All Forum Posts by: Alex Ankudovich

I agree with Jaysen Medhurst, If this is a rental there is a lot of meintenance that needs to be done, and no one will do it. We work with many investors and contractors, for a flip we almost always do Granite and in higher ARV we do quartz. Sometimes we would do a butcher block as an accent top in the island but thats pretty rare.

If this is your home sounds like you already have a pretty good idea about the upkeep

This is not a problem. The way I would go is call the installer of the top, send them pictures and ask them to fix it. They will probably charge you for them to come out but repair will be fast ad they will use same stuff they use on the miters. They will clean it and make sure its nice and smooth. This should not be abig deal for them at all

Good Luck!

I have a different opinion on HD or Lowes cabinets. While it's pretty convenient but the cabinets are particle board. 

Downsides of particle board cabinets: Drawers are particle board. The first thing to break is the drawer fronts if you have a rough user. The glides have that white roller in the front, those fall off all the time.. If you have some water in the cabinet the particle board will swell up pretty quick, happens in sink bases..

Ed Emmons mentioned RTA cabinets.  Portland is a large city and will have many good local kitchen places that carry those, shop around. Those cabinets would be the best and most likely be around the same price. Look for a place that works with investors and contractors, they will have the best pricing.

As far as the refr goes, its done pretty easy. You need to purchase:

1. Fridge that accepts the panel (usually its a metal trim that is available as optional). 

2. Order a regular 1/4'' thick back panel (they are usually 4'x8') that is the same finish as the cabinets

3. Decorative door that is slightly smaller than the refr door

Installation: 

1. Cut out a piece from the 1/4'' back panel that will slide into the refr door (Usually the refr will come with instructions and all of the measurements are in the installation instructions)

2. Before you install the panel into the refr, secure the decorative door to the panel from the back

3. Slide the panel with the door secured to it and secure the final metal track on the refr door

You are all done, no custom items, all standard items that you can purchase from any kitchen place. Hope this helps and good luck

Definitely check out local stores for cabinets. Ask for RTA cabinets (Ready to assemble). Those would be wood, will have good drawers, most likely will have soft close doors and drawers and wont have particle board. 

For the counters, you mentioned laminate tops. If the kitchens are on the smaller side, it might make sense to see how much granite will be worth, but do it for 2 kitchens at the same time to get better price. Granite might be a good selling point for the rental and will be more durable. 

Interesting to hear the opinion of Mags S. on their rental with Ikea cabinets. My opinion of ikea cabinets for rental has always been to stay away from. Was weary of the particle board construction. I am interested to know what Mags experience have been on how the drawer fronts are holding up.This is the first potential problem with those cabinets. I have always advised people to go to a local kitchen store and purchase RTA cabinets (Ready To Assemble), they are all wood and fairly inexpensive. And they are easier to install as well, because the cabinets are framed, ikea is frameless.. 

Same goes for cabinets off the shelf in home depot or lowes. Drawer fronts falling off, drawer glides braking... My choice Ready To Assemble cabinets

@Harry Durden from the kitchen designer perspective:

You need to make sure you have space for the kitchen table first of all. Then if you have space you can do an island.

Some people don’t know but the island could be designed from wall cabinets and have two dishwasher panels as support on both ends - that will give you seating and the island will only be about 27” deep.

People love islands but I agree with previous comments about not to over improve.

PS. Cabinets wise - don’t just go for a cabinet off the shelf in Home Depot or Lowes, those are particle board, and while they seem convenient, please plan a bit ahead and order from local kitchen supply place, you will get similar pricing as box stores but the cabinet will be all wood! The biggest problem with particle board cabinet is the pressed wood drawer, with time it will come apart and that’s an extra headache that you don’t need. You can search for RTA cabinets (Ready To Assemble) those are Chinese imports but they are all wood and will hold up better