The background: my pandemic project was  planning out a full kitchen remodel with a budget of $35K. We started demo during summer of 2021, and lived without a working kitchen for about 18 months while we spent weekends and holidays constructing the new kitchen. Kitchen was fully functional by 2023, but it took us a while to complete the peripheral projects so we could call it complete in 2025. 

Here are some of the common questions we get asked about our experience with a DIY project this big. Feel free to ask anything else! 

Q: Was it worth the all the effort and stress to DIY?

A: For us, YES, absolutely! The money we saved by doing most of the work ourselves meant we had more money available to improve the overall layout and invest in features that we couldn’t have afforded otherwise. The result was a custom kitchen with good quality finishes at a price tag that was roughly 6O% less than friends and neighbors who hired pros to update their kitchens during the same timeframe. The new kitchen has increased the value of our home in a competitive real estate market.

Q: What was the biggest drawback of DIYing?

A: Definitely the time to completion. It was a slow process for two adults (and their teen daughter) who were working full-time, volunteering, helping elderly parents, and enjoying occasional vacations. We knew three other couples who started remodels after we did and were cooking in their new kitchens 2-3 months later, while we were still trying to pick out countertops! 

On the flip side, because we didn’t have the pressure of a contractor’s deadlines, we could put as much time as we needed to select materials, fine tune our design, and change our minds if we felt like it.

Q: What parts of the remodel did you hire out?

A: There were just a few things we hired out because we knew someone else could do them better than we could. Drywall repair and finishing was one, since adjacent walls  had a distinctive texture we needed to match. We have family members who are licensed and could supervise my husband with plumbing and electrical so his work would meet code, but we hired out the tile backsplash because by then we were tired. We also hired a local company to remove the damaged hardwood flooring that stuck too well to our cement slab before they installed new LVP, and had counters professionally fabricated and installed.

Q: Besides doing the work yourselves, what choices did you make that saved you  most money? 

A: Biggest budget stretcher by far was buying the cabinetry from IKEA and constructing/installing it ourselves. We purchased Sektion cabinet boxes and interior components, but finished them with higher-quality cabinet doors from Allstyle Retrofit. Even with the higher-priced custom doors, the total cost was 50% less than the same number of Kraftmade cabinets we priced at Lowe’s. 

Second biggest savings came by selecting two different countertop materials. We loved the heat-resistant properties and luxe appearance of quartzite, but cutting a slab big enough to fit our huge island was going to be $$$. We compromised by installing quartzite on the perimeter counters and using solid-surface Corian in a complimentary color for the large island. 

And one quirky way we saved was by selecting lighting and fixtures we liked on Amazon, then waiting to buy them until they came up as “Used Like New”. We saved anywhere from 50-60% off the normal retail price by exercising a little patience.

Q: What were your splurges?

A: Appliances and the workstation sink. We selected GE Cafe appliances (stove and fridge) based on aesthetics and quality/performance reviews. Same for the drawer microwave (brand is Sharp), it improved both the form and function of the kitchen layout, and it exceeded our expectations; super easy to clean and heats food evenly. 

The 45 inch stainless steel Ruvati workstation sink has unexpectedly  been one of our favorite features of the new kitchen. It has wood and stainless steel components that transform the sink from a prep zone to an entertaining zone. And the two faucets are a game changer for when we have multiple cooks in the kitchen. 

Q: How are the IKEA cabinets holding up? 

A: Fantastic! We have zero complaints and lots of good things to say about the quality of the Sektion cabinets. Interior components have a wide range of customizable features (like hidden drawers) and they were fairly easy to install. I would absolutely use them again. 

One thing we discovered is that it’s possible to “Frankenstein” IKEA cabinets if you need a different size. Sizing of boxes is limited. We utilized two 24” boxes to make a 48” sink base, and cut the standard 24” deep base cabinets down to 12” deep for the storage on the backside of our island. Once we realized the possibility existed, it became much easier to customize our design. 

Q: Is there anything you’d change bout your new kitchen?

A: We’re beyond happy with it! I can only think of a couple things. A) Wish I would have selected two paint shades with a bit more contrast for the cabinets. B) I should have use false drawer fronts instead of doors on the base cabinets to the left of the range, just to keep things looking balanced. 

Swipe thru for the before pictures,  and feel to ask any questions you have.

DIY Kitchen Remodel Q & A