Island for Kitchen

[Luci Marcum]

I would like a custom island in my kitchen with a seating area attached. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? I would really like to do it myself :SM117:, but would it be more advantageous to hire someone to do it?

Thank you!

[Dan Auito]

I would like a custom island in my kitchen with a seating area attached. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? I would really like to do it myself :SM117:, but would it be more advantageous to hire someone to do it?

Thank you!

Luci, Dave (OakRichland) is our king of remodels here. give him a PM in addition to the comments received here! :SM025:

[Aldo]

I've done a few of these and have some ideas to share, but it would be helpful to have more detail - ideally, a pic of the floor plan. Also, is this to be a detached island or a perpendicular attachment to a wall or end cabinet?

[OKRICHLAND]

I would like a custom island in my kitchen with a seating area attached. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? I would really like to do it myself :SM117:, but would it be more advantageous to hire someone to do it?

Thank you!

Hello Luci,
OKRICHLAND here.
This all depends on the budget that you have to work with.
Are you on a concrete slab or do you have a crawl space or basement under your house?
Making the island is the easy part.
Just put a couple pieces of nice matching cabinetry
together and have your local solid surface company (counter tops) come out and measure for the custom counter top that you want.
Unless you are a pro at making counter tops, then leave that to the companies that have the $150,000 tools that it takes to get the job done right.
This also depends on what type of flooring that you have down at the present time, and the concrete slab thing , of course.
Putting in the appliances, gas, plumbing and electric are another story.
Let's say you are on a concrete slab and have ceramic tile on the floor then you may set the island on top of the tile, assuming that the tile was put down level. This you can do by installing ell (L) brackets into the floor using a masonry drill bit and concrete anchors, (#10 x 2" wood screws, if you have a wood floor under the tile). Simply attach the cabinets to the brackets,
(this is assuming that you are not looking to have any electrical, appliances or plumbing).
If you are having the electrical or plumbing done then you should have those things done by a Qualified professional.
Just make sure that you get references.
Sometimes a deposit may be required, depending on the amount of work that has to be done.
You must be the judge of character and references.
It's easy for someone to talk a good talk; It's another thing to show results. :SM139:
You can view my work portfolio by clicking on my web site link: www.remodelingcreations.com Just click here,
or you can type it into your address bar at the top of your screen then add it to your book marks list.
There is an e-mail link on every page. there is also a phone number where I can be reached at any time day or evening, for whenever you need any more technical advice on the plumbing, electrical, flooring, framing, etc, etc. (That would be a real honor).
After 25 years of owning my remodeling company, I've dipped my hands into just about every case scenario you can think of.
Feel free to call any time so that I can know just what type of kitchen situation you have right now. :SM025:
I may be able to walk you right through the project and save you money. :)

[Luci Marcum]

I've done a few of these and have some ideas to share, but it would be helpful to have more detail - ideally, a pic of the floor plan. Also, is this to be a detached island or a perpendicular attachment to a wall or end cabinet?

I tried to upload the picture with several different extensions, but it kept saying invalid format. Here is the link: http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howTo&p=HomeDecor/TrendUpdateMay03.html&rn=RightNavFiles/rightNavHomeDecor. I am looking the island about halfway down marked multilevel (caption states multilevel islands offer eating and preparation solutions.). The island will be detached.

Thanks for your help! :clap:

[Luci Marcum]

Hello Luci,
OKRICHLAND here.
This all depends on the budget that you have to work with.
Are you on a concrete slab or do you have a crawl space or basement under your house?
Making the island is the easy part.
Just put a couple pieces of nice matching cabinetry
together and have your local solid surface company (counter tops) come out and measure for the custom counter top that you want.
Unless you are a pro at making counter tops, then leave that to the companies that have the $150,000 tools that it takes to get the job done right.
This also depends on what type of flooring that you have down at the present time, and the concrete slab thing , of course.
Putting in the appliances, gas, plumbing and electric are another story.
Let's say you are on a concrete slab and have ceramic tile on the floor then you may set the island on top of the tile, assuming that the tile was put down level. This you can do by installing ell (L) brackets into the floor using a masonry drill bit and concrete anchors, (#10 x 2" wood screws, if you have a wood floor under the tile). Simply attach the cabinets to the brackets,
(this is assuming that you are not looking to have any electrical, appliances or plumbing).
If you are having the electrical or plumbing done then you should have those things done by a Qualified professional.
Just make sure that you get references.
Sometimes a deposit may be required, depending on the amount of work that has to be done.
You must be the judge of character and references.
It's easy for someone to talk a good talk; It's another thing to show results. :SM139:
You can view my work portfolio by clicking on my web site link: www.remodelingcreations.com Just click here,
or you can type it into your address bar at the top of your screen then add it to your book marks list.
There is an e-mail link on every page. there is also a phone number where I can be reached at any time day or evening, for whenever you need any more technical advice on the plumbing, electrical, flooring, framing, etc, etc. (That would be a real honor).
After 25 years of owning my remodeling company, I've dipped my hands into just about every case scenario you can think of.
Feel free to call any time so that I can know just what type of kitchen situation you have right now. :SM025:
I may be able to walk you right through the project and save you money. :)

