What kind of firm/contractor do I want?

[Anonymous]

We want to remodel our kitchen. This includes new cabinetry/counter tops, perhaps a new footprint for the island and/or appliances (but not a change to the room's footprint), new appliances, and perhaps building a bench in our window alcove to create better eat-in dining options. The last piece may necessitate changing out some windows. I have never once been a part of a single remodeling project and I'm creatively and logistically incompetent (i.e. I need some handholding here, there's no way I'm drawing up plans on my own). Do I need a "design-build" firm? Or does one person design (like at a cabinet store?) and then I find someone to build it? Are there advantages/disadvantages/financial differences in any of these?

TIA for any guidance!

[Anonymous]

What’s your budget? I ask because you’re throwing around some things that could dramatically change the cost. Is that because you don’t care, or you don’t know?

I mean “changing some windows” is a huge deal. Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s your budget? I ask because you’re throwing around some things that could dramatically change the cost. Is that because you don’t care, or you don’t know?

I mean “changing some windows” is a huge deal. Come on.

Budget approx $100-130-ish, if that's needed. And re: windows, I was very clear about my experience level in my original post.

[Anonymous]

What is the value of your home? My in laws did a new kitchen that was about 1/3 of the value of their home. That is just stupid.

I would not disclose your budget until you have real number in front of you.

You need to figure out what quality of cabinets you want and get some budget numbers. That will be the variable. Appliance numbers are easy to figure out, and you can easily get a pretty good idea of counter cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What’s your budget? I ask because you’re throwing around some things that could dramatically change the cost. Is that because you don’t care, or you don’t know?

I mean “changing some windows” is a huge deal. Come on.

Budget approx $100-130-ish, if that's needed. And re: windows, I was very clear about my experience level in my original post.

Go to a design build firm like CASE or the kitchen place on Wisconsin Ave past the Trader Joe’s. It will cost more, but they will take care of you.

[Anonymous]

Ask people you know for general contractor recommendations for kitchen projects. Call them and start there. You want someone who does a lot of kitchens and can tell you where to go for cabinets, etc.

[Anonymous]

A cabinet place will design a kitchen within your existing footprint. They will not say "well...if you move these windows, then we can....". They may be able to recommend a contractor that they work with.

There are 3 level of kitchen cabinets---budget/builder grade/semi custom/custom. Within each level there are lots of manufacturers. They are all the same---within each level, they all use the same soft close, plywood box, blah blah blah. The difference is the designer that is selling the cabinets. The designer is what you are paying for; you buy the product they sell to access them.

The only time I would tell you to make a choice is if you want to match paint colors or you want a specific type of cabinet (inset v overlay) or a push to open type of cabinet. They you need to be very specific in what you're looking for.

A general contractor may be able to help you layout a space redesign. They will be able to put you in contact with a structural engineer if you need one, an electrician, a plumber, HVAC.

An interior architect may also do kitchens. They will do space planning--what you want if you want to reconfigure your space.

The most expensive and the easiest will be a design build firm. They hold your hand through the whole process. You are locked into the cabinets they sell. You pay a lot for this service.

My advice is to go to Houzz and go to the kitchen forum. There is a pinned post that tells you what information you need to post in order to ask for help. You'll need to do a rough sketch of your existing footprint. Then you'll answer a lot of questions that they want addressed before you post. Then let the people magic begin. These people live for designing kitchens. Some people that respond are professionals; others are people that really just enjoy designing kitchens. There are times when it will get frustrating because they will ask you questions you don't know the answer to or have never really thought about before. They are asking so that they can design a kitchen for you that works for the way you and your family cook and live. Think things like how many mixing bowls do you have; do you have a large mixer, how tall is your largest stock pot.

You can then take your design to a cabinet store if that's what you decide or to a GC if you decided you want to reconfigure your space.

[Anonymous]

The 20:31 post is spot on (wrapping up a kitchen renovation now, and have previously done an addition/bathroom Reno). One thing I’ll add is that there are some kitchen design shops that seem open to creating designs that do require changes like moving windows, etc.; if it’s beyond the scope of what they can do themselves they’ll charge you separately for the design and you can hire a contractor.

Also re: design build firms, in my experience the prices may be slightly better at some (but not all!) larger design build firms that have their own skilled craftspeople vs. those who just have relationships with subcontractors and act as the GC but have to outsource all of the actual work.

[lionking]

What area are you in? That will help with the recommendation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A cabinet place will design a kitchen within your existing footprint. They will not say "well...if you move these windows, then we can....". They may be able to recommend a contractor that they work with.

There are 3 level of kitchen cabinets---budget/builder grade/semi custom/custom. Within each level there are lots of manufacturers. They are all the same---within each level, they all use the same soft close, plywood box, blah blah blah. The difference is the designer that is selling the cabinets. The designer is what you are paying for; you buy the product they sell to access them.

The only time I would tell you to make a choice is if you want to match paint colors or you want a specific type of cabinet (inset v overlay) or a push to open type of cabinet. They you need to be very specific in what you're looking for.

A general contractor may be able to help you layout a space redesign. They will be able to put you in contact with a structural engineer if you need one, an electrician, a plumber, HVAC.

An interior architect may also do kitchens. They will do space planning--what you want if you want to reconfigure your space.

The most expensive and the easiest will be a design build firm. They hold your hand through the whole process. You are locked into the cabinets they sell. You pay a lot for this service.

My advice is to go to Houzz and go to the kitchen forum. There is a pinned post that tells you what information you need to post in order to ask for help. You'll need to do a rough sketch of your existing footprint. Then you'll answer a lot of questions that they want addressed before you post. Then let the people magic begin. These people live for designing kitchens. Some people that respond are professionals; others are people that really just enjoy designing kitchens. There are times when it will get frustrating because they will ask you questions you don't know the answer to or have never really thought about before. They are asking so that they can design a kitchen for you that works for the way you and your family cook and live. Think things like how many mixing bowls do you have; do you have a large mixer, how tall is your largest stock pot.

You can then take your design to a cabinet store if that's what you decide or to a GC if you decided you want to reconfigure your space.

OP here. This is really helpful. Thank you for taking the time you did to write this up. I appreciate it. Heading to Houzz now!