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?