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Kitchen Remodel Experience
Kitchen Remodel Experience
I thought I would share this remodel experience so others might learn from our experience. We admit to being total amatuers but we do "get 'er done" and this ain't the first time.
The funny thing is this project (or nightmare) started out with a simple..."let's get granite countertops" comment from the wife and a loving "fuget about it" from me...but then as I considered our likely relocation this year and the propect of selling a house with tile counetertops that are getting old and worn...I thought "maybe this IS the right time to do it...it will help the house sell and we can enjot them ourselves meanwhile"...the relo isn't a sure thing yet....so here goes.
Phase one- everything os Okazay....
But, we have to remove the countertops so the granite guys can do thorough templating and measuring...(we didn't want to pay them to remove the old ones)...so....OUT WITH THE OLD...
But then we realize that there is not enough clearance to slide the granite under the old tile backsplash so...we have to remove the bottom row of tiles all around the kitchen...and guess what...the drywall comes with them...
So now we are redoing walls too....cool, I haven't done drywall in a long time.....
Let's see....screws or nails....whatever...
and more....
Where the hell is that Granite anyway?....ahhh-it comes tomorrow....more to come....wish us luck...
The funny thing is this project (or nightmare) started out with a simple..."let's get granite countertops" comment from the wife and a loving "fuget about it" from me...but then as I considered our likely relocation this year and the propect of selling a house with tile counetertops that are getting old and worn...I thought "maybe this IS the right time to do it...it will help the house sell and we can enjot them ourselves meanwhile"...the relo isn't a sure thing yet....so here goes.
Phase one- everything os Okazay....
But, we have to remove the countertops so the granite guys can do thorough templating and measuring...(we didn't want to pay them to remove the old ones)...so....OUT WITH THE OLD...
But then we realize that there is not enough clearance to slide the granite under the old tile backsplash so...we have to remove the bottom row of tiles all around the kitchen...and guess what...the drywall comes with them...
So now we are redoing walls too....cool, I haven't done drywall in a long time.....
Let's see....screws or nails....whatever...
and more....
Where the hell is that Granite anyway?....ahhh-it comes tomorrow....more to come....wish us luck...
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
Oh Sherban, you know that is how these projects always go. I can't wait to see what your granite looks like!
We just re-did our kitchen. I love it. It was done months ago and I still don't have the backsplash done. I am not sold on anything. It seems like everything goes from too boring to too busy with nothing in between.
I will be especially curious to see what you get! Maybe I will be inspired!
Gina
We just re-did our kitchen. I love it. It was done months ago and I still don't have the backsplash done. I am not sold on anything. It seems like everything goes from too boring to too busy with nothing in between.
I will be especially curious to see what you get! Maybe I will be inspired!
Gina
Sherban,It's always more then you think it's going to be! I enjoy remodel stuff. I'm curious as to why you used drywall rather then cement backer board. Cement board is totally impervious to moisture and virtually never grows mold. I've gotten to believe in it for any areas where there is water. Some jurisdictions it's code required in any damp areas.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
JT- Gotta remember we are anticipating a relo....
I used drywall because that is what was already there and with a "partial remodel project" like this....matching what is already there is important to control the scope of the project....thickness materials...etc...
If we were thinking of retiring in this house our decisions would have been alot different...but we are planning to be out in less than a year.
We will leave this kitchen in much better shape than it was before we started! I HOPE!
I used drywall because that is what was already there and with a "partial remodel project" like this....matching what is already there is important to control the scope of the project....thickness materials...etc...
If we were thinking of retiring in this house our decisions would have been alot different...but we are planning to be out in less than a year.
We will leave this kitchen in much better shape than it was before we started! I HOPE!
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
I've been meaning to remodel my kitchen for at least five years, but I keep spending the money on vacations! Maybe you'll inspire me to finally get going on it. I have no home improvement skills though, and would have to contract the whole thing out...one reason I keep putting it off.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Thanks for the insight Sherban!
We are in this house 13 years and the kitchen is just NOW coming to the top of the list... you know, cars, kids, 2 colleges at same time, vacations, etc... I have been to the kitchen design center as well as the 'stone' store. Mine will be more of a gutting and as a fellow DIYer,it took me 6 months just to go to speak to a design specialist. I will contract the work out for the most part and that is difficult to grasp.
As I move thru this process I will try to keep the 'surprise' factor in mind as problems arise. Right now before it all gets going I am finding it exciting and invigorating!
Can't wait to see more of your hard work and especially the granite.
GOOD LUCK!
We are in this house 13 years and the kitchen is just NOW coming to the top of the list... you know, cars, kids, 2 colleges at same time, vacations, etc... I have been to the kitchen design center as well as the 'stone' store. Mine will be more of a gutting and as a fellow DIYer,it took me 6 months just to go to speak to a design specialist. I will contract the work out for the most part and that is difficult to grasp.
As I move thru this process I will try to keep the 'surprise' factor in mind as problems arise. Right now before it all gets going I am finding it exciting and invigorating!
Can't wait to see more of your hard work and especially the granite.
GOOD LUCK!
[quote="sherban"]
I used drywall because that is what was already there and with a "partial remodel project" like this....matching what is already there is important to control the scope of the project....thickness materials...etc...
Hey, man, I'm the guy that sings a jingle to the tune of the old Campbell's Soup " Soup and Sandwich" except my jingle goes "Caulk and Putty, Caulk and Putty, Chalk and Putty are my buddies" Remodel work is often done with the path of least resistance.
I used drywall because that is what was already there and with a "partial remodel project" like this....matching what is already there is important to control the scope of the project....thickness materials...etc...
Hey, man, I'm the guy that sings a jingle to the tune of the old Campbell's Soup " Soup and Sandwich" except my jingle goes "Caulk and Putty, Caulk and Putty, Chalk and Putty are my buddies" Remodel work is often done with the path of least resistance.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
Way to go - looking great 
As you know we are in the middle of a full kitchen reno as well (you can follow along at our blog www.onawhimstjohn.wordpress.com) so I fully understand what you are going through and can't wait to see it all come together so please post pictures
Pia
As you know we are in the middle of a full kitchen reno as well (you can follow along at our blog www.onawhimstjohn.wordpress.com) so I fully understand what you are going through and can't wait to see it all come together so please post pictures
Pia
Realtor - St John Properties
"Let's see....screws or nails....whatever... "
Ahhh...I think my lawyer needs to talk to your lawyer. You seem to be committing copyright infringement on my Umbrella Company, Half-Assed Industries. The Half-Assed Carpentey Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HAA owns the right to phrases such as "Let's see....screws or nails....whatever... "
I'll see you in court.
Ahhh...I think my lawyer needs to talk to your lawyer. You seem to be committing copyright infringement on my Umbrella Company, Half-Assed Industries. The Half-Assed Carpentey Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HAA owns the right to phrases such as "Let's see....screws or nails....whatever... "
I'll see you in court.