Is remodeling this hard or is it me?

[whoisjohngalt]

I want to remodel our downstairs bathroom.  And when I say "remodel", what I really mean is - take off wall paper, paint the walls and replace the sink and the cabinet under the sink and faucets.  That is IT.

We went to HD.  Everything they had there seemed very low quality.  I asked one of the associates and she told me that if I wanted better quality, I would have to make an appt, it would  about 1.5 hr, things would have to be ordered, etc etc etc

I thought she was joking.  I am not that picky, I know  what I want.  I know the measurements.  Sink, cabinet and faucet.  Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too.    I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order.  She said they don't work that way. 

So I gave up on that project.......now we are "remodeling" our dining room.  Taking off wall paper, painting the walls and buying new light fixture. 

[Bonny]

They were going to refer you to one of their kitchen designers. If your H.D. is like our H.D. the kitchen designers are very busy. If you want the more customized stuff which is not on the floor it must be special ordered and can't be done by a floor associate. It is a more complicated process and you want it done right.

I will also say that my experience with my H.D. kitchen designer was excellent (for a large Silestone order). He gave me a head's up with an upcoming sale and persuaded the manager to give me another upgrade when I brought in info from a sale going on at Lowes.

[zibazinski]

Jan 23, 2017 13:43:13 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I want to remodel our downstairs bathroom.  And when I say "remodel", what I really mean is - take off wall paper, paint the walls and replace the sink and the cabinet under the sink and faucets.  That is IT.

We went to HD.  Everything they had there seemed very low quality.  I asked one of the associates and she told me that if I wanted better quality, I would have to make an appt, it would  about 1.5 hr, things would have to be ordered, etc etc etc

I thought she was joking.  I am not that picky, I know  what I want.  I know the measurements.  Sink, cabinet and faucet.  Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too.    I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order.  She said they don't work that way. 

So I gave up on that project.......now we are "remodeling" our dining room.  Taking off wall paper, painting the walls and buying new light fixture. 

Do you have an IKEA? They have a beautiful selection of vanities.

[whoisjohngalt]

Not close enough

[zibazinski]

Rats. Great ones for under $500 and they have lots of storage and look high end.

[whoisjohngalt]

I might just make a day trip out of it!  I need to figure out if it will fit into my car

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I am not that picky, I know what I want. I know the measurements. Sink, cabinet and faucet. Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too. I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order. She said they don't work that way.

Do you have to pay for the appointment?  What do you have to lose if not?

After redoing the kitchen counters, backsplash, sink and faucets, I learned that it's not just measurements.  I did work with a designer (not HD), but the designer was invaluable - even for things that we were not purchasing from their showroom.  For instance, she told me that before I chose a sink, I needed to look under the sink in the cabinet to see what items might conflict with a sink.  As it turned out, the garbage disposal switch was positioned such that the left side of any sink we ordered could not be any more than 6" deep.  Yeah, we could have moved the switch, but it was cut into the solid maple of the island and would have left a hole in it in a very visible area. 

I spent more time trying to find a sink that 'fit' than I did choosing materials for the counters, but the alternative was having to get a carpenter in to make another side to the island and an electrician in to move the switch.  I found that the sink we currently had was discontinued, but was able to find one on Amazon.  Then we had to choose a faucet that matched the drilled holes.

[zibazinski]

Jan 23, 2017 14:16:26 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Not close enough

How far away? The one in Michigan was on the other side of the state. We drove the 3 hours, picked out what we wanted and had it delivered by a guy who makes that run once a week. We didn't have the vehicle for taking it home.

[whoisjohngalt]

may be within 1.5hr-2? 

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 23, 2017 14:24:43 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I am not that picky, I know what I want. I know the measurements. Sink, cabinet and faucet. Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too. I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order. She said they don't work that way.

After redoing the kitchen counters, backsplash, sink and faucets, I learned that it's not just measurements.  I did work with a designer (not HD), but the designer was invaluable - even for things that we were not purchasing from their showroom.  For instance, she told me that before I chose a sink, I needed to look under the sink in the cabinet to see what items might conflict with a sink.  As it turned out, the garbage disposal switch was positioned such that the left side of any sink we ordered could not be any more than 6" deep.  Yeah, we could have moved the switch, but it was cut into the solid maple of the island and would have left a hole in it in a very visible area. 

