New Home-lots of improvements- advice pls

Hi folks,

I recently bought a Town House in IL and it really looks nice.


I am planning on adding/ Modifying/ Enhancing the following and need some help and advice from the PROS. I am completely a newbie so please feel free to make suggestions or comments

Kitchen:
Completely Corain, including the kitchen Island. I am planning on replacing with Granite??

Loft:
I want to close this up and make it another Bedroom. I am thinking DryWall.

Basement:
I want to add a BAR . There's a dry wall already and LOT of space behind it, So I am planning on moving it further back to make room for this bar.

Granite counter tops
Light oak cabinets (2~3)
Add a stand up shower in basement.

Paint:
Paint the entire house.

Not sure how much it's gonna cost me but I want to start for sure and need some advice/help on what to start first.

Also any contractor recommendation within in chicago area would be GREAT

Thanks

 

Kitchen: why change out Corian?????? It is uniform in color, very durable, repairable, immune to most stains, and was expensive, nearly the cost of granite. And granite is none of those things(except expensive).
Loft: adding a wall is not too difficult, if you understand the basics.
Basement: Moving a wall is a bit harder. You first have to tear out the wall in question, reframe, install/finish new drywall. Adding a shower can be complicated. You need to tear out the floor to get to drain pipes(if the drains are under the floor), and run new supply pipes.
Painting: is not too difficult, but there are basics that must be observed. The old surface must be clean, usually needs to be sanded or deglossed or paint will not stick.

There are books on all these subjects at home/hardware stores that will help you understand the right ways to do it.

 

Bill - I have a different opinion of Corian although I'll agree that it is uniform in color. To some that in itself is a negative. It stains and scratches and generally has a dull finish. Corian may be OK as a substitute for marble in the bathroom, but IMO not the best material for a kitchen counter. Better to go with granite or one of the man made quartz products.

 

Get at least three bids from licensed and insured contractors in the area. A good source of referrals can be from family, friends, and coworkers. Check with your local building code office re: any permits and inspections required. They can also be a source of contractors.

 

thanks guys, regarding contractors, some of them say you buy all the material and they can complete the work, and be present while they are working as they said they DON'T have insurance but were really cheap. Is it a good idea?

thanks

 

Personally I would never hire a contractor who isn't insured/bonded/licensed. What if something happens - stuff happens to the most pro of pros. Do you REALLY want to explain that situation to YOUR insurance company and have YOUR rates go up??

 

Like above never hire an uninsured contractor no matter the price. That pretty much makes them the same as anyone here, they're just a handyman that thinks they can make money by going out an doing work on another persons house.

Also the gov't requires all licensed contractors to be insured. If they're uninsured it also means they're not licensed so they will probably not have proper inspections done or pull the proper permits which will fall on your shoulders if caught. Plus they probably don't pay taxes on the money they make as an added reason to not hire them.