Kitchen

12/16/2012 at 8:26:22 PM

Hi A:

I would advise you to go to a kitchen centre. No, I am not talking about Home Depot! Or Rona! Or a box store!

Depending on what you want your kitchen to do and last, you will want to make sure that the construction is solid. Ask about Blume slides, soft closers, various options (we put a pull out cutting board in our spec homes), towel racks, microwave shelves, and wine racks. The list is endless, but the most basic item is construction. Is it all particle board? Are the doors plastic covered? How many coats of lacquer are there? What finishes are available? What kind of tops should I get? I would recommend standard arbourtie as it is very servicable and is availabe in a lot of choices. Oh yes, then there are the hundreds of handle choices!

We get our cabinets custom built from a small shop and they are priced no more than box store cabinets. However, if I need a 39 inch cabinet, then that is what I get, rather than be regulated to the standard 6 inch widths of production cabinets.

Cost? Just like anything else, it can vary a lot. Get references. Talk to two or three shops and outlets. Compare their construction and features. Then make up your mind. Somebody will say that dovetail drawers are the only way to go. Not necessary for medium use, but the drawers must be of quality construction. Blume slides look after that. They are full extension and support of the drawers. We put lower drawers wherever possible, because cubby cabinets are a pain. But they cost more.

Its your call. Spending $$$ on a kitchen will increase the value of your home. Having a GOOD kitchen planner will also increase the value of your home.

Its your choice, but when I build I spend $$$ on the flooring, front door entry, ensuite and the kitchen.

Merry Christmas.

Chuck

12/16/2012 at 8:38:38 PM

Average cost of a kitchen, from start to finish, including most if not all product, is approximately $17,000.00 or more!

It would take close to or a little longer than 6 weeks, depending on your choice of product.

Hope this helps!

12/16/2012 at 9:09:00 PM

A,

The preceeding both gave good advice.

Cost per hour isn't the question, it's more like what would the total kitchen renovation cost. This can vary considerably, depending on what your current kitchen looks like, the condition of items such as floor, electrical plumbing, etc. and what you envision for your dream kitchen. Also as was mentioned, the cost of material can go from economy brand to high end.

My suggestion is to do some research and even look through magazines to get a good idea of what you might want. From that, price out the main items such as flooring, counter top, sinks faucets, appliances etc. The actual labour won't vary too much but it comes down to getting reputable workers.

Remember too that some issues may not be apparent until the old items are removed. (what if the subfloor shows water stains, ... mice in the walls, ...walls aren't square or plumb, etc.)

Bottom line is to do your research and make a budget along with a wish list for the kitchen.

Best of luck

Mark

12/17/2012 at 9:50:35 AM

I'm afraid cost for time has little to do with the reno of a kitchen.

Your big dollars are going to be spent on the cabinets, counter tops. sink, faucets etc. all the things that make a kitchen pop.

Now, regarding the contracting end of things, you need a contractor with a great deal of experiance, as we are dealing with:

A} Design.

B) Contacts with top quality and reasonably priced custom cabinetry.

C) Plumbing.

D) Electrical.

E) Venting.

F) Flooring wether it be marble, ceramic, slate or wood.

G) If you are moving walls, you need a contractor that understands load bearing, and non load bearing. And how to deal with this aspect of the construction.

H) Lighting, this can make or break the finished product.

The list goes on and on. If your contractor is not experianced in all aspects of this type of project, the costs will climb, and the quality won't be there.

If you seperate all expenses and ask a contractor for cost based on time spent. You will pay for just that. No estimate. simply time spent. That includes time spent designing, ordering, picking up products and materials. There are no estimates with this type of structured contract. And only go this way if you know and trust the contractor.

Having said that, I have worked this way for a number of people I know and members of my club. But remember, they know me, and they know for a fact I am honest and do very good quality work and fine finishing. Unless you are in this position........get quotes and insist on referals.

Enjoy the holidays,

James Fram

12/17/2012 at 10:16:23 AM

There is two ways to update your kitchen.

1. To buy standart size cabinets from Stores like Home Depot or Chineese wholesale store, the second one is going to be a cheaper and quality is the same -"no good". But it is much cheaper. DIY or pay to a handymen. This is a cheaper way.

2. Order custom made kitchen. A lot of options, usually good quality, Free in house estimate -this a right way, but more $$$. Usually it is include cabinets, delivery and installation. Do not order countertop from the kitchen company. When the kitchen installed, go to countertop place and it will be about 20% cheaper.