I spent more time trying to find a sink that 'fit' than I did choosing materials for the counters, but the alternative was having to get a carpenter in to make another side to the island and an electrician in to move the switch.  I found that the sink we currently had was discontinued, but was able to find one on Amazon.  Then we had to choose a faucet that matched the drilled holes.

I probably would welcome some help if I was doing a bigger project, but my husband is very handy and very knowledgeable and I really just need a place where I can go and buy a cabinet, sink and faucet.

Oh and I am very decisive.  She made it seem like everyone takes forever and a half to decide on the simpliest of things.

[zibazinski]

Jan 23, 2017 14:26:18 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

may be within 1.5hr-2? 

Go online and look at their stuff then call to see if they have it. I'll look up the one I thought was super and post it. See what you think.

[zibazinski]

Okay it's the Godmorgon/Braviken model. It's not for everyone but I like it.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 23, 2017 14:29:02 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Jan 23, 2017 14:24:43 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I am not that picky, I know what I want. I know the measurements. Sink, cabinet and faucet. Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too. I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order. She said they don't work that way.

After redoing the kitchen counters, backsplash, sink and faucets, I learned that it's not just measurements.  I did work with a designer (not HD), but the designer was invaluable - even for things that we were not purchasing from their showroom.  For instance, she told me that before I chose a sink, I needed to look under the sink in the cabinet to see what items might conflict with a sink.  As it turned out, the garbage disposal switch was positioned such that the left side of any sink we ordered could not be any more than 6" deep.  Yeah, we could have moved the switch, but it was cut into the solid maple of the island and would have left a hole in it in a very visible area. 

I spent more time trying to find a sink that 'fit' than I did choosing materials for the counters, but the alternative was having to get a carpenter in to make another side to the island and an electrician in to move the switch.  I found that the sink we currently had was discontinued, but was able to find one on Amazon.  Then we had to choose a faucet that matched the drilled holes.

I probably would welcome some help if I was doing a bigger project, but my husband is very handy and very knowledgeable and I really just need a place where I can go and buy a cabinet, sink and faucet.

Oh and I am very decisive.  She made it seem like everyone takes forever and a half to decide on the simpliest of things.

When I dealt with the designer, she asked me what I was looking for.  I told her, and she pointed me in the direction/gave me the books/boards of what I was looking for.  I found that it was easier than sifting through hundreds of books or samples to find what I had in mind.  She was also pretty good in letting me 'check out' material to see if I liked what it looked like in my home.  I took one sample home, and quickly realized that it clashed horribly with the floor that we had no intention of changing.  I took another sample home, and the massive amount of filtered sun light gave it a totally different hue in my kitchen than it did in the showroom.

[imawino]

It is absolutely that hard. Everything about it sucks! Hateful.  The worst.  Don't do it!!

LOL I'm in week 3 of remodeling our master bathroom and I'm getting cranky.

[imawino]

Jan 23, 2017 14:29:02 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Jan 23, 2017 14:24:43 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I am not that picky, I know what I want. I know the measurements. Sink, cabinet and faucet. Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too. I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order. She said they don't work that way.

After redoing the kitchen counters, backsplash, sink and faucets, I learned that it's not just measurements.  I did work with a designer (not HD), but the designer was invaluable - even for things that we were not purchasing from their showroom.  For instance, she told me that before I chose a sink, I needed to look under the sink in the cabinet to see what items might conflict with a sink.  As it turned out, the garbage disposal switch was positioned such that the left side of any sink we ordered could not be any more than 6" deep.  Yeah, we could have moved the switch, but it was cut into the solid maple of the island and would have left a hole in it in a very visible area. 

I spent more time trying to find a sink that 'fit' than I did choosing materials for the counters, but the alternative was having to get a carpenter in to make another side to the island and an electrician in to move the switch.  I found that the sink we currently had was discontinued, but was able to find one on Amazon.  Then we had to choose a faucet that matched the drilled holes.

I probably would welcome some help if I was doing a bigger project, but my husband is very handy and very knowledgeable and I really just need a place where I can go and buy a cabinet, sink and faucet.

Oh and I am very decisive.  She made it seem like everyone takes forever and a half to decide on the simpliest of things.

HD and Lowes (as well as plenty of other sites, probably Overstock, Wayfair, maybe Houzz) have tons of bathroom vanity options online.  You could pick out the one you want and have it delivered to your door!  (or at least to the store)

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 23, 2017 14:49:32 GMT -5 imawino said:

It is absolutely that hard. Everything about it sucks! Hateful.  The worst.  Don't do it!!

