I am doing a kitchen remodel and need to pick out cabinet hardware. I have looked at pulls from Ikea that cost $10/pair and look identical to ones from higher-end manufacturers that sell for $20-$40 each. That is a huge difference in price. I am wondering, could anyone tell me if it is worth the difference? What is the reason for the huge price difference? Do the ones from Ikea look terrble after a few years? I am spending a lot of money on this kitchen remodel and don't want to skimp on this if it makes a difference -- but I also don't want to throw away hundreds of dollars on hardware if the pulls from Ikea will be just as good.
posted by modernist1 on Oct 22, 2009 - 8 answers

Looking for a contractor in Madison, WI to get an estimate on a kitchen remodel. [more inside]
posted by echo target on Oct 21, 2009 - 5 answers

How much would it cost to convert a garage into an efficiency and how much could I do with a small garage? [more inside]
posted by aussicht on Sep 24, 2009 - 5 answers

How do I make an outlet in my baseboards? I'm re-wiring the bedroom due to an untraceable short circuit (yay...came home from vacation to no power in the bedroom) and have decided that installing outlets in the baseboards is the best way to go. But, um, the outside wall is brick... [more inside]
posted by notsnot on Sep 6, 2009 - 7 answers

I want to have 2 bedroom hardwood floors refinished. My wife is about 14 weeks pregnant. Is it safe for her to be in the house with the polyurethane fumes from the floor finish? [more inside]
posted by bingwah on Jul 14, 2009 - 20 answers

I'm thinking about selling (or renting) my condo. My kitchen and bathrooms are out of date with formica counter tops, old looking appliances and ugly flooring. I know that other condos in my complex that are on the market have been updated with more contemporary looks, but they also look like they've been on the market for a while. What would cause the place to sell faster? Spending the money to update it or reducing the asking price by whatever amount I'd put into a remodel?
posted by willnot on Jun 10, 2009 - 13 answers

I want to buy a bathroom vanity on line ASAP- good quality but a good value. Anyone have a place they have had luck with and can recommend??
posted by beccaj on Jun 4, 2009 - 1 answer

I'm in the midst of a bathroom remodel and about to insulate and close up the walls. I'm a little confused on the best way to insulate the exterior walls of my 80-year old house. A diagram of the existing wall can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctracey/3538183459/ I've checked a lot of online resources and books, but few of them deal with a wall construction such as this. [more inside]
posted by buttercup on May 17, 2009 - 7 answers

Please recommend resources for learning about home remodeling, particularly basement finishing. [more inside]
posted by medusa on Apr 30, 2009 - 3 answers

Looking for architects and other resources for home renovation project in San Francisco. Modern, green, yada yada. [more inside]
posted by squishy on Apr 14, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm finishing my house and want to install 3/4" bead board ceiling and in all the places that I look for install help and instruction(this old house, hgtv.com, oldhouseweb.com, etc) people are quoting $1-1.50/sq. foot. Does anyone know where in MN I can find quality 3/4" bead board ceiling for that price, everything i'm finding is $3-4 from specialty mills, and the stuff priced around $1/sq at the big box stores(Home Depot, Lowes and Menards) is for the thinner wall stuff, and is usually VERY poor quality with lots of knots. I just watched this video at HGTV and they put up some pretty nice looking stuff and quoted $1.50/sq I don't believe it one bit...
posted by Mesach on Apr 9, 2009 - 7 answers

Bathroom DIY Filter: Do we need to use cement board (backer board) for the walls around the bathtub/shower that we're going to retile? [more inside]
posted by chndrcks on Apr 8, 2009 - 18 answers

Is it worth the trouble to vent our range hood outside? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Mar 20, 2009 - 21 answers

Installing a thermostat other than surface mount [more inside]
posted by bloggerwench on Mar 3, 2009 - 8 answers

I'm finished with California and have decided to move to Denver. [more inside]
posted by Scientifik on Feb 6, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm planning a home addition but would like peruse building material sources beyond what's available in consumer hardware stores. What sources do architects and contractors use for non-standard windows and other items? Is there a McMaster-Carr-equivalent for building materials? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Jan 30, 2009 - 4 answers

Any similar sinks out there to the Ikea HÖLLVIKEN bathroom sink? I like the size and shape of this basin, but want to get some other options. Also, if anyone knows anything about the quality of this sink, those comments would also be appreciated.
posted by buttercup on Dec 1, 2008 - 5 answers

Need opinions on insulating a basement... [more inside]
posted by docpops on Nov 12, 2008 - 15 answers

I need to convert a double 30 amp breaker that feeds a 240V dryer outlet into a subpanel for several 120 lines... [more inside]
posted by docpops on Oct 26, 2008 - 9 answers

I am considering knocking down the wall between my kitchen and my dining room. Multiple questions inside. [more inside]
posted by hazyspring on Oct 3, 2008 - 23 answers

I've put an offer on a 1924 house that has a refinished basement. The remodel was done by the homeowners, with no permits. My inspector found some mold on some wood and drywall. What now? [more inside]
posted by j on Sep 8, 2008 - 11 answers

Can I use this tile with a variety of colors, or am I limited to neutral tans? [more inside]
posted by kristymcj on Sep 4, 2008 - 8 answers

