https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:49:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881946 Wed, 24 Apr 2019 14:29:31 +0000 psw27 2881946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure you know this already... but if they say 4 weeks, assume it will be 8. Nothing ever goes as planned. I agree with others - set up another little mini-kitchen in another room with a toaster, coffee maker, and the fridge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881944 Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:41:12 +0000 JennyPenny 2881944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I started making a list of stuff I need to get to prepare and gave myself a timeline, and of course once I finished I get a note that they're pushing back the start time. Ugh, delayed already. The new timeframe has my whole family out of the house one week and two 4-day work trips for me in the middle. That's going to make it more interesting but it works in a way too because DH is way happier with fast food every day than I am :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881881 Tue, 23 Apr 2019 23:25:40 +0000 irene 2881881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: OMG! Ditto on the weight gain! hahaha! I was going to say something but thought it could be just me. All those daily take outs and processed food does pile on, unfortunately. And good point about renovation with young kids (you have 2!). Thank goodness DS was pretty big (3) when we did the big reno, and he went to daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881866 Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:46:32 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2881866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OTOH, doing laundry at the laundromat was awesome! Expensive, but so nice to do laundry in the big tub washers and then fold everything before I left (I know I"m not the only person who never seems to get around to folding everything when I'm doing washing at home). I still occasionally go over there when I have big stuff to wash (sleeping bags, etc.). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881864 Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:42:14 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2881864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly....it was horrible! We have a fixer-upper with no garage, so I did all my cooking and dishes in our un-renovated second bathroom. Doing dishes in the tub killed my back and clogged the tub-- make sure you have a good tub strainer! Coffee grinds are such bastards. At first I attempted to make everything in the instant pot, but washing dishes became a bigger problem than actually cooking..the IP insert is a pain to clean in a bathtub! Things got better once I borrowed a skillet and didn't have to do dishes every day. I'd get at least two cooking appliances...if I were to do it all again I'd get a convection burner. Or two IP inserts so you can cook multiple thing in the IP in the same meal. Microwave and uncooked meals became common (sandwiches, salads). We ate a lot more processed foods and I bought so much more Starbucks. I also found it difficult to have the contractors around so often. I had two kids at home and we would go to the Y in the morning and I'd shower there. They got to our house pretty early so it was either that or wake up super early. It was very hard to have the kids at home while they were there because the noise kept the kids from taking good afternoon naps. Overall, it was just a really difficult, chaotic time! </p> <p>We also planned to grill a lot, but that became so time-consuming on weeknights, plus it was so hot in the summer. Also dealing with raw meat in the bathroom was disgusting and it became less worth it over time. So we just ate increasingly simple meals, or pre-cooked meat (like those boil-in-bag meats from Aldi-- carnitas and curry chicken etc.)</p> <p>I admit, I gained weight during our renovation! And my kids developed a taste for the finer things in life (Hamburger Helper). </p> <p>We also used far more disposable products because washing dishes was just so difficult in the bathroom! I felt awful about that. But as an upside, we made our pre-war home more modern and livable and we didn't change the footprint of our house, so I feel like we ultimately used fewer resources vs. a gut job, or a new build, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881597 Sun, 21 Apr 2019 20:23:00 +0000 irene 2881597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We set up our little kitchen up in the guest bedroom when our main ground floor remodeling happened (kitchen, living room, everything). They sealed off the whole first floor with plastic with zippers, and we lived upstairs during the whole renovation.</p> <p>We had a small college-dorm-room-sized fridge set up for the basics: milk, cheese, yogurt, frozen waffles...etc. Since our living room was remodeled at the same time, we moved our coffee table upstairs and it was like a small Japanese-style dining area where we sat on the floor and eat. We put a rug or something underneath it. Back then our guest room was carpeted so we didn't want food stains. We also had a small magnetic stove top and we cooked very basic things like plain pasta or boiled eggs, corn, green beans or broccoli. I forgot if we brought the whole toaster oven upstairs or just the toaster. We used an old dresser for all these things lol</p> <p>We planned to use the grill but it ended up really didn't happen because our backyard was connected to the kitchen. Our kitchen was completely gutted, so it was quite dusty at the deck anyway for us to contemplate grilling and eating anywhere around there.</p> <p>That was really it. It took care of breakfast and that was really what mattered for us. Dinners were mostly take outs. We could just get a protein from outside, and we cooked our veggies, or sometimes a little bit of carbs (pasta and such) with it. We did minimize our cooking because we had no way to wash our dishes, and we didn't want to risk clogging up the guest bathroom. If we needed to wash dishes, we used a big tin basin and then if there were residue we poured the soapy water into the toilet and flush it out.</p> <p>Oh, and funny we had to open the window when cooking with the magnetic stove top because we had no ventilation! haha! Another reason why we couldn't cook protein. