Non-DIY installation

elizabeth_va · Jul 27th, 05, 2:03 pm

So, we sent our kitchen plan to an installer in our area. Just as some background, we have --are you sitting down?-- 11 cabinets.TOTAL. The estimate came back at almost $3,800! :shock: I mean, REALLY. Did I mention thenumber of cabinets we have? I thought so. Okay, those 11 cabinets cost between 1500 and 2k, depending on what door style we have. I am shocked (shocked!) that this person thinks we are going to pay 2x the cost of the cabs to have them installed.

While this is sort of bad news for us, it is even worse for you all. Because this means we are likely to DIY and we are going to have lots and lots of questions.

lol

For those who may be interested in details, the estimate did include demo and removal/disposal of the old kitchen. Which is 10cabs, a laminate counter/bar, SS sink. We are not getting new appliances. It also included some plumbing (?) and I think the install of our new laminate counter, though did not include a sink cutout. It did *not* include any electrical, floor install, or wall removal. Well, thank goodness for that!

Its probably relevant, so I'll mention that we are in the DC area.

Megan, whose jaw is still firmly planted in the ground

GardenOfDarwin · Jul 27th, 05, 2:42 pm

Megan

We'll be glad to answer your questions!! As a rule of thumb, folks have said that assembly and installation costs generally run at about 1/2 the cost of the cabinets, in your case, probably $750-$1000. But, demo isn't accounted for, neither is any plumbing. Heck, for $2800, I'll come up and rip it out myself!

Have you checked with the other installers in the area? There used to be 3 area certified installers recommended out of the Woodbridge, VA store, but last time I was there, I only saw 2 on the list. Even so...you should get a second opinion.

On the other hand...you could buy a lot of nice accessories with even $750!!!

Susan

elizabeth_va · Jul 27th, 05, 3:29 pm

Yeah, the one we got the estimate from was the 3rd installer who is no longer on the list IKEA provides. When we called him, he said that IKEA is instituting a "package" deal and the price they want the installers to charge is not "profitable" (his word) for his business. We asked one of the KDs about the package deal and she said its not finalized yet, but they were hoping by Nov-Dec. So, what's that translate to in IKEA-speak ... Mar/Apr 06?

We called one of the remaining two a few weeks ago and when we finally got someone on the phone, they said they were booked until September.

So, whatever. We have Lowri's DVD (thanks again!), but have yet to watch it. I think we'll end up DIY. As noted, our kitchen isn't that big and I don't think we are doing any modifications, so I just can't imagine it will be so difficult that we would be able to justify all that money. And you are right, even $750 goes a long way ... like towards a new range!

A while ago, pickles (I think it was pickles) suggested doing the assemble/install in pieces, which is what I think we might do in order to minimize trash, box space, etc.

Okay, now I'm just babbling.

Mostly, I just wanted to provide some information about installers, since I think I noticed a few questions about them on THS. The estimate is detailed in terms of the "activities", but it doesn't list prices for each one. Anyway, if anyone is interested feel free to email me and I'll be happy to send it out.

Megan

Lisa · Jul 27th, 05, 3:35 pm

megan, for what it's worth, if I didn't have access to a "rural recycling center" (formerly known as dumps, tips or landfills) the base cost for renting a dumpster to house my demo debris would have been quite a chunk of change. I don't know what your current set up is, but I have old "built in place" cabinets that seem to have been constructed with a 1:10 ratio of wood to nails. Admittedly, I'm a paralegal, not a construction worker, but it's a lot of work.

I have no idea what IKEA construction fees should run, but I got a $4000 quote from HD for removal of my existing cabs and installation of 6 new ones.

The DIY is not difficult at all. When I started all I knew how to do was paint and wallpaper. I had never even put together any IKEA furniture. I'm so pleased with my results in the pantry and half bath and I quite enjoy all the compliments I get on the spaces knowing that I did 85% of it myself.

KitchenMom · Jul 27th, 05, 4:17 pm

We just got an estimate from an Ikea installer in our area for $4500 for assembly and installation of approx. 30 cabinets. Compared to what we've been hearing about installation charges, this seemed quite reasonable to us, though it didn't include any demo, or any other work, just the cabinets. That number is probably about 60% of our cabinet order (depending on doorstyle).

The bad news for us (I'm still reeling) is that our GC came back this morning with a more detailed estimate of about $53K, and that doesn't include painting or installing the new floor. This is almost $10K more than the original ballpark estimate. I'm really not sure what to do now, b/c it will push us over our budget, and we really can't DIY much with 2 young kids and 2 full-time jobs. Ack! I'm trying not to think about what this will mean for our renovation.

elizabeth_va · Jul 27th, 05, 4:36 pm

Wow, Lisa, 4k for demo and 6 cabs? Yipes.

There is a dumpwithin a mile ofour house where we can, well, dump for a small fee. Can you give me more details on how much debris you are producing? You have me wondering if we need a dumpster. I apologize in advance for the "thinking-outloud-braindump", but here's what I think we have to remove:

- 5 upper cabinets, 5 base cabinets (doors, cabinet frames, hardware, nails<!!&gt

- roughly 17 linear feet of laminate cabinet + 4" backsplash

- roughly 15 linear feet of laminate counter (the bar)

- toekick, quarter-round

- 33x22 SS sink + faucet (+ maybe garbage disposal)

We have access to a pick-up truck where I was assuming we would just load all the old stuff and then haul to the dump. I'm not expecting it to fit in one trip, but hopefully two, three tops?

I am assuming that our range/oven (itsafreestanding?), OTR micro and frig need to be moved out of the kitchen, right? Our DW is at an end run, will that need to come out, too? Hmm. We will need to make some space for those guys. I hope my parents don't mind if we move in with them for a while!

Thankfully they are v. cool and only 5 miles away.

After removal of the old stuff, is it necessary to patch up the drywall where the screws/nails were? Our new cabs will be taller than the old ones, so I don't think we will need to paint.

Phew. I think that's enough for now. Any comments are welcome. So far, I have only been looking at this project in terms of the big picture and have not really thought about all the details. :?

Lisa · Jul 27th, 05, 8:46 pm

One word: Freecycle. Join your local list. Put out feelers. Someone came today and got my island cabs, my ancient cooktop and my PINK laminate Formica counters. Tell them they get it out. You may get some free demo work

I know people would want a stainless sink.

Otherwise, I have been trying to use contractor's bags to my best advantage since non contractor construction debris can be picked up curbside. I've recycled all my IKEA cardboard.

I think I am on my second full size pickup load. But getting rid of the stuff in drips and drabs means I've had a rather ghettotastic pile of junk all summer long *sigh*

Did I mention that the 6 cabs were quoted at $3900 with no interior fittings at all? Then add to that the $4K install. Since my total budget was $5K...hello, IKEA

elizabeth_va · Jul 27th, 05, 9:20 pm

Oooh, Freecycle. That's just sheer genius. Everything is in pretty decent shape, it just doesn't work for us. I cannot wait to have a single sink.

KitchenMom, I'm sorry to hear about your estimates. We have a one year-old, which is why we put out feelers for installers. I don't know, though, I think we are going to have to try it.

GardenOfDarwin · Jul 27th, 05, 10:03 pm

Megan

I have a 2 (almost 3) year old and a (just turned) 4 year old. Admittedly, we both work from home, so we're HERE. On the other hand, we're HERE. I think that if you plan it out and work intelligently, you can do this yourselves with a minimum amount of disturbance to your lives.You seem like a smart woman, and if you have grandparental reinforcements nearby, I say activate them!

Do you have space tokeep your kitchen things and refrigerator/appliances in working order while you demo and build? A card table, a mini fridge and a microwave/toaster oven will probably do you, but if you can keep your fridge functional and have a small hotplate, all the better. Our dishwasher lived in the dining room for months, and I still have sheets of plywood and hardibacker in there--and I had a big party on Sunday! Only one guest commented...and he wanted to know about tiling!

You'll also need space to assemble cabinets and to keep your order, but if you do things in bits and peices, ordering and picking up only what you plan to install quickly, you shouldn't need more than a small area. We worked in the breakfast room, uppers before lowers,and left everything else standing up against the wall until we were ready for it. We even took the uppers down once or twice to finish up the countertop and to raise the height on one cabinet to better accomodate my lovely faucet.

We scheduled the plumber ourselves, but we don't have stringent codes around here, so that made it easier. Check on whatyou'll need to do about permits and inspections. If you work in small chunks with a plan, I think you'll be fine. And you'll have all of us here to answer any questions as they come up. Hiring a GC has its advantages (less work for you), but also it's disadvantages (less control for you). See Lessons Learnedby Polaris_1492 for a Contractor Nightmare.

Susan

lowride · Aug 2nd, 05, 8:12 am

Megan,

Have you looked at the services section of Craigslist? I know that I have seen ads for people who do Ikea assembly and installation there. I have no idea of the quality involved. You may be able to hire someone from there even if it is only for helping with the installation.

I have also seen ads there for hauling away junk. Check it out at:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/cgi-bin/search?areaID=10&subAreaID=0&query=ikea&cat=bbb

I have no experience with any of these people. I did have a friend advertised there as a handyman and he did get a lot of work.

Good Luck

Lowri