LOL I'm in week 3 of remodeling our master bathroom and I'm getting cranky.

Nooooooooo, don't tell me that!!!!!!!!

It's one tiny bathroom and I just need 3 simple items!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was suppose to be our "trial" remodel before doing bigger stuff - like master bathroom, kids' bathroom, our bedroom that has the ugliest wall paper

i will not survive this!

[souldoubt]

If your husband is doing the work, you know the measurements (as they say measure twice) and you're decisive then I'd order online or find a place that specializes in bath/kitchen fixtures.  Locally there's a place that does just that and their warehouse which includes a showroom has all the vanities, counter tops, etc. that they carry.  You walk in, find the one you want, have them check if they have it in stock and if so you pay via cash/debit, they let you inspect it before signing off then they load it in your car and that's that.  We have multiple Home Depots around here but even the largest one which is massive doesn't have everything in stock so if you go there and find something you like they may still have to order it.  Replacing a sink/counter/vanity in a bathroom when you're doing the work really doesn't require meeting with anyone at Home Depot.   

Edit - I did a remodel similar to yours sans the wallpaper in my downstairs bathroom - new vanity, vanity top, faucet, paint and so on.  Getting the vanity in there given the layout was the hardest part and we had to cut like an inch off the vanity top so it would fit.  

[bean29]

I did the selections for my house, chose everything for my MIL's remodel and did the selections for a full bath and full Kitchen in my basement.  How hard it is depends on how much you or your DH knows, and if you know your budget (and are realistic about what you can afford), and if you are in the right store.  I would probably talk to a designer, just to pick their brain and see what they suggest.  Our house is not so high end that I would turn up my nose at what Home Depot or Lowes has on the floor, but it is not low end either.

I have never designed a kitchen without talking to a designer, and you won't have to wait real long for an appointment, but you probably will need to schedule an appointment.  If you did not like the selections at Home Depot, try Lowes if you have one in your area, imho, their stuff tends to be a little more high end.  Most of the tile I selected for my basement finishes is from Lowes.  My cabinets in the basement are from a local supplier, but my MIL's kitchen was designed and supplied by Lowes. 

My DH does a lot of his own stuff, and hires some of it out.  We do frequently purchase from Home Depot and their quality is pretty dam good.  DH gets his lumber from there most of the time b/c they store it inside vs a cheaper Hardware store that keeps more stuff outside. 

Good luck. 

eta, my DH is always working on something. What is your hurry?  This is something you are going have to live with for a long time to come, you absolutely want to get something you can live with. Slow down and take the time to make well thought out decisions.

[imawino]

Jan 23, 2017 14:52:37 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Jan 23, 2017 14:49:32 GMT -5 imawino said:

It is absolutely that hard. Everything about it sucks! Hateful.  The worst.  Don't do it!!

LOL I'm in week 3 of remodeling our master bathroom and I'm getting cranky.

Nooooooooo, don't tell me that!!!!!!!!

It's one tiny bathroom and I just need 3 simple items!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was suppose to be our "trial" remodel before doing bigger stuff - like master bathroom, kids' bathroom, our bedroom that has the ugliest wall paper

i will not survive this!

Well, we demo'd the old shower, ripped up the vinyl flooring, etc.  Installed new lights, tiled the floors and halfway up the walls.  Retiled the shower.  Changed the vanity top and all faucets.  The main hold ups have been repairing drywall and attempting to level floors that were apparently very not level!

That said, it is a TINY room and this is taking forever.  And all that dust from sanding drywall and mixing mortar and grout gets EVERYWHERE. 

[alabamagal]

Are you just looking for the vanity part - sink and under the sink?  Check to see if you have a Ferguson, or other bath/plumbing warehouse near you.  You might get more selection/better service.

Most of the stuff at HD or Lowes that is in stock is low end stuff.  I worked with Lowe's when I remodeled kitchen cabinets and was very pleased to work with the guy that I did.  Made some great suggestions on different types of cabinets, espescially corner ones and ones around the fridge.  But for bathroom vanity seems overkill to work with designer.

[hoops902]

Jan 23, 2017 13:43:13 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

I want to remodel our downstairs bathroom.  And when I say "remodel", what I really mean is - take off wall paper, paint the walls and replace the sink and the cabinet under the sink and faucets.  That is IT.