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881594 Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:35:57 +0000 petitenoisette 2881594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought going into our kitchen reno that we’d do a ton of take out, etc. But between themicrowave, and instant pot (using the pressure cooker and sauté function) it wasn’t too hard to cook. We put our dining room table against the wall, set up the “kitchen” on it along the wall and then we’d eat on the other half of the table! We also plugged in our new stove once the electrical was done and I cooked on it before the kitchen was fully done...</p> <p>Washing stuff in the bathroom was the biggest pain so I was really mindful of not making more dishes than necessary and we ate off paper plates and bowls mostly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881543 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 15:19:23 +0000 Portboston 2881543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We set up most of our kitchen stuff in the dining room. Majority of meals were take out or microwave. Hopefully they finish quicker then the estimate but I know how general contractors work and that’s never the case. We self managed our kitchen remodel (total gut job) and it only took 3.5 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881374 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 21:17:02 +0000 ChitownRo 2881374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We set up a folding table in our family room w a microwave, toaster oven and electric skillet. That covered lots of food prep actually! Using a bathroom sink for the dishes/bottles was the most annoying part<br /> Went way better than I expected </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881334 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:56:59 +0000 lioneyes 2881334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Grill! I used to buy the premade kebabs or marinated chicken at the grocery store so no prep. Disposable plates and cutlery. Have a setup with a microwave, toaster oven and cooler. You can do a lot with those things! It’s totally temporary and everyone survives eating takeout for multiple meals a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881314 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 11:46:52 +0000 agold 2881314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Use the grill, paper plates, red solo cups. And get those metal tins from the grocery store that you cook lasagna in, and cook everything in them on the grill. Like, potatoes and such. And, take out, take out, and more take out. Congrats on the reno! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881306 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 10:32:50 +0000 JennyPenny 2881306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, we can definitely grill when it's nice out. Great call on the disposable stuff. I didn't really think about not having a sink. But I suspect we can prepare some freezer meals and some grill items that make almost no dishes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881305 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 10:23:50 +0000 pinkb 2881305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We grilled a lot. Microwave versions of stuff also especially for the kids like Mac and cheese. Second the frozen meals if you will have access to your oven. We set our dining room up as the staging area for all the new cabinets and appliances so our dining table was set up in the garage which worked great for all the nights we grilled. And we did dishes in the tub and it really sucked. We did disposable plates and silverware but still what needs to be washed it really sucked bending over in the tub. It was worth it but still very frustrating during the process! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881301 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 09:51:05 +0000 karenbme 2881301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: Second vote for grilling. We also did pizza/take out pretty regularly when our kitchen was under construction, which I'm sure kiddos would love. Try to have a plan for washing dishes if you'll be without a sink, that was probably the hardest part, doing the dishes in the tub. Good luck! It's hard, but so worth it in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881295 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 09:08:18 +0000 graceandjoy 2881295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you grill? And also go to nearby family for dinner? </p> <p>Is there a laundry place that will do full service (wash/dry/fold) that you can swing for a while? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881278 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:20:10 +0000 Jennibenni 2881278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you will have access to a chest freezer or something, say in your garage, you could precook and freeze in individual portions for easy microwave reheating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/living-through-kitchen-renovation#post-2881275 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:15:51 +0000 JennyPenny 2881275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We finally pulled the trigger on a smallish kitchen and laundry renovation. They'll start work next month and it is expected to take 4-5 weeks. I was wondering if anyone has any tips about how to manage life with little kids without a fully functioning kitchen or laundry room. We have family nearby we can probably use for laundry so my biggest worry is meals. Anyone done this and have advice? Meal ideas? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-decide-on-bedroom-configuration#post-2628836 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 20:21:21 +0000 Myicitygirl 2628836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coffee-lover: so we have a guest room downstairs, and over the past 3 years we have lived here, we have had guests maybe a total of 2 months spread over each year. But we have a lot of friends with kids, and more of them could stay with us if we had a second guest room that the kids could use. </p> <p>By keeping the twin daybed in there, my kids could still use it as a playroom when guests are not using it. Or if someone is sick, I could sleep there to be closer to the kids (although I can do that when it is an open alcove). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-decide-on-bedroom-configuration#post-2628829 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 20:10:52 +0000 Coffee-lover 2628829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How often do you have guests that sleep at your house? If its not very often I would just leave it alone and use it as a place for someone to sleep if needed, but mainly use it as a play room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-decide-on-bedroom-configuration#post-2628828 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 20:07:42 +0000 Foodnerd81 2628828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Myicitygirl: Ah ok. I think I would do another bedroom like you described then. I guess I wouldn't be too worried about resale if you plan to stay there for 20 plus years, but it seems like it would be more useful to you that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-decide-on-bedroom-configuration#post-2628818 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:46:09 +0000 Myicitygirl 2628818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: we have a day bed in the alcove, but it is too open. Without a door, sound travels easily and you have to pass through the alcove to get to my younger son's bedroom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-decide-on-bedroom-configuration#post-2628816 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:41:49 +0000 Foodnerd81 2628816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can the alcove be used as a guest room as is? Like not perfect, but guests could easily sleep there? Do you have another play space?</p> <p>I definitely wouldn't plan on kids sharing. You just don't know how their personalities will be. My parents thought my two youngest siblings could share but it turns out they just could not get along and they ended up building an addition just to stop the fighting. </p> <p>I would lean towards making a full bedroom and having a small guest room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trying-to-decide-on-bedroom-configuration#post-2628810 Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:30:37 +0000 Myicitygirl 2628810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, we are planning a home remodel. Currently we have 2 kids' bedrooms upstairs, 10'x11' and 11.5'x13.5'. Next to the smaller room is a bonus alcove (we had divided a huge 11x26' bedroom) - see drawing of existing small bedroom and alcove (labeled as "office" but we never set it up as one).</p> <p>We have 2 options:<br /> (I) convert the alcove space into a full bedroom (11.5'x11.5') with door and closet, and use the smallest room as a second guest room/play room. See proposed drawing.</p> <p>(II) remove the dividing wall and go back to the original 11'x26' bedroom. Potentially have my 2 boys (2.5 and 4.5) share in the future.</p> <p>I like having an additional bedroom, which I think adds value. Spouse thinks a monster kids room would be cool. If the kids dont share, I think it is unfair for one to have such a huge room (which also happens to be larger than the master bedroom).</p> <p>What would you do? We plan to stay in the house until we retire.</p> <p>[attach=3027/16/oe8pf1.450x600.image.png]</p> <p>[attach=3027/16/oe8pf2.450x600.image.png] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-tradesman-doing-work-in-your-house-and-an-issue-arises#post-2218821 Thu, 25 Jun 2015 16:38:46 +0000 Ree723 2218821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>....how do you handle the increased price, especially if it is for an issue that could/should have been noticed when the initial quote was given?</p> <p>Our current situation:<br /> We're having our family bathroom completely renovated, top to bottom - new floors, new walls, new tiling, new fittings, etc. The work started today with the builder pulling everything out to see what exactly we're working with (we've only been in our house since Nov so a lot of it is a surprise to us as well). As with just about any home renovation project, there were of course some unpleasant surprises.</p> <p>The biggest issue is with the ceiling and an old leak, which has destroyed part of the ceiling. You couldn't really see any damage from the outside, other than a bulging ceiling and peeling paint, but once the builder actually got up there today and started poking around, he realised a big section was rotten and would need to be replaced. I'm ok with paying for that additional cost as it wasn't foreseen to be an issue, although I could say as a builder, he should have seen the bulge when doing his quote and mentioned what it could potentially mean then, but whatever, not going to argue that point.</p> <p>The main issues I'm having are with problems that were fully visible when the builder did his quote and should have been noticed then to be incoporated with his initial quote. One issue is with the drainage pipes, another is with some electrical wires - both are proving problematic and are going to require additional funds to rectify, but I feel as though the builder should have seen these things and quoted us for them from the start - I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea that we should be out an additional several hundred pounds for work when it wasn't what we budgeted for.</p> <p>Am I being unreasonable here in thinking that the obvious problems should have been included in the quote and if they were overlooked by the builder, that onus shouldn't necessarily fall all onto us? FWIW, these issues (including the ceiling) increase the cost of our project by £1500-£2000, which is a huge amount of money ($2500-$3000 USD roughly)! Also, DH is a project engineer so he is accustomed to tradeys trying to milk things for all they're worth, hence, he is taking a pretty firm line in wanting answers to all these tough questions, but I'm the one here dealing with the builder and having to have these awkward conversations! </p> <p>What do you do in situations like this? Do you just pay the extra cost, knowing that situations come up, or do you expect your initial quote to cover issues that should have been noticed?</p> <p>Also, as a sidenote, I'm super annoyed already that the builder and his plasterer are going through my coffee and juice as though it is an open snack bar. I buy expensive juice for my girls and these guys are guzzling it as though it's water - I didn't even offer juice, they asked for it! And seriously, asking me to make you three cups of coffee in four hours of work is a little but cheeky in my opinion! Sorry, random vent there! </p>