How do the home shows do a complete makeover on $2,000?

Question

I need to update my home in several areas. My total budget is $7,000. With hubby in a wheelchair, I want to put down wood/laminate flooring for ease in getting around; tile in the kitchen and baths; update the kitchen cupboards, counters, sink and hardware; and re-do lighting, adding a pendant over the sink, a fan somewhere in the center of the kitchen and removing a boxed in group of fluorescents that date the kitchen.

I also need a new dishwasher, but that can wait if need be.

I'm thinking of putting up beadboard throughout the living room and kitchen, because my house looks like a one-story farmhouse with a semi-open floor plan that makes it difficult to delineate the kitchen/living room area.

I'd like to give it a sort of Florida cottage feel, but not all the shabby chic stuff I see. I'd rather have clean and beachy, although we live inland.

Where do the shows find fancy sinks and counter tops and still come in at $2,000 or there about. The same with flooring. I need a little over 1,000 SF, which includes 10% for errors. This doesn't include kitchen tiling or bathrooms.

I can do some of the work - I'm fairly handy, having laid tile and carpeting, painted and papered, hung ceiling fans and even done some minor plumbing repairs. And I have the name of a good handyman to help.

I know this is long, but I'm hoping some contractor or decorator might be willing to share some ideas.

Thanks for any help and ideas anyone can give me.

Answer 1

it's TV, honey!

Answer 2

ALot of times, you can find these items as "misorders, or left overs" from another job. You can get great deals this way. Also, look up on the net the products you're searching for before you start to buy.  

Answer 3

The suggestions already made are excellent.  Go to paint stores and look at the odds and ends of paint.  I have picked up a gallon of paint for $3.98.  Make sure the type of paint is for the purpose intended.

Prioritize your jobs, i.e.flooring before cabinets.  Also, look for construction recycling places, they frequently have overages of tile, flooring, cabinets, sinks, lighting, etc.  I got a deep cast iron  bath tub for $30.

Answer 4

Well it is good that you are handy, this can save lots of money.With a budget of $7k you should be able to do most if not all of your list. You just have to be real thrifty. Like all the posters above, Craigs List is an angel in disguise. Look daily and check out the free section,you could find a diamond in the rough. Do you have a Big Lots,Ollies or Family Dollar near by? Best place to get the sticky tiles, less then $10 a box and paint for less then $15 a gal. Beadboard is very nice and beachy, it is cheaper to buy the unfinished and paint it yourself. Or save even more and just do beachy colors and decor.As for the cabinets,save money and reface;paint add new hardware, big difference for little money.Counter tops,depending on their condition of yours, you can laminate over them or buy the premade and save money. A box of tiles doesn't cost too much but you will need a saw to cut them.If the sink is good, maybe just a new faucet will change the look. I am always doing something new and cheapest way I can. Good Luck

Answer 5

You are gonna have to do most of the work. Look for materials on Craigslist and ebay, classifieds. Also check the clearance, returns, etc. section of the hardware store. Most of all you have to be creative. I could redo my whole house with $7000! You have to hunt for the bargain and use your imagination. For instance, I used Armstrong vinyl floor tiles to create a new countertop and backsplash in the kitchen and only trimmed it with expensive tiles. I am in the process of using scrap beadboard and moulding to reface my cabinet doors.  

Answer 6

demolition sales for the major pieces like bathroom and kitchen. You will need help tho as you usually have to pull the stuff out yourself.

someone mentioned craigslist and ebay...ebay is falling behind in the private sellers selling for cheap area whereas craigslist has free postings and some people just want there items gone. I've seen brand new (looking) sofas and furniture as well as slightly used bathroom fixtures. Also, you can get tile and flooring inexpensively on there if you're patient. This week (in my area) I saw a huge lot of wood flooring that a homeowner refused once arrived. The guy was selling for half what he paid and it was brand new in the boxes.

the tv shows have warehouses and contacts in most of the places they go and they know who to contact...they also have assistants galore calling around for the deals before they show up. Also, keep in mind, they have carpenters on hand to make whatever furniture they can't find...and not just the carpenter we see, there's a team of them behind the scenes. (I'm an addict to these shows). :-)  they're also designers and have the resources designers have.