Nate had been in his new home for about a year when he found a leak in the kitchen wall, under the sink base cabinet.
Unfortunately, his homeowner’s insurance would not cover the damage since it was a leak over time, that had probably started before he purchased the house. Because the leak had gone unnoticed for so long, the damage had spread to the adjoining cabinets, and across the floor. When we first met with Nate, most of the damaged base cabinets and floor coverings had been removed, and the drying out process was under way.
Because the cabinets were hand-built by the previous owner, we were unable to find base cabinets that would match the undamaged upper cabinets. Although it was an additional out-of-pocket expense, Nate agreed that all the cabinets and countertops needed to be replaced, since he was planning to sell the house in the next one to two years.
We removed the remaining cabinets, countertops, and backsplash, and got to work on the repairs. New framing was needed around the sink plumbing, and much of the damaged subfloor was replaced. New insulation was added as needed, and drywall repairs were made.
Now that we had a “clean slate” to work with, we could start on the cabinets. Keeping the same footprint, we installed white shaker style cabinets with brushed nickel hardware. A new Formica countertop in “Midnight Sun” added a nice contrast to the white cabinets. The project became a full kitchen remodeling update, giving the space a fresh, clean look.
The new wood grain floor covering is a luxury sheet vinyl from the Tarkett Fresh Start collection. This budget-friendly flooring is waterproof, scratch and dent resistant, and pet friendly.
While Nate will be moving on soon, this updated kitchen will certainly appeal to the next potential buyer. A well-planned kitchen remodeling project can make a major difference when it’s time to put a home on the market.
