I shared recently that we were targeting our kitchen remodel next. When I say "recently" I mean I mentioned it here on the blog about 3 and a half years ago!!!. Practically yesterday right?
We decided that if we waited until we can actually afford it and have the time to do it, we'd never start. So we're going to start this year. We'll phase it in and get creative on living through the renovation. Of course, we'll save a ton by doing all the work ourselves.
The project will substantially be a gut-job, down to studs in some places. Stick with me and I'll share all the sorted details as we go.
The Initial Plan - 10,000 foot View
- Convert the U-Shape to a Galley Style
- Remove the horrible, energy sucking, single-pane greenhouse window and install an exterior door at the far end to a private courtyard (future).
- Move the Refrigerator and Pantry at the far end to open the space
- Remove the soffit to allow for taller, upper cabinets (The soffit is that boxy drywall thing above our current cabinets.)
- Replace the stove and add a built in microwave w/ exhaust fan
- New cabinets, counter-tops, and back splash
Easy! Just these six things and we'll have a new kitchen. That should run about a hundred bucks and take a weekend to complete,... right?
The Current Layout
Challenges
- There is a flexible water line feeding the 'fridge from the sink. It's fed through the base cabinets.
- The existing floor tile is nearly house wide, except under the cabinets. Removing the far end cabinets for an exterior doorway will leave bare, concrete floor.
- The existing floor tile is no longer made.
- The "Window" to the family room that we want to widen in a load bearing (originally exterior) wall
- Plumbing comes up through the floor nearly at the front of the sink cabinet making storage in that section nearly impossible.
- Current electrical circuiting is a nonsensical mess.
- We don't have $10k in the bank
Planning the Plan
So here's the initial, rough outline of research, decision making, and planning to work through:
Locate similar floor tile / solve blank area to determine if added door / U-shape to galley is possible
Decide on exterior door
Possible to integrate mullions with internal blinds?
trim style?
Investigate soffits for removal
Open to attic above or Cosmetic only?
Is there any ductwork in the way?
Feasible to remove to gain height for taller upper cabinets?
Measure for:
future stove / best possible to accommodate
Refrigerator
Microwave hood
Work on initial layout plan / cabinets
Workflow / change layout.
Move pantry & fridge back (West) to open space
Hire a planner?
IKEA measure / plan?
Style / Color
Any Glass doors?
Any open shelving?
End caps? Pony wall?
Investigate / plan for enlarged window / pass-through opening
Will require a header (Type / size?)
Temporary wall to support during construction
Counter top or window trim style on bottom?
Trim window or drywall?
Counter tops?
Temporary / construction etc.
Finance?
Material?
Slate
Solid Surface - Quartz?
Butcher Block
Laminate?
Demo plan
Disposal
Stardust Bldg supply?
Electrical
Possible relocation of counter top convenience outlets
Map existing circuits
Plan for GFCI protection
Plan for relocation of 220V Range hookup
Lighting Plan
Ceiling (cans?)
Task Lighting / Under cabinet?
3 way switch to new door?
Exterior Light at new door?
Dedicated circuit to refrigerator
Dedicated circuit to microwave
Any circuits affected by door wall opening or enlarging window?
Want to add any high tech touches?
Relocate switching? (move living room to other side of wall?
Plumbing
Solve waterline to fridge - current braided cable runs from sink - under all cabinets
Likely plumb in-wall / over door & around with PEX?
Unlikely cut into slab and go underground at door area
Move water feed lines away from front of sink cabinet?
Plan to re-plumb dishwasher 100% (possible replace)
Sink. - Farmhouse style preferred by sweetie. Feasible?
Mechanical?
Any duct work issues? In soffits? Raise into attic?
Relocate range hood fan exhaust
Drywall repair
Likely lots of issues following pluming, electrical, soffit work
Appliances (Style / color?)
Microwave (required - or plan for future with $$$ available)
Stove (to match MW? Size?)
Fridge later
Dishwasher later (but ASAP)
Back Splash
Method / material?
Tile north (Sink & "window" wall. (how high?)
Brick vaneer south wall.
West wall? (new door?)
Color / style?
Subway- -ish ( white may clash with off-white cabinets)
Something to pull color from floor tile?
Grout color?
Construction Schedule
Financially necessary phasing
Avoid attic work in hot months (electrical!, soffits?, can lights) - nasty insulation
Time off work for a blitz week? / extra during 2016 holidays?
What can be done ASAP?
Plan for loss of kitchen during construction
Dish washing
cooking
Any tools needed that I do not have?
Lift for header beam install? (Rent? Harbor Freight cheapie?)
Replace Circular gauge for roto-zip (Stolen)?
May need a hole-hog (borrow? Pawn shop? Craig's list?)
4' beam level
Cordless set is aging. Should make it through
Financial
Consider 6 mos same as cash on large ticket items
Pay as we go on some items
Any manufacturer sponsorship interest?
Anything we can reuse / sell / donate for tax credit?
Millions from the Lottery / Appearance of unknown benefactor that will invite us to a spooky house to hear the reading of a will ?
Discovery of a pirates treasure during demo?
Any recovered material from bldg supplies that will fit.
For now, we're visiting stores and researching stuff. Today we looked at some appliances to get I ideas. Next up, a couple tile shops.
Of course, I'm playing with online planners too.
What do you think of the plan so far? Any ideas?