Redoing my kitchen

C

Celine

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
5,707
Reaction score
26
Location
Zogg
i have now been in my house for almost 3 years now and without a doubt there needs to be some renovations done on the house as the previous owner didn't do anything to keep the interior updated. it is outdated and old and needs new cupboards, tiling etc.

my first project is my kitchen. my hubby has said to me has the money so i need not worry blah blah. but for the life of me i cannot justify laying out tens of thousands just to update my kitchen to that of a so called modern kitchen. i am quite happy to redo the kitchen but i don't need to have all the fancy bits and pieces. it is a huge kitchen and i know it will take some money to redo.

i have been doing some online research for various items and these things are so expensive that i'm thinking even if i get the cheaper stuff my kitchen will look far better than it does now. but my hubby seems to think that i must spend R100 000 on this thing. i can't do it. there must be a simpler cheaper way.

anyone with some suggestions for me please.

thanks.
 
Do you just want to redo the cupboards and make them look modern, or do you maybe want to relayout the kitchen to make it more functional and a better space?
 
ToxicBunny said:
Do you just want to redo the cupboards and make them look modern, or do you maybe want to relayout the kitchen to make it more functional and a better space?
Click to expand...

hi toxic, i have to redo the entire kitchen. the cupboards have bugs in them they are so old when you put food in the cupboads within a week the cereals have bugs in them. so all the cupboards need to go. i also need to update the tiling on the floor and the walls as they are from the 1920's.
 
Celine said:
hi toxic, i have to redo the entire kitchen. the cupboards have bugs in them they are so old when you put food in the cupboads within a week the cereals have bugs in them. so all the cupboards need to go. i also need to update the tiling on the floor and the walls as they are from the 1920's.
Click to expand...

I gathered that much :).. although not that the cupboards were rotten and such...

My question is more are you just wanting to modernise the look but keep the existing layout, or do you want to change the layout etc... that as a starting point has a BIG impact on the cost.

You say that you need to redo the tiling, and its a large kitchen, so say 25sqm as a thumbsuck size... you will spend around R250 per sqm for tiles and tiling... and they will be averagish tiles... you can get it down a bit by choosing cheaper tiles but they won't look as nice. That is also just for the floor, if you want to tile the walls as well it gets more expensive (but I wouldn't tile the walls, it dates a kitchen very quickly these days)
 
I saved some cash on redoing my kitchen by going for a slightly cheaper counter top, chose a cheaper granite instead of technistone. I also saved some by sourcing my own stove, extractor etc (Im pretty sure all of the contractors I got quotes from loaded those prices).

I would not try and save on tiles, the tiler and cupboards IMHO.
 
Just to give you an idea, we recently redid our kitchen. Wrapped doors and technistone counters. that was 80k.

My dad did the plumbing for me, it needed some modifications as the pipes were in odd locations. We installed the stove/oven and sink ourselves, did the ceiling cornicing ourselves, and I got a guy to do the floor tiling for us (didn't have the energy for it).

My dad then just finished off with some wall tiles.

Don't forget new electric sockets..

So total cost was around 95k, but we plan to live in the house for quite a long time and we spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

My top tip: After you strip the kitchen, lay the tiles wall to wall and then put the cupboards on top. Also, do any wall plastering and prepping beforehand, you'll thank yourself later.

Oh, our kitchen is 5mx5m
 
Well you can always save some money with DIY.

Take a look at Gelmar's website, you'll find kitchen fittings at almost half of what Builders Warehouse sells them for. Nevermind the specialist stores for these things. You don't need a professional to install spice drawers wine racks.

Kitchens are expensive things, especially if you have to add costs for demolition, building and plumbing.

Try do your own design at first. Download Google's SketchUp (it's free) and watch a few youtube tutorials. If you're not happy with your own design then maybe ask a pro, but I'm sure you'll prefer owning this process especially once you see how easy it is.
 
thanks all for your input it has been very interesting. i'm a bit of a penny pincher and don't like to spend money very easily so this is got my head in a tizz. having read some of the comments it would seem that hubby is right. it would cost in the region of R100 000 to redo my kitchen. i have been trawling the net for prices etc and there just doesn't seem to be any other way out. will let you know how many tears i shed after all is said and done lol.
 
Celine said:
thanks all for your input it has been very interesting. i'm a bit of a penny pincher and don't like to spend money very easily so this is got my head in a tizz. having read some of the comments it would seem that hubby is right. it would cost in the region of R100 000 to redo my kitchen. i have been trawling the net for prices etc and there just doesn't seem to be any other way out. will let you know how many tears i shed after all is said and done lol.
Click to expand...

Celine... if you are looking for something that will past a long time try and find a supplier that will do laminated plywood rather the laminated chipboard... the cabinets and such are much better thst way but they cost about 10% more
 
the kitchen is what sells a house and gives it character. If you love entertaining, make the kitchen and surrounding area the central focus of your home. Our new house is like that and it reaaly works for us... Don't skimp on the kitchen
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X