And never pay by the hours to anybody!!! For any renovation!!!!!!!

Alex

Kitchen store

Ontario

12/17/2012 at 12:02:25 PM

Hello ..as you can see by the other responses, there are many specialists involved in a good kitchen renovation. And because of all the people and variables invovlved it would be very difficult to estimate a hourly kitchen construction team rate. New kitchen costs can vary greatly; on average our kitchen run

$ 15,000 to $ 25,000. However we have also had done some under $ 10,000 and others over $ 30,000.

The best way we recommend to start such a project is to visit a kitchen retail store. When you go to visit their showroom you should bring some pictures of your existing kitchen and a simple drawing of the room dimensions showing all door and window locations.

A good designer can enhance the look and functionality of your new kitchen as well as helping to control the costs of your project.

Many of the companies, like ourselves, do not charge for providing design and estimation services.

Regards John Deutekom P. Eng.

President Hawthorne Kitchens and Bathrooms

12/17/2012 at 1:54:32 PM

It will vary with the experience of the kitchen designer and or policy of the company they work for.

Some kitchen designers work for a kitchen dealer or represent a cabinet manufacturer. Some may have just started or they may have many years of experience. A dealer may carry several lines of cabinet brands that could change from time to time, and a cabinet manufacturer stays with the one brand they rep. If they represent a certain brand of cabinets they maybe somewhat limited to the choices that brand has to offer (sizes, colours, doors styles). Some brand manufactures do no customizing and some do some customization as opposed to a custom shop which customizes everything they do. Keep in mind a custom shop doesn't always have design skills, most need to be told what to do and will work from plans supplied to them.

If their knowledge is more limited to the cabinets then say - construction limitations, appliances, plumbing, electrical etc., their plan will be limited to their experience. Although some can work with carpenters or contractors who will help them plan projects.

As for the cost and time, that will vary to. In the nineties there was a shift to design fees which could vary from $500.00 to $1,500.00 and up. Some ask for this up front before starting, and some will ask for it when supplying plans. When you decide on the plans and if they are going to supply the cabinets will depend on whether the design fee can apply to the cabinet or renovation costs.

I would never think it is a good idea to pay anyone a fee unless they are willing to at least pay you a visit or you visit them to discuss your options and possible design ideas first. Look at their portfolio and ask for references.

I have been in the industry since the 80's as a kitchen designer, and I have worked in just about every situation from dealer to manufacture to custom shops. I now run my own renovation company and do it all, from designing the cabinets to the renovation, helping pick the appliances, tiles, counters etc. I will give a consultation to look at limitations and possibilities before charging for the design. Once I go to the plan stage I charge $120.00 hour, which for a typical kitchen can run around 4 to 6 hours. The plans are computer generated floor plans and perspectives along with colour renderings of the kitchen.

Ben Kuypers

12/17/2012 at 3:09:05 PM

Hi, I own a design and renovation business.

The cost do to a kitchen is usually by the job, not by the hour. I sub out the different people required to do the kitchen- cabinet maker, handyman, plumber, electrician, tile contractor etc....An average sized kitchen is approximately $20-$30,000 depending on the finishings and can take from 2-4 weeks to complete, again depending on what you choose.

The best way to start is to hire a designer to make sure that you utilize all the space and function!

12/17/2012 at 10:50:28 PM

It depends on the size of the project. I usually visit the site and discuss the options and layout, materials etc.

Len

12/19/2012 at 2:25:14 PM

Dear customer,

The kitchen renovation requires different skills for different areas and objects.

The length of the project depends from the scale of renovation.

Vladimir Kravchin

12/22/2012 at 12:14:25 PM

No one will work per hour for you. Have your kitchen design drawings, call couple contractors for free estimate or do it your self with couple of friends.

Profesionals will finish in 1 week, you and your bodies in 4 weeks if they now what they are doing (plus beer and pizza).

12/23/2012 at 8:53:06 AM

Good morning

A lot of good advice has been already posted - Kitchen projects are a package price.

Get advice, ideas, suggestions.

Complete a Kitchen design.

Get quotes.

Review references and licenses.

Then after the dust has settled enjoy your new Kitchen.

Merry Christmas

Dave

2/5/2013 at 7:53:50 PM

I've done kitchens from $12,000 to $165,000 and everything in between. I would say the average new complete kitchen you could be looking at 25K to 50K.

Thanks