HELP with Kitchen Cabinets.
By
on
April 26th, 2009
okay, so i am buying a foreclosure. the people that got booted decided to give it to the bank by taking a few things, like the closet shelves, the crown molding, and oh, yeah, the ENTIRE KITCHEN. okay, not all of it. they left the bottom cabinets, minus the doors, and the granite countertops. we are now left with the basic structures of bottom cabinets, granite countertops, and that’s it. so obviously we need to replace the cabinets and get appliances. so here’s the question. what do we do first. is it okay to get the appliances so we can at least move in and have a functioning kitchen. will we be able to put in the cabinets after the appliances. or should we really just get the cabinets done first, and then get appliances. also, do we have to get custom cabinets, or are cabinets pretty standard in size (the spaces for the appliances are pretty much standard). what about the bottom cabinets. can we just find some matching doors to replace them with or do we have to suck it up and completely start from scratch. we don’t have an unlimited budget, so cheaper is better.
thanks in advance.
Meghan says:
I would buy the appliances first, and then the cabinets later. You can pick up wire shelving racks like they use in professional kitchens for about $40 at Wal-Mart and Target. I have one in my dining room closet which is about 3 1/2 feet long, with 4 shelves and is about 5 foot high. Until I can get better cabinets, it’s a great way to store pots, pans, cookbooks, crockpots, etc. Here’s a link to show you what the rack looks like. Also, the racks are adjustable.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do.product_id=8222430.
April 26th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
AUBURN says:
Wow. Must have been a real shock to walk in and see.NOTHING.
Might be more cost effective if you just scrap everything and start fresh. That way you have what you want. Work with a contractor that you TRUST and he’ll take good care of you.
Plus, there may be structural damage that you can’t see right now behind what’s left of the cabinets that would cost MUCHO bucks down the road to fix. Not to mention uninvited buggy guests that you’ll need to “evict”.yikes.
GOOD LUCK. I’ll be looking forward to seeing before/after pictures in”House Beautiful” when you finish.
April 26th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
rob89434 says:
You can get your appliances. Like you said they are standard sizes. You can buy cabinet doors. The other option is to call a local cabinet refacing company. They usually order prefinished doors and can properly measure. Also you can look on the internet for premade cabinet doors.
April 26th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
hmmm says:
Get your appliances in first. (We lived without cabinets for three months a few years ago)
Your cabinets might be stock, or custom. If there is what I call dead space between boxes in the corners, then your cabinets are likely stock.
Go to HD or Lowe’s and pick up a Kraft Maid cabinet book. These are your basic stock cabinets, and all the box dimensions will be in there. Compare to your cabinet boxes.
If they are custom, look in the phone book for Custom Cabinet Makers, (licensed of course - the lower the contractors lic. number the longer he/she has been in business) The good ones really know what they are doing and can fix almost anything.
Call four or five and ask them come out to see what they would recommend, and get some bids. While they are there, have them give you separate pricing on the crown molding.
If the cabinet boxes and fronts are in good shape, you might only need doors, so ask them to bring their door books with them.
Congrats, Good luck, and enjoy the process.
April 26th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
M M T says:
I’d say get the appliances so you can move in and function. Then get some quotes on having just the doors and the shelves made for the remaining cabinets. If you’re putting upper cabinets in, you can get the doors made to match. Why pay for the bottom “boxes” since they’re already there. That should help save you some money.
Get several different people to come in and measure it out so you know if those cabinets are stock or custom and get several different quotes (at least 3, 5 is better).
Some guys will try to tell you that you need to replace the bottom “boxes”, tell them to go take a hike.
April 26th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Anna A says:
I will suggest you to install cabinets first. Other wise you will be in trouble. It is big project you will not be able to use kitchen during installation of cabinets. To give you more ideas about kitchen remodeling I am forwarding you the reference link that will help you to renovate your kitchen, The link is
April 26th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
AMO 45 says:
Appliances are not a luxury -they’re a necessity,look for a package deal often times you can get at least the microwave/hood for free when purchasing an entire package.Something i really like (and have recommenced) is the very popular design are different top and bottom cabinets sometimes using wood finish for the bottoms and painted /glass doors on top just make sure they’re all the same style and you can create a custom kitchen -out of a refurbish- one that’s designer perfection
April 27th, 2009 at 12:31 am