I am new here, but am hoping for some advice/help. I live in Philadelphia but my 75 year aunt lives in Manhattan and is mentally ill. My mom has gotten legal guardianship over her and we need to fix up her apartment and we have to get court approval to spend over a certain amount of money. The resident manager of her building highly recommended a contractor and he gave us an estimate for work that... [more]
I am new here, but am hoping for some advice/help. I live in Philadelphia but my 75 year aunt lives in Manhattan and is mentally ill. My mom has gotten legal guardianship over her and we need to fix up her apartment and we have to get court approval to spend over a certain amount of money. The resident manager of her building highly recommended a contractor and he gave us an estimate for work that seemed okay. Then my mom discovered we really need to replace the kitchen cabinets (we already had planned to replace the appliances). Basically his estimate was about $16,000 for all work. We have a 8 foot run in the kitchen to redo and then in another area a tall cabinet next to the frig and a cabinet on top of the frig. He does have to replace the electric riser and the electric box but this price still seems high to me are keeping the layout exactly the same, and are putting in 9 Ikea cabinets that are only costing about $1100. But again, I'm not in Manhattan.
So, two questions. First, what do people think of this price? Second, does anyone have a recommendation for a kitchen remodeler? We also have other work to be done: replace bathroom vanity/sink/faucet, replace a couple of overhead lights, and paint the entire 900 square foot apartment.
Thanks so much.
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Response by stuvwxy99
about 14 years ago
Posts: 39
Member since: Mar 2010
What are you getting for the price? It's not that clear from your post. 9 cabinets installed, but what else? I'd guess at about 3k for the cabinet installation (labor only).
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Response by Primer05
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
benezet,
Is it a complete kitchen gut, new floors? Replacing the branch lines back to the riser? Backsplash? What is the other "certain amount of work"?
If you want me to take a look at it I would be happy to, We install Ikea kitchens all the time. Here are some of them
shoot me an email i can send you a Contractor contact info with good references.
estimatorr at msn com
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Response by uptowngal
about 14 years ago
Posts: 631
Member since: Sep 2006
I recently had my kitchen redone and can offer some advice -
You'll want to get a detailed itemized estimate from the contractor. $16k may only cover so much, then they'll add stuff on later. And shop around.
Also, check w the building on the process. Many require contractors & electricians to be licenced and insured (the better ones are). Also, if it's a coop, you may need to go through a review process, esp if you'll be knocking down walls. Some blds won't rquire this as long as the contractor shows proof of licence & insurance.
I went w Cool Kitchens and highly recommend them www.coolkitchens.com. They charged a nominal up-front fee, but it was worth it - provided detailed drawings (which the board required and the contractor found helpful). and Lloyd was great to work with, always available to answer questions & make recommendations, v detail oriented. and his contractor was top-notch, worked within budget, on time and didn't leave a mess. I found their pricing fair.
good luck!
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Response by gcondo
about 14 years ago
Posts: 1111
Member since: Feb 2009
show me a talented contractor that gives a line-item estimate without bitching, and then takes responsibility for that estimate, and I will show you a good contractor. Anyone else is either irresponsible or a charlatan.
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Response by ab_11218
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2017
Member since: May 2009
go to coolkitchens and they will sell you an Ikea kitchen at 500% markup. the gal uptown got lost downtown and got fleeced.
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Response by uptowngal
about 14 years ago
Posts: 631
Member since: Sep 2006
ab, I didn't get "fleeced". I knew what I wanted to did my research. Ikea cabinets can be a good option, though didn't come in a size that fit into my space. what I ended up w was good quality, solid wood cabinets at a fraction of what other makers would've charged.
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Response by ab_11218
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2017
Member since: May 2009
i have chinese guys around the corner that make these "custom" and they cost even less then Ikea
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Response by Primer05
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Uptown gal,
How long ago was that? I believe Lloyd moved to Florida about two years ago. The company is still around but they are pretty expensive if I remember correctly.
Ab, Cool Kitchens isn't exactly Ikea but it is not custom made either. I think they get their cabinets from a company in Canada.
Gcondo,
There are many good contractors out there. I am sorry you have had such bad experiences with them.