HomeImprovementFilter: Looking for the most pet and human friendly way to strip paint off of various surfaces in our home, one of which is a pine banister that's over 100 years old. [more inside]
posted by littlerobothead on Aug 11, 2008 - 18 answers

Where can we buy round glass doorknobs? [more inside]
posted by jschu on Jul 26, 2008 - 8 answers

We're in the middle of having a new kitchen installed. As part of the remodel we knocked down a couple of walls. The house has hardwood floors throughout yet the contractor did not put anything down to protect the floor(!!) when they did the demolition. No surprise then that there are scratches and a couple of gouges on the floor. We're not happy. How to approach this? What rights do we have? [more inside]
posted by NailsTheCat on Jul 11, 2008 - 10 answers

Real Estate Filter! I'm thinking of doing a little addition to my house which would add bigger closets, create a bigger master bedroom and add another bathroom. I'm considering one feature which I can't decide whether it would be too weird or not... [more inside]
posted by amanda on Jul 1, 2008 - 36 answers

Bathroom remodel question: does one really need a bathtub? [more inside]
posted by mumkin on Jun 16, 2008 - 51 answers

What's the cost and effort involved in fixing floors attacked by termites and fungus in the bay area? [more inside]
posted by bumpybear on Jun 14, 2008 - 1 answer

RemodelingKitchenFilter: What do you wish you had done to your kitchen when you had the chance? [more inside]
posted by birdlips on Jun 11, 2008 - 43 answers

I need to install some fireblocks (aka fire stops AND fire block[ing]) in my basement. What can I use to make these? Can I use regular sheetrock to make these or do they have to be some special type of sheetrock? If I can't use sheetrock, what type and thickness of wood do they need to be?
posted by tickettrader on Apr 22, 2008 - 9 answers

Good blogs about house remodeling? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library on Apr 9, 2008 - 9 answers

Can you recommend an architect in the Seattle area? I'm hoping to have a second story put on my ranch house, and need professional advice. (I'll also happily take recommendations for contractors.)
posted by The corpse in the library on Mar 23, 2008 - 5 answers

What kind of things do you need to ask a home remodeling contractor, like about liability insurance, bonding and all that? How do you approach this with them? Do you take their word for it or demand proof? [more inside]
posted by amfea on Feb 25, 2008 - 7 answers

I'm looking for remodeling picture sets (like this) for renovation inspiration. They don't have to be on Flickr, but a sequential, step-by-step series would be nice. Is there a site that specializes in these types of DIY remodel picture sets?
posted by (bb|[^b]{2}) on Jan 30, 2008 - 2 answers

Modern/contemporary bathroom refurb ideas? [more inside]
posted by bakertim on Jan 29, 2008 - 6 answers

We're coming near the end of a major kitchen remodel and we'd like to show our appreciation to the foreman/carpenter by "tipping" him at the end of the job. How much? [more inside]
posted by cooker girl on Jan 25, 2008 - 18 answers

Drywall dust has seemingly ruined my new couch -- and health. [more inside]
posted by zenpop on Oct 18, 2007 - 7 answers

I've run out of money on our house remodel and still need to do a downstairs bathroom. Any suggestions for finding some affordable, modern-looking bathroom sink/vanity combos online -- like this unit from Ikea? [more inside]
posted by zenpop on May 30, 2007 - 7 answers

How to hire and work with a contractor on a remodeling project [more inside]
posted by bove on Feb 25, 2007 - 10 answers

Kitchen cabinet camouflage - bring me your ideas! [more inside]
posted by acoutu on Feb 18, 2007 - 19 answers

Remodel Filter: Looking for scrap granite / mica countertops for some home remodel projects - or how to go about begging for them. [more inside]
posted by jimmy0x52 on Jan 19, 2007 - 8 answers

Older house thread: Most older houses have one tiny little bathroom and no real closets to speak of. Help me figure out how to rectify that! [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Jan 14, 2007 - 11 answers

I am looking for more information on the features (pros & cons, price range, etc.), of various building/interior finish materials. [more inside]
posted by bove on Dec 1, 2006 - 10 answers

Wacky Tiled Walls, need cheap creative solution...For some strange reason the entire apartment is tiled! To make matters worse in each room there are about 4 or 5 different style of tiles. I need a cheap creative solution to make the apartment more home like and less like one big bathroom. Anyone? Please help!
posted by mscatch22 on Jun 22, 2006 - 19 answers

We are designing a semi-modern, semi-classic kitchen remodel in our 1922 Craftsman / Mission Revival bungalow. I am very much opposed to using cans in the ceiling for light, although I realize I may be in the wrong; my wife insists that they are necessary, even though there is a bright multi-light unit from Rejuvenation Hardware over the dining nook and various period-accurate pendants for spot lights on the counters and some under-cabinet over-counter lighting. [more inside]
posted by luriete on Nov 4, 2005 - 14 answers

Budget kitchen remodel advice for someone at that "too clueless even to know what I don't know" stage. [more inside]
posted by kmel on Sep 27, 2005 - 14 answers

I'm thinking of building my own kitchen counter-tops from concrete. I have some how-to books and have talked to a friend who is doing it as well, but thought I'd put the question out to AskMefi. What has been your experience? Any tips or tricks? Any special materials or sealers? Thanks!
posted by jacobsee on Apr 25, 2005 - 11 answers