I just got on this thread.....for whatever it's worth, I am in the furniture restoration business, and also build custom furniture....if your friend can do the labor on that project for $2,000, AND guarentee that you will still have him as a friend when it's complete, GO FOR IT before he changes his mind. My shop rate is $40.00/ hour (cheap), I wouldn't consider the job for less that $3,500, plus materials.
Materials are totally dependant on what you want.....could range from 800 - 900 for cheap looking stuff to a couple of thousand to really go first class.
Larry C
I just got on this thread.....for whatever it's worth, I am in the furniture restoration business, and also build custom furniture....if your friend can do the labor on that project for $2,000, AND guarentee that you will still have him as a friend when it's complete, GO FOR IT before he changes his mind. My shop rate is $40.00/ hour (cheap), I wouldn't consider the job for less that $3,500, plus materials.
Materials are totally dependant on what you want.....could range from 800 - 900 for cheap looking stuff to a couple of thousand to really go first class.
Larry C
Thanks for chiming in! I am feeling better and better about this all the time. I will know just how appreciative to be. Thanks, Pam
Just completed a partial renovation of a '93 31 ft. Laminate flooring, new sofa and dinnet, curtains and a new countertop and kitchen faucets. Did not do the cabinets. I had to rebuild or repair the bath and bedroom woodwork and cabinets. -- Fitting the curves is not fun --- BUT it looks good when completed. I might consider replacing anything you plan to build around. My experience is that it will stop working as soon as it is covered by anything.
Bill
Just completed a partial renovation of a '93 31 ft. Laminate flooring, new sofa and dinnet, curtains and a new countertop and kitchen faucets. Did not do the cabinets. I had to rebuild or repair the bath and bedroom woodwork and cabinets. -- Fitting the curves is not fun --- BUT it looks good when completed. I might consider replacing anything you plan to build around. My experience is that it will stop working as soon as it is covered by anything.
Bill
Great advice. I took the trailer in to the local service guys to look at after all of the cabinets were out. They repaired some plumbing around the kitchen sink area and thought everything else seemed okay. I hope they are right. I have felt a little nervous about not replacing all of the copper pipes with PEX. They also thought my old Suburban furnace would be okay and I decided to go with that once he quoted a new one around $1400! I am sticking with an older Dometic fridge also, but my friend is considering that it might have to be replaced as he builds the cabinets around it.
When I winced at the cost of a new furnace the service guy laughed and said "This is a R-E-C-R-E-A-T-I-O-N-A-L vehicle" lady! So I guess that explains everything....
I have friends with sailboats who refer to the cost of everything in 'Sailboat Units'.. which are apparently around $1000. So I guess I need to start thinking in 'Airstream Units'! Thanks, Pam
Pam, Just found your post. How are the cabinet's coming? We are starting the same process this weekend with the tear out. We've decided on a L shaped kitchen counter which includes the stove and round sink. It gives us a little more counter space, about 1 1/2 square feet, which we know is alot in an airstream. I'm pretty set on birch with walnut accents on the cabinets. We took some before pics for the forum and will be posting progress pictures, I hope. We are going to the area 33 forum rally May 25th so hope we are finished or we are really going to be roughing it. Teresa
Pam, Just found your post. How are the cabinet's coming? We are starting the same process this weekend with the tear out. We've decided on a L shaped kitchen counter which includes the stove and round sink. It gives us a little more counter space, about 1 1/2 square feet, which we know is alot in an airstream. I'm pretty set on birch with walnut accents on the cabinets. We took some before pics for the forum and will be posting progress pictures, I hope. We are going to the area 33 forum rally May 25th so hope we are finished or we are really going to be roughing it. Teresa
Teresa, The cabinets are coming along. My friend has my trailer in Philomath and I am in the Portland area. So, I am not getting to see the day by day progress. It drives me crazy. Things are coming along. We picked out a pull out pantry to go next to the fridge and I am trying to decide on what to use for the counter top. I will use laminate but can't decide if I want to use a dark contrast to the light maple or a stainless look to match the stainless walls. I want a Mid Century Modern look. I guess that is 1950's, 60's. Have you found a round sink? I have been looking and can't find one that isn't just a small bar sink? I would love to go to the rally in May, but I don't think I will be ready... Pam
Larry C is right on the money. Good quality cabinets are not cheap, and cheap cabinets are not good. You truly do get what you pay for. As far as using plywood ( cabinet grade hardwood) on the interiors, it's the only way to go.
Larry C is right on the money. Good quality cabinets are not cheap, and cheap cabinets are not good. You truly do get what you pay for. As far as using plywood ( cabinet grade hardwood) on the interiors, it's the only way to go.
Craftsman2, Thanks for your comment. Are you saying that plywood is also referred to as cabinet grade hardwood? We are using plywood for the 'boxes' and real maple for the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. I believe the bulkheads are maple ply.... Pam
I think Jack might have meant that using the "good stuff" on the interiors is the mark of good craftsmanship. I agree - to me it is nice for the inside of the cabinets to look as good as the outside. Who wants to look at a big ole ugly knot inside the cabinet anytime a water glass is needed?
I think Jack might have meant that using the "good stuff" on the interiors is the mark of good craftsmanship. I agree - to me it is nice for the inside of the cabinets to look as good as the outside. Who wants to look at a big ole ugly knot inside the cabinet anytime a water glass is needed?
Tom
Tom, Sorry to be dense! But what is the 'good stuff'? Is the plywood good? It looks pretty nice. Thanks, Pam
... But what is the 'good stuff'? Is the plywood good? ...
Plywood comes in many grades, and the cost is contingent on the grade. Cabinet grade plywood is one of the better, if not best, grades. 'Good stuff' can mean many things. But in this case it means that both sides of the plywood look good.
Many times cabinet makers will make sure the outside of the cabinets look like a million bucks while relegating the rest of the cabinet to 'structurally sound'. In other words, while whatever cabinet you get will perform its function well, some of them will only look good with the doors closed.
The bottom line is that it sounds like you are getting cabinets I would not mind having.
Pam, I have a great round sink, It's 14" wide and 8" deep, finally large enough for a frying pan to soak. I found it on e-bay and it was around $50. I'm going to have my cabinetmaker make a formica cover for it for extra counter space. When you get a chance for pic's put them on, I'm still trying to decide on the wood. I see so many great idea's and only 1 airstream (so far) We are doing the Blue Pearl in the Jimmy Buffet "a pirate looks at 40" theme so we are tropical. We want all the warmth we can come up with since we are on the coast. When you start on fabric look up Malinamade.com great retro fabrics in barkcloth.
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