Kitchen Remodel help

We have lived in our home for 2 years now and I feel its time to redo our kitchen. I have soooo many questions. I just dont know where to start.... do
I call an architect, home depot, a contractor??? What is the first step?
i have been researching ideas since we moved in but I now need to know how much this will cost and what are the best options.
We've never done a project this large so i dont want to make any major missteps....for those who have redone their kitchen please give us some advice and thngs you learned along the way. Thanks.

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

I would say first step is go and walk around places that have model kitchens set up like Consumers, home depot.

See what you like, what you dont like.
What you need.

You can take measurements and consumers will do a layout and price it out for you.


I didnt do enough looking around, It came down to the last minute and had to rush thru details.

You want to look at :
Granite
Flooring
Backsplash
Appliances

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

Definitely get pictures together for ideas, colors and styles that you like. Then call a few contractors and have them come in and give you estimates. Show them your ideas and see what they have to say. Make sure the plumbing and electric is included in their quote.

HTH!

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

we are starting the renovations on our kitchen next month, total gut job.
i spent a lot of time searching online etc looking at pictures, so i had some idea of what i wanted and didn't want. i have a contracter that i use for other things, who was here and helped give me an idea of what i could do and what other people did in my type of house, as far as the layout is concerned.
appliances came first, bc when they design your layout/cabinets etc, they need to know measurements and how much space they are working with. so we ordered our applainces back in july, but they are not being delivered until next month.
the contracter sent me to a cabinet designer/showroom that he often works with. the cabinet designer came to my house, measured, talked to me about what i want/don't want and then he went back and emailed me pictures of a potential layout. once i got the email, it was pretty much exactly what i was looking for. we tweaked the designs etc and we picked out what color/type of cabinets ect.
that was 1st.
next we picked out granite. the contracter and cabinet guy sent me to a fabricator... i also checked out two others that were recommended to me, and 3 granite yards. i *knew* my granite once i saw it and in that moment, the entire look of the kitchen came together in my mind.
then i went to pick out flooring and backsplash. we redid our bathrooms recently, so i knew where i wanted to look/what was out there already etc.
that's where we are now... all that's left to do is pick out a sink, faucet and pendant lighting. thats the easy stuff
**what i have learned along the way: listen to people when they tell you, it's going to cost more than you anticipated lolol**

Message edited 9/15/2011 12:14:51 PM.

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

I went with Kraftmaid from Consumers in my last house. Not bad cabinets. I'd use them again for a smaller kitchen.

This time around I was building a designer kitchen and I wanted custom.

Went with Dymanic Kitchens & Furniture (vendor on here). Good product. Good price for what you get. My kitchen looks awesome. One day i'll take a pic.

I'd get a quote from one of the big box stores like Consumers on a Kraftmaid product... then see what the difference would be if you went custom. You might be surprised.

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

I'm in the process of getting my kitchen gut renovated as well. The kitchen needed a whole new layout so we hired an NKBA designer to come up with a few plans. I thought it was worth it because she also put together a bunch of plans (electrical, plumbing, elevation, etc.) which we can use to submit for permits.

If you're not changing the layout, then take the measurement of your kitchen and bring it to a wholesale cabinet dealer to give you ideas on cabinets and placement. They may be able to give you ideas on countertops, tiles and flooring too since that's their line of work.

I went to a wholesaler and he gave me some great tips and a great price on KraftMaid cabinets. I think it's 5600 total for cabinets which is just abit more than the Ikea stuff. I also priced out a semi-custom line called Starmark and the total was closer to 9k but quality was exceptional!

I also went to Lowes and wasn't too impressed with the designer staff or the cabinets offered there. And forget using their installers! They don't specialize in kitchen design so really can't give as much advice as a designer at a cabinet-only dealer...

Message edited 9/15/2011 2:17:36 PM.

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

dup...

Message edited 9/15/2011 2:17:25 PM.

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

Re: Kitchen Remodel help

My name is Keri Kazel and I am an Architect as well as a vendor here.

Please call me as I think I can help to steer you in the right direction.

My phone number is 631-874-2925 and my email is [email protected].

Also check out the website www.peraginemillwork.com for some additional kitchen ideas. This is my husbands Millwork company. Together, we may be able to get you started in the right direction.

I know how daunting the process can be in the beginning. Please call us for a consult!

I hope to hear from you....Keri Kazel, Architect PC

Re: Kitchen Remodel help