So, she wanted new kitchen counter tops...

rdinatal

rdinatal

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Sometimes you just have to give in. After a year of hinting I tell her to plan what you want: Granite, sink, faucet, stovetop. We will source those before starting. I was not going to start and then have a month of indecision.

The demo of the old countertop makes up the bulk of the cost with the granite and install the least $. We contracted the store to only cut and install the granite and undermount sink. We (read that as "I") would demo and prep. I now see why they charge $3-4k for the demo...

Before:

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During:
(the plastic/sheet was to keep the cat out of the walls)
Also had to reroute a light from above the stove to a outlet above the cabinets. Going with 'puck' lights under cabinets.

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Waiting for the granite:

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One week to go before the new counter top is delivered...

-R
 
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$3-4K for demo??! What's so terrible about it? I realize you can't just take a sledge to your cabinets but it doesn't seem like it could be THAT bad.
 
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Jerzsubbie said:
$3-4K for demo??! What's so terrible about it? I realize you can just take a sledge to your cabinets but it doesn't seem like it could be THAT bad.
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Just the fact that you can't take a sledge to everything, it is involved. The old stone tiles came off in pieces, dust, shrapnel (even with a towel over), crap all over the place. Must have had a bazillion screws in the two layers (cement board on top of plywood into the cabinets) and the occasional nail just to throw you off. Had to hunt for the screws in the plywood that were hiding under the cement board else the cabinets would get damaged.

The wallboard was a total wash, damaged beyond repair. Had to replace all wallboard where the vertical tiles were. Figure in disposing of the construction debris and saw bit replacement, tape/mud, it adds up. The good part is we (again read as "me") kept the area clean and didn't have any collateral damage to the wood floors. We've experienced that in the past. Let's face it workers just don't care as much as the owners do.

I did get the switched wire from the old fluorescent light moved. The new lighting will be controlled by the same switch but the termination was moved from above the stove, up the wall, to the top of the cabinets in a duplex outlet.. Just need to decide what type: Low voltage, direct plug, LED (my preference)... That will be the last item to install.

The damn cat wanted to get behind and explore. He spend a lot of time in the bedroom while I worked but the plastic and sheets went up at night.

-R
 
What a project. How many hours do you figure you have in the demo?
 
Jeppo said:
What a project. How many hours do you figure you have in the demo?
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Good question. Since I work from home I'm able to work a bit during the day. Plus the past week the wife's been up in Raleigh looking after Grandkid #2 so I've been able to work at night uninterrupted and all weekend. Just a guess as I didn't really keep track...

Removing everything (sink, stovetop, tiles, disposal) down to the supports/studs took - 16hrs
Repairing sink valve - 3hrs
Route wire - 1hr
Wallboard replace/mud - 8hrs

I also worked my daytime job, spread 4yds of topsoil and seeded last week, Tues-Wed.

This weekend is tree trimming time! Renting a bucket lift for a weekend of FUN! Putting all cuttings in the trailer and disposing on Monday. :eek:

-R
 
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Lol fun! A year ago my parents wanted tile put down in their kitchen/dinning room and where the washer and dryer are. A little over 680sqf..... Yay. Took me 5 days to get the old vinal flooring up, backer board down, lay all the 2'x1' tile and grout and seal..... My back was killing me. My pops couldn't help because he had just been a car wreck that messed up his back. Now my mom wants her bathroom redone. I love my parents! Lol
 
Only 1/2 way done and the trailer is getting filled up!

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There was a tree in the back yard when we moved in 16ish years ago. We removed it to open up the yard. Yep, you guessed it, the bucket lift found where the stump was and promptly sunk in where the wood rotted. Time to fix the lawn.

-R
 
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Daleo8803 said:
Lol fun! A year ago my parents wanted tile put down in their kitchen/dinning room and where the washer and dryer are. A little over 680sqf..... Yay. Took me 5 days to get the old vinal flooring up, backer board down, lay all the 2'x1' tile and grout and seal..... My back was killing me. My pops couldn't help because he had just been a car wreck that messed up his back. Now my mom wants her bathroom redone. I love my parents! Lol
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Thats what you get for doing good work on the other tile!
 
Today I can officially say the counter tops are done. Had the wall stone put in Thursday and I installed the indirect puck(ing) lights under the cabinets this weekend. The stovetop and under cabinet lights are LED and independent dimming. Once set they are all turned off by one switch.

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My wife wanted new flooring. It was on sale and special installation cost - cheap they said.

Wound up with a whole new kitchen and it WASN'T "cheap"!!!! Too long a story to go into here.
 
rdinatal said:
Today I can officially say the counter tops are done. Had the wall stone put in Thursday and I installed the indirect puck(ing) lights under the cabinets this weekend. The stovetop and under cabinet lights are LED and independent dimming. Once set they are all turned off by one switch.

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Nice work....now come give me new countertops to replace the vinyl looking stuff I have now!!!!
 
Look good

Please make sure they used something other than strips of plywood to support the sink to the counter. In this use the silicone they should have put on the flange of the sink is only used as a gasket, not an adhesive. Without a secure mechanical support, the sink will eventually sag and create a gap that will allow water to get by. If they used steel rods in the sink rail for support, those will eventually rust, creating an expensive mess.

Either a bracket system or straps would be the best. The little anchor clips some use will work as long as they are on the front rail as well, but usually they won't fit there, so they'll screw a couple strips of plywood to the cabinet, pushed up to the bottom of the sink flange. Eventually it will fail, we fix way too many, all because the granite co doesn't want to spend 5 bucks on a strap.
 
Yea, my wife got me with the "for Christmas" thing. ..I feel your pain.

Paint and new laminate floors...


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Darkhorse said:
I was just curious, as that is part of my lively hood, along with managing a glass shop.
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Where would your place be?

My wife wants to repaint the entire house including the kitchen cabinets, then redo the master bathroom.
Our land deal fell through and now her mom says she doesn't plan on selling the land. Might try to get her to build storage buildings.
 
Cowboy said:
Where would your place be?

My wife wants to repaint the entire house including the kitchen cabinets, then redo the master bathroom.
Our land deal fell through and now her mom says she doesn't plan on selling the land. Might try to get her to build storage buildings.
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In Albemarle. I will pm you a little later this morning
 
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