I’ve added a few more pictures to the Google Picasa Web Album of my DIY masterpiece:
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| Kitchen Remodel |
Three years later and I’m still working on it. I do stuff on weekends, when I have both the time and money. My aversion to taking on debt to do this kitchen relocation has really slowed it down. But, I must say I am happy I didn’t take the bait 4 years ago when a mortgage broker was telling me the house value was $335k. I think $180-200K is in the ballpark for the current market. Even with a sharp drop in value my mortgage is still right side up with equity left. And there it shall stay until I’m ready to put this house on the market or possibly re-fi to lower the term of the loan. That’s at least several years off.
In any case, I’ve saved at least $15K by doing most of the work myself. I had several estimates from various local construction/remodeling companies that ran from $28k to $42k. I’ll be a little over $10k all in, mostly for materials, plus some extra to complete the rest of the work. Since I did the bulk of the labor myself I was able to afford better appliances and granite counter tops. I’ve paid for professional help with the wiring and called on friends and family with the needed skills for help with various carpentry and plumbing tasks that were above my skill level. I’ve made a few mistakes along the way, but overall I’m very happy with the results and the new larger kitchen, living room and open floor plan. It was sort of like an old-fashioned barn raising in slow motion where friends come over and help.
Here’s what we have left to do in the new kitchen:
- Crown molding
- Back splash
- Ceiling light fixtures and ceiling fan
- Over and under cabinet lights.
We have the ceiling boxes already installed in the kitchen for two track light systems, a ceiling fan, a dining room pendant and another pendant for the breakfast bar. We haven’t made the final choice, but some stuff at IKEA is looking good and priced right. The cabinet lighting wiring is roughed in, I just need to add the outlet box and plug and hide the wiring to the the under cabinet puck style lights.
That leaves the molding and back splash. I already have the molding material, I just need to motivate myself to do it. The back splash is more problematic since all style choices are referred to the boss (aka “the wife”) and she has not yet made a final choice. Plus, for some inexplicable reason, back splash tile is expensive! I got ceramic floor tile for $0.67/sq.ft., the back spalsh tile runs $10/sq. ft. and higher.
If you live outside the Tampa Bay area, be thankful because I probably would have talked you into coming over and helping out. 
Big thanks to all who did help!