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Response by JButton
about 14 years ago
Posts: 447
Member since: Sep 2011
Looks like she is uptown granny
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Response by uptowngal
about 14 years ago
Posts: 631
Member since: Sep 2006
Prime, this was within the past year. Lloyd is frequently in NY and his being in FL had no impact on my project. He was often in contact w the contractors to ensure things went smoothly. And understood the coop process, providing everything I needed so i had no issues.
And CK's cabinets ARE custom-made, and better quality than anything you'd find in Ikea (though they would be willing to work w whatever cabinets you want). And their contractors will come in after installation in case adjustments are needed, for no add'l charge.
it all depends on what you're looking for. For my purposes, I received multiple estimates and found the entire job w CK well priced for the quality of service.
I've heard nightmare stories abt kitchen rennos - mine was a big project and I had no headaches.
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Response by Primer05
about 14 years ago
Posts: 2103
Member since: Jul 2009
Uptowngal,
I happen to like Lloyd, I wasn't implying that because he moved to Florida the job did not come out well. I am pretty sure his cabinets are semi custom not custom which is a very big difference. The only thing that is important is that you are happy with them.
What are you getting for the price? It's not that clear from your post. 9 cabinets installed, but what else? I'd guess at about 3k for the cabinet installation (labor only).
benezet,
Is it a complete kitchen gut, new floors? Replacing the branch lines back to the riser? Backsplash? What is the other "certain amount of work"?
If you want me to take a look at it I would be happy to, We install Ikea kitchens all the time. Here are some of them
http://www.primerenovationsnyc.com/2011/12/ikea-is-not-just-a-four-letter-word-anymore/
You can email me at primerenovations@mac.com
benezet
shoot me an email i can send you a Contractor contact info with good references.
estimatorr at msn com
I recently had my kitchen redone and can offer some advice -
You'll want to get a detailed itemized estimate from the contractor. $16k may only cover so much, then they'll add stuff on later. And shop around.
Also, check w the building on the process. Many require contractors & electricians to be licenced and insured (the better ones are). Also, if it's a coop, you may need to go through a review process, esp if you'll be knocking down walls. Some blds won't rquire this as long as the contractor shows proof of licence & insurance.
I went w Cool Kitchens and highly recommend them www.coolkitchens.com. They charged a nominal up-front fee, but it was worth it - provided detailed drawings (which the board required and the contractor found helpful). and Lloyd was great to work with, always available to answer questions & make recommendations, v detail oriented. and his contractor was top-notch, worked within budget, on time and didn't leave a mess. I found their pricing fair.
good luck!
show me a talented contractor that gives a line-item estimate without bitching, and then takes responsibility for that estimate, and I will show you a good contractor. Anyone else is either irresponsible or a charlatan.
go to coolkitchens and they will sell you an Ikea kitchen at 500% markup. the gal uptown got lost downtown and got fleeced.
ab, I didn't get "fleeced". I knew what I wanted to did my research. Ikea cabinets can be a good option, though didn't come in a size that fit into my space. what I ended up w was good quality, solid wood cabinets at a fraction of what other makers would've charged.
i have chinese guys around the corner that make these "custom" and they cost even less then Ikea
Uptown gal,
How long ago was that? I believe Lloyd moved to Florida about two years ago. The company is still around but they are pretty expensive if I remember correctly.
Ab, Cool Kitchens isn't exactly Ikea but it is not custom made either. I think they get their cabinets from a company in Canada.
Gcondo,
There are many good contractors out there. I am sorry you have had such bad experiences with them.
Looks like she is uptown granny
Prime, this was within the past year. Lloyd is frequently in NY and his being in FL had no impact on my project. He was often in contact w the contractors to ensure things went smoothly. And understood the coop process, providing everything I needed so i had no issues.
And CK's cabinets ARE custom-made, and better quality than anything you'd find in Ikea (though they would be willing to work w whatever cabinets you want). And their contractors will come in after installation in case adjustments are needed, for no add'l charge.
it all depends on what you're looking for. For my purposes, I received multiple estimates and found the entire job w CK well priced for the quality of service.
I've heard nightmare stories abt kitchen rennos - mine was a big project and I had no headaches.
Uptowngal,
I happen to like Lloyd, I wasn't implying that because he moved to Florida the job did not come out well. I am pretty sure his cabinets are semi custom not custom which is a very big difference. The only thing that is important is that you are happy with them.