We went to HD.  Everything they had there seemed very low quality.  I asked one of the associates and she told me that if I wanted better quality, I would have to make an appt, it would  about 1.5 hr, things would have to be ordered, etc etc etc

I thought she was joking.  I am not that picky, I know  what I want.  I know the measurements.  Sink, cabinet and faucet.  Not top of the line, but not garbage either. And if they don't have the exact one, I OK with that too.    I told her I need like 5 minutes to tell her what I want to order.  She said they don't work that way. 

So I gave up on that project.......now we are "remodeling" our dining room.  Taking off wall paper, painting the walls and buying new light fixture. 

It's that hard because everyone who walks in there thinks they know the measurements and knows what they want...then they special order something and call in screaming 2 days later because "it doesn't fit" because they measured the wrong thing, or the wrong way, or something. 

Remodeling isn't hard, if you actually know exactly what you want just order it online.  Not allowing random stock-people to do your special orders is a benefit to both you and the company.

[busymom]

If it's any consolation, even when you hire out a job, there's plenty of problems, like delays (both in materials, & scheduling with the contractor). It's no wonder people like to buy new construction!

[Tiny]

Do you have Bath and Kitchen remodel type shops in your area? They usually have a better selection of stuff - it will probably have to be ordered - but you might get lucky and they may some stuff on site.

My experience with Home Depot is that they have a lot of "pretty" so-so stuff in any color, size, shape you want off the shelf, and then literally 1 or 2 of the higher end things  off the shelf.    If the higher end thing they have in the store is the color and size you need - you are lucky.      If you know what higher end thing you want (and have time) you can get them to order it for you.

I haven't used Ikea yet - but I'm seriously considering an "Ikea Kitchen" for my local rental property when I get around to tearing out that kitchen.   I put a middle of the road sink, vanity, faucet, medicine chest/mirror,  toilet, and lighting from Home Depot into the rental bathroom.  My tenant (nephew)  replaced the toilet with a higher end one... the other stuff seems to be holding up well and is still 'fashionable'.     

 

[cameragrrl]

We are in the middle of a remodel. We ordered one of our vanities through home depot from Kraftmaid because we did all of our kitchen in something similar. They charge a pretty hefty shipping fee, so be prepared for that as well. For our other bathrooms we ended up buying something from Signature Hardware. We had to do it online but I was able to choose the top of the vanity with several granite/marble/ceramic options and there were different sink types (rectangular, round, vessel etc). They're not cheap, but quality is decent. Of course, there's no showroom so you can't see them in person, but they have a pretty solid return policy.

[Anne_in_VA]

I'd like to work with a designer when we get ready to remodel my kitchen, but I'm not sure how to go about finding one.  DSIL will build the cabinets for me (he's a carpenter), but I need help with layout and choosing finishes.  DSIL did our bath remodel and while I love it, I wish I had gotten someone to help with some of the finish choices.

[zibazinski]

I want those toilets that don't touch the floor. Cleaning down there is nasty.

[Deleted]

It sucks. Don't build a house. Seriously. I mean, maybe it's like baby pains and in a year I won't remember, but no, it's not you.

[taz157]

We sold our house last year, but also replaced all bathroom vanities (4 - 2 in the master bathroom, 1 in the upstairs bath and 1 in the half bath). All vanities were bought at either Lowes, and were not special orders. We loved how they looked.

You can also like at Wayfair, etc. and have it shipped to you. There was one that DH loved (forgot which website) for our old master bathroom but didn't get it as it was $2K. If we were staying at the house long-term, we may have but didn't in the end as we already knew we were moving. The vanities we ended up with were no where near $2K.

[taz157]

Jan 23, 2017 15:53:16 GMT -5 busymom said:

If it's any consolation, even when you hire out a job, there's plenty of problems, like delays (both in materials, & scheduling with the contractor). It's no wonder people like to buy new construction!

We are having a house built (known builder already building in the neighborhood). The only thing we'll have to do is paint from builder's white before we move in. We may change some of the flooring (cheaper for us to do it ourselves versus mortgaging it) before we move in but haven't fully decided yet.

[Deleted]

We got rid of our vanity last week and just picked up a plain and simple pedestal sink at HD. So long as i have room to shove a wheelchair and a walker in without hurting myself, didn't really care what it looks like. It's white. Bathroom is ugly but will be getting painted this spring.