Small Kitchen Renovation

I have the same size apartment. The handyman in my building referred me to a nearby contractor that was supposed to be less expensive. I learned that the contractor wanted at least a $20,000 fee to get involved in a small job (plus materials and appliances). This was about five years ago. Then a neighbor recommended I call Sears (no kidding) for an in home consultation. He swore they did a very good job on his last apartment. Sears quoted me like $6,000 for refacing cabinets, quartz counters, and an under-mount sink and faucet--from demo to installation. Appliances would have been extra. You can also get new cabinets through them. I went for the cheapest option--embracing the 80s chic of my current kitchen partly because Sears wouldn't do a tile backsplash (instead they recommended using counter material, which they would do). With Sears, you wouldn't get countless and high end options-but they are a modest priced solution. And you don't have to worry about cost overruns with a contractor since they hire the workers.

Thanks PMG....anyone else?

Ikea does great kitchens and there are contractors who specialize in putting them in. A friend of mine was delighted with some people called The Kitchen People or something like that.

If you're looking for design ideas, Apartment Therapy (website) is focused on high-impact design to maximize small spaces. There's a DIY emphasis. Very helpful for identifying appliances that work well in small spaces (ie, smaller full-size refrigerators, etc).

House Beautiful just did an issue about small spaces, maybe June or July.

I think this one is amazing - http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/dream/kitchen-otm-new-york-0708?click=main_sr

I know people in Manhattan who have successfully used Home Depot. It's a model similar to what PMG described with Sears. I don't know prices, sorry, but one person was doing a complete gut renovation and had a contractor do the whole apartment EXCEPT the kitchen. That she had done by Home Depot because it was about 35% cheaper. Good luck!

thx all

the most expensive ikea cabinets are decent quality and still very inexpensive compared to other brands of comparable quality--to insure durability have your contractor assemble with glue in addition to the ikea connective hardware

Check out this post on our StreetEasy blog for NYC-based architect, Victoria Benatar's experience with renovating a small kitchen: http://ownyourhome.streeteasy.com/the-smallest-kitchen-in-nyc/

Other than Ikea there are many other Online shops like Home Depot or Granite Creek Cabinetry which are offering their product in affordable price range. Some of them have many discount offers as well.

I have recently done kitchen renovation specially install new countertops from Granite Denver. I must say they are the best wholesaler of granite slabs in Colorado.