We finally decided to tackle renovating our kitchen the DIY way thanks to all you helpful internet strangers who convinced us it's possible over on this thread:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/do-it-yourself-forum!/considering-diy-kitchen-reno-convince-us-we-areare-not-crazy/We moved into our 1930s cottage with a 1970s addition last summer. The kitchen is in the original part of the home. The room is about 10x9 divided by doors in the center of each long wall. The small u-shaped kitchen is tucked into one half. There's not much counter space that's not a corner or used by the electric stove top and sink. You can't open the dishwasher if someone is cooking at the stove. The other half of the room is empty except for the fridge on the back wall with an odd section of above fridge sized cabinets that run the whole wall. The doors make it a pretty poor layout despite the size of the space.
We plan to knock down a wall to make the adjoining unused room part of a long galley style kitchen. We now plan to do the demo ourselves including ripping up and replacing the hardwood floors. We had wanted to refinish them, but they're too thin to sand again. We'll also build and hang the cabinets which we plan to order from thecabinetjoint. We'll hire out trades for the new gas line, the hood ventilation, the counter install, and adding an outside tap to the front of the house (since it's the only time we plan to open the front wall).
Near term to do list:
1. Find out if the wall is load bearing. We don't think it is, but like
@Radagast mentioned it could be tricky to tell in an older house.
2. Interview trades so we have an idea of costs and timing
3. Order cabinet samples (done)
4. Order flooring samples
5. Demo odd shaped closet in room #2 to allow for more accurate measurements
6. Demo drywall from wall to take a look at structure etc
Other projects we're tackling:
1. Add rigid foam insulation to crawlspace walls
2. Put ventilation fans in the bathrooms
3. Build a fence down the side of the property closest to the road
I attached our draft layout. Part of me wants to do wall ovens, but I think we'd loose our pantry space. Instead we're planning on a gas slide in range. I'll post pictures of the current kitchen this weekend.