wall rejigging, electrical, cabinets (ikea), not moving but replacing some plumbing, etc.
obviously this is going to get crazy expensive. Is there anything anyone could say about doing some of it ourselves and contracting some parts out? We're both handy but can't spent an eternity without a kitchen while we work on it weekends. What would you suggest are the 'doable' projects? Does this drive contractors nuts? thanks for any advice (or recommendations!)
Comments
I think that it's important not to bite off more than you can chew. That said, there are incredible savings to be had if you can do the work yourself. If you're adding or relocating plumbing fixtures, you'll need a licensed architect to prepare drawings for filing with the builing department as well as a licensed plumber to do the work. Contractors generally do not like to work this way because there's less profit and more responsibility. Where your work mates with the contractor's there's likly to be construction or financial issues. My recommendation is to set your buget, hire the best contractor at the best price to do the most work and you finish it off perhaps with the painting. Ed Kopel Architects
Posted by: edkopel at October 21, 2009 4:36 PM
I think that it's important not to bite off more than you can chew. That said, there are incredible savings to be had if you can do the work yourself. If you're adding or relocating plumbing fixtures, you'll need a licensed architect to prepare drawings for filing with the builing department as well as a licensed plumber to do the work. Contractors generally do not like to work this way because there's less profit and more responsibility. Where your work mates with the contractor's there's likly to be construction or financial issues. My recommendation is to set your buget, hire the best contractor at the best price to do the most work and you finish it off perhaps with the painting. Ed Kopel Architects
Posted by: edkopel at October 21, 2009 4:40 PM
I've done what you want to do three times with the same people and it looked/looks great and it didn't cost an arm and a leg. My guys just finished two bathrooms for two different Brownstoner readers, so he will have references beyond me. Post your email and I will get in touch.
Posted by: dylanfan at October 22, 2009 6:34 AM
dylanfan
i'd love to hear more about your projects...what you did what they did etc.
we're basically looking to have all the bumpy, crappy surfaces fixed (floors, walls, ceilings)
by someone and then install our own ikea cabs and mix them with nice tiling, countertops, appliances etc.
thanks for any info on your guys!
Posted by: CGmodern at October 22, 2009 9:04 AM
dylanfan
i'd love to hear more about your projects...what you did what they did etc.
we're basically looking to have all the bumpy, crappy surfaces fixed (floors, walls, ceilings)
by someone and then install our own ikea cabs and mix them with nice tiling, countertops, appliances etc.
thanks for any info on your guys!
jackielnx@gmail.com
Posted by: CGmodern at October 22, 2009 9:04 AM
Dylanfan-- I'd love to hear about your contractors, too (I'm in a similar position to cgmodern). Can you send your info to me as well? I'm at lefischer at hotmail dot com.
Posted by: 12345 at October 23, 2009 9:59 AM
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