Need new countertops - need help doing it
Hi all,
A bit long post, sorry.
My Cupertino Eichler kitchen was redone nicely by the previous owners in 1990, but the 16-year old GE dishwasher is noisy and started to have issues, so I decided to replace it and ran into a problem. Due to post-kitchen-remodel slate floor install, the space was not tall enough to accomodate the Bosch I had purchased; I thought I checked it out but the previous install had cheated by cutting off the feet of the old dishwasher to fit it in... alas now I have a new washer waiting in the garage and I need to raise the laminate countertop by 1/4" to get the opening right.
Now, just shimming things higher is not easy since the countertops and backsplashes are one unit. The old countertops also have some hot-pan-damage and less than optimal looking pattern. Thus, we'd like to keep the cabinetry, add a bit on top of the cabinets to get the dishwasher to fit and put in new countertops and backsplashes (laminate or maybe Corian). We don't have the time, skills or tools to DIY.
So, finally the question/plea! I'm having difficulty finding someone to do the job, maybe it's just too small. If you have recommendations on who to contact, please email me at sami.laine at gmail.com. Also welcoming any comments or suggestions, such as "How on earth didn't you measure the space twice to make sure your new dishwasher actually will fit before you special ordered it!?" :oops:
Thanks!
Sami
Having the correct height for your dishwasher is a "issue" that people run into so you are not alone. I've seen people have to "grind" their dishwasher legs away because the floor ledge was butted up against the dishwasher after it was installed. They just couldn't get it out. At least you could get the old one out.
You can easily go to a Home Depot (Home Depot Expo has a better selection of colors/brands) or a countertop shop in your area and order a new countertop. I believe your area has an independent countertop shop. Amazing how these things snowball- right? Good luck.
Sami,
I have a sort of half answer for you. I am just starting the process of replacing all of the kitchen laminate with new laminate. I have spoken with Formatop of Campbell who I know have done Eichler work in the past. I know they do not do extensive cabinet work but seems to me adding a 1/4 inch involves something more like shimming than recontructing and an easy solution while replacing counter tops. They do Corian and other materials as well.
Has anyone worked with these guys?
Hi
If you decide to go ahead with them, I'd very much like to get a look at their work. I am in Palo Alto considering the same update.
Sally
We just had our new formica countertops and backsplashes installed in both our kitchen and master bath. We were also able to re-use the metal cove trim that runs under the backsplashes. It looks so sharp. A few tiny kinks but nothing that takes away from the look. We purchased a new metal rim for the original sink but it turns out our original rim came out very cleanly. We went ahead and used the new rim (I think it is called a hootie (sp?) rim) but kept the old one.
If anyone needs that rim to use with their flat rim sink, I would be happy to make it available. It fits a 21" x 24" sink. Thanks!
I would also be happy to give a VERY HIGH recommendation for the company we used. They completely remade these counters/splashes to look original, something another group I spoke with would not do because it required too much hand work as opposed to the machine rolling it out. Email me if you want the information.
