Kitchen renovation

[Ron J]

My wife and I are considering some kitchen renovations. Does anyone know of any reliable/reasonable contractors in the Edmonton/St. Albert area? Any suggestions on where to start would be appreciated. Thanks.

[nsmitchell]

Before you get started you and your wife need to decide about layout and all of the things you want in the kitchen. Take your measurements and plot them out ( many stores have a special grid paper for this. Once you have a plan then figure out what cabinets and accessories you want and if you are changing appliances etc. You don't need to be a designer to plan a kitchen. Write down what you like about your kitchen now and what you want to change and then what you'd like to have. Lastly figure out what you want to spend as you can go up in cost very quickly.

Good luck.

[CNP]

Pro-Level Construction and Renovation. Mobile 780-884-7586.

[sewerrat]

You can actually go on the IKEA website and design your new kitchen on there it will give a virtual look. Then atleast you get a good idea.

[guysmiley]

Originally Posted by sewerrat

You can actually go on the IKEA website and design your new kitchen on there it will give a virtual look. Then atleast you get a good idea.

For a small fee they will send someone to your house and draw up some designs right at your kitchen table. That's what we did and it was money well spent.

Even if you go with a different cabinet maker you still get to keep the plans. The 3D renderings will be helpful to visualize your options.

[mcreg]

Call the local "Decor Cabinet" dealer. We have used Decor Cabinets in the past and they offer full service -from design to install. Excellent product and truly professional sales & service personnel.

[Ron J]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. Good advice and very much appreciated.

[Tungsten,]

Ive been in the kitchen business for over 20 yrs,I always tell people to buy from a place that makes there own product.Turn around time for any issues at the end is much faster.
Most complaints I here after completion is space between island and fridge and the like.Fridges is some cases can be recessed back so they end up flush with the cabinets giving the appearance of a high end expensive refrigerator.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Go talk to your banker for lots of $$$ first, a kitchen reno is one of the most expensive changes you can make to your home. Moving electrial and plumbing along with expensive counter tops, then throwing away the quality hardwood cupboards and replacing them with cheap white particle board junk is not a good investment in my books.

[Mackinaw]

Originally Posted by Ron J

My wife and I are considering some kitchen renovations. Does anyone know of any reliable/reasonable contractors in the Edmonton/St. Albert area? Any suggestions on where to start would be appreciated. Thanks.

contact.. AO member. willowtrail


mack

[Wes_G]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

Go talk to your banker for lots of $$$ first, a kitchen reno is one of the most expensive changes you can make to your home. Moving electrial and plumbing along with expensive counter tops, then throwing away the quality hardwood cupboards and replacing them with cheap white particle board junk is not a good investment in my books.

That "cheap white particle board junk" is likely replacing cheap plywood junk! Even cabinets from 30 years ago only used solid wood on the doors and face frames and plywood for the rest. Given the choice I would much rather work with a particle core for the boxes as its far more stable. You can still buy solid wood doors like you always could. Plus a kitchen reno adds the most value to an older house, so its a great investment no matter what materials you use.

[2 Tollers]

Get the 3 D model on your kitchen with your ideas on layout, shop around and settle on counter top and sink type (under mount, dual), figure out the type of appliances (range top and oven -- also locations), get an idea on cabinets that you like and do not. Moving electrical is generally easy. Plumbing can be difficult especially if your basement is finished. Get an idea on flooring - panel, tile, heated or not. Once you have all this information you can get a couple of kitchen builders to give pricing. A couple kitchen gut and renewal is not cheap and takes time so think through where you will set up you alternate food prep area for several months. We times ours when we could use the BBQ, lots of tin foil and paper plates.

[Kos]

Measure your kitchen as exact as possible, go to IKEA and look in the kitchen department for the eldest co-worker with a nice Swedish ascent. She is very good (actually she doing all the showroom layouts.
If you don't want to install it by yourself, which is really doable, get there recommended installation company. They are not the cheapest but good.
You're ending with a fine kitchen for a decent price.
The quality of the IKEA kitchen is better than most locally made cabinets for a much better price.
I installed a lot costume made kitchens and if you didn't payed for the highest quality, they where pretty much crap compared to IKEA.

[Nova]

I'm just nearing completion of my kitchen using ikea products. Very happy with how it looks and the ease of assembly and installation. The online kitchen builder took some getting used to, but it was certainly handy to have while I was considering different layouts.

In shopping for a quartz countertop, all the dealers I stopped at commented that they are seeing a lot more ikea kitchens, they probably account for 1/4 of the installs they do. They all commented that they are a quality product, their only downfall is the plastic legs are a bit wimpy for supporting a heavy countertop.

One thing to keep in mind if you do go the Ikea route, they do their kitchen sale 2 or 3 times a year. The most basic deal is $100 gift card for every $1000 spent. They also do tiered deal where you can get 20% back on a gift card if you buy 3 appliances. I've read somewhere that their cheapest range hood is like $50 and considered an appliance, so you could buy 3 and increase your cash back substantially. In my case I used the gift card to buy the handles, hinges and some other finishing pieces.

[Jamie]

Straight up.. Ikea will work for buyers in any house under $800,000
The kitchen design is way more important. People want a large Island, no raised breakfast bar and and a extra sink if possible. Extra storage in the island is very desirable. Oh yeah, Gas stove stop, double wall ovens and French door fridge. Granite is a must.

Jamie

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by Nova

I'm just nearing completion of my kitchen using ikea products. Very happy with how it looks and the ease of assembly and installation. The online kitchen builder took some getting used to, but it was certainly handy to have while I was considering different layouts.

