07:11 again - guess I should have mentioned that, yes, we're doing it for under 30K - the price for the contractor which included everything except for appliances, flooring and light fixtures was just under 20K. We got a good deal on what I assume are considered low-mid range appliances (SS Whirlpool), 16x16 ceramic tiles and a bunch of recessed lights. We are not getting a backsplash at this time b/c we can't figure out what we want just yet. So excited for a new kitchen

We're doing pretty much the same thing - are you in the SS area? Seems like all the houses out here need a non-load bearing wall removed! Anyway, we're going with Counter Intelligence http://www.ciacounters.com/ (website looks like they only do counters but they do whole remodels). I've been thrilled w/the customer service and process thus far but, and this is a big but, work hasn't started yet (mid-July) so I can't vouch for their work. Hope that helps - best of luck!

If you live on Capitol Hill (or vicinity) try National Capitol Kitchens. They are doing our basement right now and have been really good about staying within the budget we set. They could do a kitchen for you for $30,000 (we saw some when we were checking their references) but they generally do Capitol Hill rowhouse kitchens which tend to be smaller spaces than kitchens in stand alone houses.

OP

Pls return and post your finished kitchen results and full price!

Anonymous wrote:We need to do a full remodel, including removal/rebuild of a non-load bearing wall, new flooring, and new cabinets. We'll have to move electric lines, but probably not water lines. We're looking to keep it under $30K with cabinets and new mid-range appliances. Any contractor s recommendations?

OP, your own words make the work sound major. Electrical work in particular is expensive. That's why I think many are telling you that $30K, unless you do a fair amount of the labor yourself, is not realistic. But only you know what the work entails, so maybe you are right. The only way you will find out is by getting competing bids - just ask neighbors or look at Angie's list for recommendations.

OP here -

I do have a designer, but thats only bc I got a Groupon for one. She will just be coming to do a layout and make recommendations for colors and brands. The only structural work we have to do is taking down a wall and putting some drywall up for a new one. It probably wont even need new framing. I am confident it can be done for $30K - I just need a contractor recommendation and I am still waiting for one of those. Thanks!

People seem to be missing that OP has major structural/ electrical stuff she's doing. She didn't say she needed to hire a designer. Designer or no designer doesn't change the fact that she won't be able to do what she wants for $30,000.

Anonymous wrote:How many budget projects do you mean by "TONS" how many budget projects compared to no-so-budget projects?

Designers spend their time with bigger budget clients becasue it means more money for them. I'm not hating, thems the breaks. But, when designers tell you what can't be done on a smaller budget, you have to remember the source.

Or maybe you have no idea what your talking about? If you think a designer doesn't understand what a bare bones budget vs. a high end budget your crazy. And when I say I've done tons I mean 15 years worth of renovations that have run from the lowest to fairly high. Trust me a designer knows what a budget is far better than the average person who doesn't do this for a living. When I'm walking Home Depot or Ikea with a client do you realy think I'm thinking this is a high end budget. I do a lot of consultations where I go out with a client for a few days to pick finishes, floor plans, cabinets and what not. It's a set fee for a limited amount of design service. People who use this service are not spending billions on their kitchen but they are trying to get the most bang for their buck. Most of these clients are Home Depot and Ikea shoppers. They are paying me a small set fee for limited time. This in no way somehow makes there kitchen more expensive. You don't sell this type of client a high end budgeted kitchen simply because you're a designer. That doesn't even make any sense.

Anonymous wrote:OP, we did a Home Depot kitchen with mid-range appliances and ended up spending 34k. It can be done. You have to remember that what DCUM posters consider mid-range is not what the general public considers mid-range. Everything does not have to be custom and Calcutta gold marble for a kitchen to be a good space for your family. I also wouldn't expect an interior designer to work with lower priced contractors. If you are paying for a designer, you are also paying for more expensive everything else. Go to HD, talk to their kitchen designers and get a quote. Knowing what we spent for each component in our space won't help you since we probably have different spaces.

Good luck, it can be done!

I agree with this poster. If you are paying for a designer than you are not going with a basic kitchen. There's no need for a designer. We are closing in a carport and a large back patio, knocking down a wall and completely remodeling our kitchen. We did have an architect work with us on the overall design and drawings to get the permits, but we've priced out our new kitchen at 3 places and I believe you could do what you are looking at for 30K if you put a little sweat-equity into it.

We got estimates on cabinet prices and designs at Lowes, Costco, and a cabinet place. We sat down with Lowes for an hour or so and had a layout and price. We faxed measurements and drawings to Costco and spoke with them on the phone and received a design via email and a quote the next day. Then we also went to a cabinet seller (St. Clair's) in Mount Vernon to have a design drawn up and we are waiting on an estimate for that one now. The prices are all very competitive and much lower than I expected. They all do these design services for free.

Why pay for it? If I had a million dollars to spend then maybe, but with a smaller budget (like yours and mine) it's an unnecessary cost. Good luck and have fun it!

Did a 11 x 11 kitchen no wall movement, some electrical, no new appliances. New cabinets, same old floor, same old ceiling light, backsplash not done or included with price. New sink, granite counter, mid grade cabinets with some extras to account for small kitchen and getting the most room in a small kitchen. Cost about 23K or maybe 24K. Only got a new dishwasher, old one which broke right before installation.

How many budget projects do you mean by "TONS" how many budget projects compared to no-so-budget projects?

Designers spend their time with bigger budget clients becasue it means more money for them. I'm not hating, thems the breaks. But, when designers tell you what can't be done on a smaller budget, you have to remember the source.

Anonymous wrote:OP, we did a Home Depot kitchen with mid-range appliances and ended up spending 34k. It can be done. You have to remember that what DCUM posters consider mid-range is not what the general public considers mid-range. Everything does not have to be custom and Calcutta gold marble for a kitchen to be a good space for your family. I also wouldn't expect an interior designer to work with lower priced contractors. If you are paying for a designer, you are also paying for more expensive everything else. Go to HD, talk to their kitchen designers and get a quote. Knowing what we spent for each component in our space won't help you since we probably have different spaces.

Good luck, it can be done!

Not true. I'm the earlier interior designer that posted and I have walked Home Depot with clients more than I care to admit. OP is talking about doing lots of structural stuff. This is going to be their main cost. And all counter tops are custom made. They have to be because each kitchen is mapped out differently. They all have to be site templated and custom cut. Even if you do a laminate, your still having it custom made to fit your kitchen.

There are plenty of interior designers that have worked with budget contractors and budget products. It's ludicrous to think otherwise. I've worked on TONS of budget projects as a designer and guess what .... your chances are very slim on having $30,000 be your budget for everything you want done. Yes you can do it for that maybe. But it certainly wouldn't involve all the structural stuff that you want to have done.

Try Impact Construction. They'll be honest with you about whether or not they can hit that budget. I think it's doable, but he can tell you for sure.

I'm 22:07 poster and I did not mean it as an insult re: a Home Depot kitchen. Its the same as a "price club" party - which I have nothing against either. Just seems a lot of folks have disdain for such regular things. Regardless, I think 30k is pretty low for all that you're describing. Good Luck!