Q. Here is a list of things that need to be updated in an old house. My questions is how do you put them in order? Which ones should be done before the others? Some seem obvious, like do the landscaping last.
Bonus question - How much will all this cost? I have seen these remodels done on tv shows for budgets running $30k - 80k. How much in San Francisco area though?
1. Kitchen remodel (cabinets, counters, appliances, floors)
2. New siding
3. Install home security system
4. Window replacement throughout
5. Bathroom remodels
6. Living Room extension
7. New patio
8. New landscaping (lawn, shrubs, flower beds, sprinkler system)
9. Install recessed lighting and ceiling fixtures
10. New flooring and carpet throughout
Thanks for these great answers! Lots of great advice which I will save in my planning book. I wish I could give you all 10 points each.
The quotes we're getting in my area are so high! $9k for a small bathroom remodel, basic fixtures. $1k per each window (bedroom casement). Wish we could do more DIY but we work and have limited skills or family helpers with time/skills too.
A. I hate to bum you out, but I'm a professional construction estimator and scheduler and I have the most recent labor and material cost index book here on my desk. Reality check is that labor for remodeling costs 40% more in the San Francisco area than the average in the rest of the country. You would be lucky to get all that work done for less than $125,000. Just a kitchen remodel if you are hiring it all out could easily set you back $50,000.
i would recommend that you assess first how long you plan to stay in the house and what the value is of other houses in the neighborhood. If you invest more in the house than the average value in your neighborhood you will never get even a portion of it back when you sell. If money is tight, forgo the major costly projects like extending the living room. Window replacement will save you money on heating and cooling, and it tends to make a mess so have that done first.
Don;t let styling issues cause you to rip out perfectly functional bathrooms and kitchen components as long as they are clean and work well. Think hard about how much really NEEDS to be done and how much you are planning on changing just because you think it will be more stylish. Remember, what is stylish on the home shows this year will seem funky 5 years from now. Not all that long ago everybody on the home decor shows wanted laminate floors and white or cherry kitchen cabinets. Now those are considered dated. Keep it simple and only replace what is necessary and functional.
Bear in mind that old homes tend to have hidden issues like deteriorated plumbing and wiring, structural weaknesses and problems like asbestos, lead paint and water damage. Be sure you allow for a $10,000 to $20,000 reserve fund to deal with such things as they arise.
"Rehab Addict" on HGTV and the DIY channel is a good show to watch for anyone with a really old urban house. Contractor Nicole rehabs old homes in Minneapolis and she does a great job of reconditioning and saving existing components without the expense of ripping everything out.
Personally, I don't think recessed lighting should be high on your priorities. It tends to be costly in old houses and generally is not worth the expense. I note that few people actually use it much in their homes once they install it. Things like flooring, landscaping and fixture replacements are jobs you can learn to do yourself to save money.
Also, you will save thousands of $ and get much better results if you invest in a membership to Angie's List to find recommended contractors in your area. I have had tremendously good experiences with every contractor I have found through them while doing a number of remodels over the past year. Many offer coupons and specials and you can read first hand reports from customers on their services and pricing. I have gotten quotes for quality low-E replacement windows for under $400 each through people I found on there.
How much should I expect to spend on new kitchen cabinets?
Q. I'm on a shoestring budget for our kitchen remodel. It is a tiny galley kitchen, with cabinets (top and bottom) running about 12.5 feet along one wall. Is it possible to find cabinets that would fit this space for under $2000 (including labor)? Thanks for any input!
I should say - I don't care how plain and simple they are. Just going for a clean, updated look with no frills.
A. That is a tight budget but doable if you dont include tops in that price. You have to forget about all the bells and whistles and not be afraid of that horrible curse word "particle board' which by the way is far superior to plywood cabinets. The other thing is you have to stay away from the big orange who only wants your little green. They charge full list price. You would not pay list price - MSRP - sticker price for your new car so dont pay it for cabinets.
There are discount kitchen dealers in every major city. Most everyone today discounts from list. Do not be tempted by those ads that say all complete wood cherry kitchen for $895. What that is would be cheap junk formaldehyde and sulfur infested Chinese made junk. Fall for these and you will be putting your families health at great risk.
Want to completely remodel kitchen. How best to start? Where to go first?
Q. Is it ok just to ask cabinet company people to just come out and give me estimates? How do I know if I am getting an accurate estimate? How many estimates should I request? How much information do I need to give the estimator? I am concerned about "offending" companies by asking them give me estimates then not following through with the work. We are planning a complete kitchen remodel, floor, cabinets, fixtures appliances. Where should we start to get the best estimate?
A. I used to design kitchens. This is the best advice I can give you:
Establish a budget for your work BEFORE you start. If you have $10,000 or $100,000 to spend, know that amount and work with it. Being unsure of your total possible expenditure is the fastest way to get ignored by designers and contractors. A kitchen is not a cheap room re-do.
Investigate what you like and what you want your room to look like in advance. Designers need parameters to work with. No one knows your tastes and desires bettter than you. Having any less than an idea of what you want to project to be like finished is a sure way to be disappointed in the outcome.
Know the scope of the work you want to do. new cabinets? countertops? Flooring, wallcovering, lighting, appliances, etc?? do you need to upgrade your plumbing, wiring, ventilation? These and many other questions should be answered first. If your budget doesn't allow for any of these items, you may have to set your sights lower.
Hire a designer.. a kitchen designer. This is someone that you PAY to handle drawings and design. a qualified designer will help you answer all of these questions and give you a good idea if your budget is close to adequate. Expect to pay this person and be sure that you are comfortable with them. In many cases, the designer will credit their fees if you buy the project from them. Hire a CKD if you can (Certified Kitchen Designer)
With drawings and specs in hand, you can look at different types of products and talk intelligently to prospective contractors to handle your work. You will be working on an even plane with all parties involved since there is one set of parameters with which to work.
A kitchen renovation is a BIG project and can be a lot of fun, but there are also heartaches involved. It takes time, can be messy and you will be eating a lot of meals out. Expect the project to take a little time and be patient.
A new kitchen will make life much better in the long run and will increase your home's value. It's a good investment.
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