|
| Your project will be some variation on this outline:
First, someone will be the General Contractor or GC. GC schedules all the work, makes sure the tradesmen show up, do the work according to plan and spec, and get paid. That could be you- your house and your money. Don't do it! That's like being your own attorney...
Probably the GC will be the guy you have in mind for the carpentry. The carpenter is the first on the job and he's there more-or-less throughout.
Next will be the other two key trades: Plumber and Electrician. They need to come at least twice: for rough and then finish work. GC will most likely have guys he likes to work with and trusts. Things can get ugly in a hurry if these three don't get along.
Next decision will be the cabinets- the biggest single item you will buy. GC may have a preference, as he will most likely be doing the install. If he prefers a certain brand, then take a good look at them. If you don't like them, then stick to your guns and get what you want. Cabinet supplier will do the design. If they can't, then keep looking. Don't waste time and money hiring a 'Kitchen Designer'. You may get a drawing that's suitable for framing, but maybe nobody can build what they designed. Cabinet dealer will design according to products available without a lot of expensive modifications. Again, if the cabinet supplier can't/won't do the design, then keep looking.
Lumberyards sell mostly to contractors and homebuilders. Their only focus is on low cost and an easy install. These cabinets will be built well enough, but they will likely be designs and styles that are 30 or more years old. Maybe your taste runs 30 years back- great! They will not have the latest features, because builders are looking at low cost.
Next, decide on appliances. Designer can't do a layout until he/she knows what to include and what size they are. You may elect to use your existing appliances. Some are all the same size (dishwasher, range, etc.) but some will vary quite a lot- refrigerators especially. If you do want to reuse your existing fridge, then shop as though you had to replace your existing and provide that info to the disegner. A good designer can build in an easy way to swap out a different size ref later. Designer will need make & model- he/she can get the dimensions they need.
Flooring, countertops, and tiles are one-shot subs. They're in and out basically one time.
Someone mentioned a big-box store. Tempting to think you can get it all in one place, but I've heard many sad stories about trying to work from them. I have known many very fine people that work in big-box stores. It's the process that's a mess.
Your job is to make decisions in a timely fashion and write the checks promptly and with a happy face once you are satisfied with the work. A few compliments go a long way to bumping your name up a busy sub's list. Be available to look at the work from time to time, but don't be underfoot- a tricky balancing act. Every time you see your GC, you should say, 'Anything you need from me?' Coffee & donuts once in a while are a nice touch.
Beware of what I call 'Project Fatigue'. It's that point about two months into the project when it's no longer a novelty to wash dishes in the bathtub. You just want everybody to go away and leave you alone. You'll want to approve anything as long as it gets the job over with.
If you have kids, just remember that each one represents nine months of physical discomfort and brief, very intense pain, but overall it was worth it.
Good Luck! | |
|
- Kitchen Remodel? - dg25 : 12/4/2012 14:22
- Re: Kitchen Remodel? - mnfarmboy : 12/4/2012 14:36
- RE: Kitchen Remodel? - WHYNOT : 12/4/2012 14:55
- RE: Kitchen Remodel? - dg25 : 12/4/2012 15:00
- RE: Kitchen Remodel? - WHYNOT : 12/4/2012 15:16
- Go to,,,,,,,,,,,,,, - plierswearer : 12/4/2012 22:02
- RE: Kitchen Remodel? - don@nebr : 12/4/2012 19:01
- Re: Kitchen Remodel? - RBH : 12/4/2012 15:31
- Re: Kitchen Remodel? - boog : 12/4/2012 17:58
- Re: Kitchen Remodel? - Biff : 12/4/2012 19:49
- RE: Kitchen Remodel? - Clay-All-Over : 12/4/2012 20:10
- Re: Kitchen Remodel? - Yoosta B : 12/4/2012 23:39
|
Kitchen Remodel?
