Author Topic: update my kitchen?  (Read 1062 times)

AlanStache

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update my kitchen?
« on: March 13, 2021, 06:55:37 PM »

I have a classic 1960's knotty pine style kitchen.  I have grown accustomed to the look but realtors say I will get a good 15-30k more if I update the look, and I might even like the change. I may be looking to sell in the not to distant future, not sure, its complicated. 

What I would do:
>> paint cabinets
>> replace original electric cooktop and oven
>> replace countertops
>> probably replace sink/faucet
>> replace floor vinyl (have heard there would likely be asbestos glue so would take precautions.)
>> maybe replace dishwasher - works fine but is older and a bit loud, not sure.
>> (refrigerator is fine would not replace.)

I would do the work myself, I think I can do it all. Last year repainted similar fake wood pine wall paneling, sanded then applied  99 coats of primer and it looks good.  Years back I replaced a kitchen sink, have installed many ceiling lights and fans, replaced wooden deck stairs, even added a bathroom vent - cutting a hole in my roof was a big moment... 

Am thinking I would take next week off work, will be slow anyway.  The suck is having to wait for primer and paint to dry but would be nice to have some down time.  I know someone who could help me with colors and decoration choices, I dont really trust myself with that aspect :-)  Last year I priced out materials to be under 5k, could pay that in cash.

This has been on my mind for some time, I think I need to just pull the trigger and do it. 

None of it seems hard, just time consuming and I might need to watch some youtube tutorials.  I live alone and can plastic off the area during sanding and do meal prep elsewhere as needed.

Thoughts, am I missing something?

MoseyingAlong

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Re: update my kitchen?
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2021, 07:03:41 PM »
Seems like a thorough plan.

I say "go for it!" Did something similar a while ago and really enjoyed my "new" kitchen. And I'm sure helped when I sold it a few years later.

mozar

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Re: update my kitchen?
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2021, 07:27:04 PM »
I did exactly this two years ago and it was so worth it. Especially because I found a leak in the pipes that had been slowly rotting my floor for years, maybe decades.
That's my only caution is that you might find something unexpected.
I had a very short time span to work in and I had to delay for a week because of the leak.

I took off the doors off the cabinets and painted them, that took a a few days because they had to dry between coats.
Then I took out all the lower cabinets, appliances, and counters. I kept all my appliances. New ones were not in the budget. I was required to upgrade my electrical and that was a surprise $1500 for some gfci plugs.
I also had vinyl tiles and it was very sticky. Under that was some sort of rotting wood, maybe OSB? Then the rotting subfloor which had to be replaced.

After that I put half inch 4X8 on top of the subfloor, then lvp. I think it was cortec. Once the floor was done I had to fix the drywall underneath the sink.

Then the question is how are you going to get a sink hole in your countertop. Are you going to do it yourself? A professional? I got butcher block and decided to make the hole myself. I was going to do an undermount but I did such a bad job that I decided to do an overmount to cover the mess. I mounted a new sink with new faucet and I reattached the plumbing.

If you are changing the countertops I highly recommend getting a new sink and faucet. It will look dated and weird if you put them back.

Finally I could put everything back together and it looks great. It was a lot of work though and I recommend doing it over a short time span in order to get it over with.
« Last Edit: March 13, 2021, 07:41:00 PM by mozar »

AlanStache

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Re: update my kitchen?
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2021, 08:16:51 AM »
thanks, yeah I have ran into the unexpected half way into a project, it can be fun....

I will check the crawl space under the kitchen.  I dont intend to touch the electrical in this project other than to swap the oven and cook top.  (Electrical may be a separate phase in owning this house.)

Was thinking I would do a drop in sink, no butcher block, keep it simple.