We are on a concrete slab with no crawl space. At the present our flooring is linoleum (came with the house). Our goal is to put down wood flooring within the next year. My husband and and I were actually talking last night about what to do first...wood floors or island. Any thoughts?

We are lucky and have a really open floorplan. I will be selling my dinette and the island will serve as the place to eat. We will not be putting any appliances in the island. I have added a link to the post below so you can see a picture of what I would like to do.

Thank you everyone for all of your help and incredible knowledge! :SM049:

[OKRICHLAND]

We are on a concrete slab with no crawl space. At the present our flooring is linoleum (came with the house). Our goal is to put down wood flooring within the next year. My husband and and I were actually talking last night about what to do first...wood floors or island. Any thoughts?

We are lucky and have a really open floorplan. I will be selling my dinette and the island will serve as the place to eat. We will not be putting any appliances in the island. I have added a link to the post below so you can see a picture of what I would like to do.

Thank you everyone for all of your help and incredible knowledge! :SM049:
Hi Luci,
OKRICHLAND again.
First of all, you definitely want to install the island first and then install your wood floor up to the island.
You might want to consider budgeting to have both jobs done simultaneously.
There is nothing worse then living in a home where the kitchen always seems to be under construction.
If you are saying that there will not be any electrical plugs, sinks or appliances then this should be a fairly simple and clean project.
If both jobs are done properly and in a professional workmanlike manner
then your kitchen should have no down time. :thumbup:

Let's assume that the floor and island will be done simultaneously.

#1. start looking for a local contractor in your area with a great reputation for there kitchens, cabinetry and trim carpentry. These guys may be able to take on the whole project for you. (Cabinets, counter tops and floors).
REMEMBER: They must have solid references for there experience, quality of craftsmanship, attitude and number of years in business. A picture portfolio also helps.
Ask if they carry insurance.
Watch how they move around while taking measurements. See how they have arranged there picture book. These things can be a great reflection of there personality. Ask if the person who is giving the estimate will also be doing the work. You don't want helpers coming into work with hangovers. :beer:

I DO NOT recommend that you use a contractor from either Low's or Home Depot.
If you are buying your products from them, especially flooring, they will entice you with cardholder specials and other gimmicks in order to let them install for you.
These installers have been known to turn the most simple task into a nightmare for the costumer. After that, you will mysteriously loose contact with the installer.
Once you are in their quagmire, it can be very difficult to dig yourself out.
These cases have been proven nation wide.

Same thing with your wood floor installer. (Make sure they have a great reputation).

Now find the company in your area who custom builds there counter tops
right there in the shop. Usually there is only one or two company's per city.
have them come out and measure for the counter tops after the kitchen crew has installed the cabinets,(it should take about three weeks for the counter tops to come in and be cut to size). You should have them install there own product. This should not interfare with your kitchen crews ability to do there job in a timely manner.
Look for the person whose worked in the Low's cabinet department the longest. He might know how to get in touch, or try the yellow pages.

#2 Now that you have your crew together,
Remember this: YOUR THE BOSS ! !
Once they start the project, they are not to leave on another job until they are finished with yours first.
You must put that in the contract!
Also, you must have clear stipulations concerning any deposits (if any).
Make sure that you have a clear start date and completion date.
You should have a clean kitchen between the time your kitchen crew is finished and paid off and the time it takes for your counter tops to be installed, witch should take less then one hour of work, once your counter tops come in.
This may sound complicated but it's really not, if you have a good contractor.

Now fly on and make this happen.
Actual work time should take about three or four days.

You have my e-mail if you have any more questions. :thumbsup: