House Remodeling

Updated on July 06, 2009
S.V. asks from Albuquerque, NM
11 answers

Hello,
I have a few major projects that I want to have done @ out house. These include new kitchen cabinets and counter and new flooring (replacing old carpet). I have a pretty good idea of what I want. However I get totally overwhelmed at the thought of where to begin! There are so many companies that do this sort of thing I don't know where to start - do I have the same place do everything? Do I go to several places? I've heard horror stories about contractors not showing up, etc. Has anyone been through this that can offer advice?
Thanks!

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H.C.

answers from Phoenix on

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D.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I work for a general contractor who does remodeling and repairs as well as roofing. I had them do my living room/ kitchen in 2005 and the work (flooring, windows, taking off popcorn ceiling, taking down a wall, painting) is beautifully done (though I didn't have the cabinets done). Please let us give you a free estimate! You can look us up on the internet - www.GryphonAZ.com and check out our license (and others) at rc.state.az.us - the Registrar of Contractors in AZ. We are also a long time member of Better Business Bureau. Office number is ###-###-####. Thanks!

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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

I highly recommend the folks recommended by Rosie on The House (radio show/website). Rosie has very high screening standards and recommends VERY few businesses. I have been pleased with everyone ( exterminator, water softener/ RO system, landscaping, sun screens) that have showed up.

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A.T.

answers from Phoenix on

I wouldn't know where to start either, but we have a very reliable contractor friend we can recommend.

Kelvin Ironside ###-###-####

He put in our wood floors at our old house and his work was superb! He also installed an AC unit for my new piano studio, and just recently put sunscreens on our home.

He does excellent work and he's very reliable and competitive with prcies. He's also licensed and bonded and all that jazz!

He's definitely worth a call. Good luck.... sounds like it's going to be beautiful!

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S.L.

answers from Tucson on

Start at the top and work down - that way the flooring is last and if anything drops, spills, scrapes, etc. while the other projects are happening it will all be taken away at the end - my husband built our entire house but now specializes in swimming pool surface repairs and remodeling so I would recommend that you work with contractors you can SPEAK with and who are clear about what you want and how much it will cost - get word-of-mouth references from people you know who have worked with them or get phone numbers from them of satisfied customers that are willing to speak with you about their work ethic and quality - you will get what you pay for - good luck!

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L.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi S.,

Sounds like you have recd some awesome advice and good recommendations.

You can handle the projects using a general contractor that coordinates everything for you or you can piece meal the job out and you basically act like the general contractor.

General contractors usually charge more and you will also pay them overhead and profit. The benefit of a gc is that they do all the footwork, phone work and scheduling for you. Also most gc are insured, licensed and bonded and you definitely want this. That way, if they come into your home and damage something or get hurt, they have insurance to take care of it.

Regardless of what direction you go, ALWAYS check the person/general contractor out on the better business bureau and the Registrar of Contractors website - this website gives you current info on the contractor, number of complaints, active license, insurance, bonding info. etc.

Hope this helps and good luck.

L.

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M.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I flipped thru a few of the responses but did not see the most important. When you hire contractors and subcontractors, request their license number and check it at on the web at the arizona registrar of contractors site to make sure there license is current and there are no complaints. If they have complaints, you have to go to the registrars office to read them. In addition, If their subs have license numbers, get them. If you find that the job is not to code/satisfaction, the registrar will inspect and you can obtain the surety bond to have it repaired correctly. the main thing is that you do your homework first. As a wife of an electrical contractor, our standards are extremely high. In addition, draw it out on paper and get atleast three bids. I did my kitchen in 2000 and it cost about 10,000 dollars and that was doing alot of it ourselves (total gut and remodel). If you need further assistance or would like referrals to reputable contractors, let me know. I will be happy to assist you.

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C.N.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi S.,

We had our kitchen redone a few years ago. J. Thomas Builders was EXCELLENT!! Tom was there every time he said he would be. His contractors worked hard. Tom went to bat for us when we didn't even ask him. There was one small thing he saw that we didn't and asked the contractor to change it. It took 2-3 days but he came through. The cabinets and granite look great and we are super happy. We would use him again without question!

Tom's number is ###-###-####. You can let him know Allen and C. gave you his number if you want to.

Thanks,
C.

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N.S.

answers from Tucson on

We just did our kitchen. I'm not sure how handy you are, but there is a place called Pinnacle Cabinets. The cabinets are in pieces (about 4) and you put them together. You can install yourself or pay someone to do it. It's fairly easy, but if you or someone you know has never done it, I suggest hiring someone. Putting the cabinets together is SO easy. I was 9 months pregnant and I put most of them together myself. Anyway, they are beautiful and inexpensive. We did our whole kitchen (about a 10x10 standard with an island) for $4,000. And we even put in extra cabinets. you can find them at www.pinnaclecabinets.com.
So no, you don't have to go to the same place for everything and I actually recommend you don't. Carpet people specialize in carpet, etc. Do not hire a contractor. They are merely a middle man who costs a ton of money for something any reasonable intelligent person can do. Now if you are totally knocking down walls, redoing plumbing, changing the layout of your home, you need a contractor. but to be putting in carpet and replacing cabinets, you certainly don't need one.
As far as carpet, shop around. Don't be afraid of "discount" places as they sell the same carpet as the expensive guy. The difference comes in installation. You can actually go to Lowe's or something for carpet. Their prices are decent and their selection is good.
We're totally redoing our entire house (with 3 kids ages 3.5, 2, and 2 months) and we are doing it ourselves. So we have tons of advice in this area. We just got done with our new counter tops and cabinets, new carpet, new sink base and flooring in the bathroom. Not to mention the 100 "little" projects. If you have any questions, just ask!

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K.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi S.
I know exactly what your going through and it is overwhelming. I do not recomend going through one person for everything a little leg work can save you big in the end.

I redid my whole kitchen two years ago for a really good price I am the type of person who researches everything to make sure i am getting the best deal. For carpet we went to lowes it was the cheapest but best quality by far.

For my kitchen I redid the whole thing I went through a company called Diamond kitchen and bath you give them the layout and measurements of your kitchen and what you want and they will give you a computerized image of your new kitchen with all costs within your budget you can pick your cupboards out right there also. I bet you could get a really good deal right now due to the economy.

For the counter top the Diamond place could do it for you but by me just asking where they by the counters i went strait to the company they use and saved myself $400. I could have gone with granite but i found a foe granite counter top that has the rounded edges and looks like the real thing.

Hope this info helps here are there numbers good luck
Diamond Kitchen and bath- ###-###-####
Lee's Counter tops-###-###-####

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K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Having just completed most of a total house remodel(Have also done smaller projects in previous houses), I will give you my experiences.
I have always contracted through one person for the entire job. He/she are then responsible to get materials, sub contract work they can't do, and they sometimes have better results from suppliers because they will be ordering again. With that, I would recommend that you thoroughly research your contractor/interior designer. Ask to see photos of work done, references from previous clients. If you aren't sure what you want, I would recommend a design firm who can help you with your plans and the budget. When you choose your contractor, ALWAYS get a written plan and contract before you spend any money. When the project is done, be sure it is complete to your satisfaction before you make the final payment. Do not expect miracles from the contractor. Some of the tings in a kitchen or bath remodel require wait times and there is nothing you or your contractor can do about that. Just make sure they communicate with you.
Good luck! It can be fun to see the changes happen. And be patient cause you and your family will get grumpy when you eat a week of cold dinners while the kithcen is out of order. And when it is all done, ENJOY!!!

I used A Unique Design for my work. He is a designer and can give you great ideas. Also, very conscientiuos about his work quality. Phone is###-###-####

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