In shopping for a quartz countertop, all the dealers I stopped at commented that they are seeing a lot more ikea kitchens, they probably account for 1/4 of the installs they do. They all commented that they are a quality product, their only downfall is the plastic legs are a bit wimpy for supporting a heavy countertop.

One thing to keep in mind if you do go the Ikea route, they do their kitchen sale 2 or 3 times a year. The most basic deal is $100 gift card for every $1000 spent. They also do tiered deal where you can get 20% back on a gift card if you buy 3 appliances. I've read somewhere that their cheapest range hood is like $50 and considered an appliance, so you could buy 3 and increase your cash back substantially. In my case I used the gift card to buy the handles, hinges and some other finishing pieces.

How much did it cost you?

[Kos]

Originally Posted by Nova

....
In shopping for a quartz countertop, all the dealers I stopped at commented that they are seeing a lot more ikea kitchens, they probably account for 1/4 of the installs they do. They all commented that they are a quality product, their only downfall is the plastic legs are a bit wimpy for supporting a heavy countertop.
...

I never used the plastic legs. I always make sturdy base from 3/4" plywood and screw it to the floor. That is much easier, faster and stable.

[RBI]

First thing to understand when redoing your kitchen , is there are a lot of decisions to be made .
The size of your budget works with that directly .
So that is pretty much your first decision.
Your budget can/will make some of your decisions for you .

" Custom " can be a very expensive word

I've done several kitchens from Ikea ,( and others ) and will say that they( Ikea ) have certainly got some good ideas.

Their upper cabinets are now 15" deep , compared with the industry standard at 12" deep . for an example of one

I think they are a really good place to start your look .

You can get some real quick generalized pricing of price per running ft of several different levels/grades of kitchens .

Very quickly you will be able to see where you'll land with your given budget .

And certainly, do your research , as to what options ( lots you're probably not even aware of ) are available , number of them may be out of the budget , but nothing worse when doing a big reno , then finding something that you would loved to have had , but you didn't know about it , or could have fit it in if you had done your cabinets a little bit differently etc.

And like any big reno , expect to go over your budget ( very easy to do in a kitchen ) , so budget accordingly.

And truly understand the difference between what you need and what you want .

Hope it all works out well for you .

[RBI]

Originally Posted by Kos

I never used the plastic legs. I always make sturdy base from 3/4" plywood and screw it to the floor. That is much easier, faster and stable.

Yes , their legs are great for easy leveling , but the plywood route is certainly stronger ( not that the plastic one haven't been proven strong ) , but a couple yrs ago , Ikea changed their toe kicks ( to crap ) , so the plywood route , although more work ,( painting etc )is , I believe to be a better end product .

[Nova]

Originally Posted by Newview01

How much did it cost you?

My total Ikea purchase was a little over $6k. That's for roughly a 10x10 U shaped setup. Went with the Bodbyn Grey. I could post some pictures in a few days when I'm off work.

I should mention, the only thing I didn't like about my purchase is the UTRUSTA corner base cabinet pull out. It seemed like a good idea in the store, but I didn't pay attention to just how much of a waste of space it is.

[ghostguy6]

Originally Posted by Mackinaw

contact.. AO member. willowtrail


mack

He did my kitchen and Im very happy with it. Also redid my bathroom and deck. I would highly recommend him.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by Nova

My total Ikea purchase was a little over $6k. That's for roughly a 10x10 U shaped setup. Went with the Bodbyn Grey. I could post some pictures in a few days when I'm off work.

I should mention, the only thing I didn't like about my purchase is the UTRUSTA corner base cabinet pull out. It seemed like a good idea in the store, but I didn't pay attention to just how much of a waste of space it is.

Interesting. How much is the counter top going to cost you?

We're looking at a 14 x 14 L shaped kitchen with an island and 3 bathroom vanities, $17k all in according to the quote.

[Big Grey Wolf]

A good estimator was $1000 per lineal foot for kitchen, that is for average quality cabinets, not exotic woods or counter tops.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

A good estimator was $1000 per lineal foot for kitchen, that is for average quality cabinets, not exotic woods or counter tops.

That is an outrageous price.

My quotes were all around $360 a ft, and the lowballer was at $310, and these are painted cabinets which are usually a bit more money.

[Tungsten,]

Ya $400 a ft for upper and lower is about average. Pending on drawer slides what kind of crowm etc...

[plmnnkoqaz]

Originally Posted by Newview01

Interesting. How much is the counter top going to cost you?

We're looking at a 14 x 14 L shaped kitchen with an island and 3 bathroom vanities, $17k all in according to the quote.

If that’s just the price for the granite, you should go and see atlas granite in Edmonton. My counter were ~3000 for 10’ by 8’ in a unique stone that was easily 3x the price at other places.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Sorry, should have clarified, $1000/ft is all costs in including installation and services, not just cabinet purchase.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by plmnnkoqaz

If that’s just the price for the granite, you should go and see atlas granite in Edmonton. My counter were ~3000 for 10’ by 8’ in a unique stone that was easily 3x the price at other places.

$17k is for everything, not just countertop, and just an arborite counter.

[Newview01]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

Sorry, should have clarified, $1000/ft is all costs in including installation and services, not just cabinet purchase.

My quotes are all in as well. Supply and install of bases, lowers, countertop, uppers for an 8' ceiling, and crown molding. 5 year warranty I believe.

[Kos]

Originally Posted by RBI

Yes , their legs are great for easy leveling , but the plywood route is certainly stronger ( not that the plastic one haven't been proven strong ) , but a couple yrs ago , Ikea changed their toe kicks ( to crap ) , so the plywood route , although more work ,( painting etc )is , I believe to be a better end product .

You are right, the new toe kicks are pretty crappy. But you still can use them. Just attach them with a drop of silicon.