Home remodle program

[Dead Eye]

Looking to remodel a kitchen and bath. Anyone know of a website that has softwear to set up plans?
Thanks, John

[giantfan]

I think you might be better off doing it the old fasion way with paper and pencil.

I am in the business and I have tried a couple of these programs to no avail. Even if you found one.... by the time you figured it out you could have drawn it a couple of time over.

Get yourself a list of standard size cabinets in a cabinet line that you like and have at it with a scale and paper.

If you don't feel comfortable with that then go to some kitchen shop or one of the big box stores and pay them the $150.00 or so to sit with you and get the design that you want. If you pay for the design then you can take it with you and go and shop around.

Just my two cents if your only going to be doing it for your own house.

[hit-n-run]

Another option is to go to kraftmaids website and order a book that has all the little pieces you need to design your kitchen. Or, you can go to lowes or home depot. I am in the remodeling business and if you want to best results i suggest going to a designer.

[BluePrints]

What are you doing? Just cabinet replacement or more than that.

I can either help you or point you in the right direction.

OC or PA?

[nautiduck]

Dead eye what exactly are you looking for? A program that will let you see what your remodel will look like so you can make changes and preview, or something to draw up blueprints with? I havent found any cheap and easy "preview" software, the good ones are pricy and take some skill and know how to use. As far as plans there are some very basic and easy to use blueprint software available on the net. I would however go with Teds (giantfan) suggestion use graph paper and a tri-rule. Its alot faster than trying to figure out unfamiliar software. Ive been a carpenter since my teens (over 20 yrs) Im very familiar with CAD (went to school for engineering) and I still prefer graph paper a tri-rule and a mechanical pencil. Its very easy to do a floor layout from overhead, and then each wall from an elevation (side view). I use paper I get from Lee Valley Tools (restoration company http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...43&cat=1,42936) its 1/4" sq rule with dots every 1/16" instead of lines. It makes sketching out designs real easy.

[giantfan]

Dead eye what exactly are you looking for? A program that will let you see what your remodel will look like so you can make changes and preview, or something to draw up blueprints with? I havent found any cheap and easy "preview" software, the good ones are pricy and take some skill and know how to use. As far as plans there are some very basic and easy to use blueprint software available on the net. I would however go with Teds (giantfan) suggestion use graph paper and a tri-rule. Its alot faster than trying to figure out unfamiliar software. Ive been a carpenter since my teens (over 20 yrs) Im very familiar with CAD (went to school for engineering) and I still prefer graph paper a tri-rule and a mechanical pencil. Its very easy to do a floor layout from overhead, and then each wall from an elevation (side view). I use paper I get from Lee Valley Tools (restoration company http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...43&cat=1,42936) its 1/4" sq rule with dots every 1/16" instead of lines. It makes sketching out designs real easy.

Cool paper Nauti.....

Never saw that before. I just placed an order.

Thanks for the link.

[Big Fish Billy]

I think you might be better off doing it the old fasion way with paper and pencil.

I am in the business and I have tried a couple of these programs to no avail. Even if you found one.... by the time you figured it out you could have drawn it a couple of time over.

Get yourself a list of standard size cabinets in a cabinet line that you like and have at it with a scale and paper.

If you don't feel comfortable with that then go to some kitchen shop or one of the big box stores and pay them the $150.00 or so to sit with you and get the design that you want. If you pay for the design then you can take it with you and go and shop around.

Just my two cents if your only going to be doing it for your own house.

Another option is to go to kraftmaids website and order a book that has all the little pieces you need to design your kitchen. Or, you can go to lowes or home depot. I am in the remodeling business and if you want to best results i suggest going to a designer.

Good advice here, people in the business know all the little tricky cabinets to make use of corners, wine racks, and all the other little space utilizing cabinets the average guy doesn't even know about.......

[nautiduck]

Ted Cruise their site Lee Valley has all kinds of cool tools and other gadgets for craftsmen. They also have several catalogs that you definately dont mind getting in the mail. Especially if you have an old house to restore or clients that want that look. Its not just tools.

[nautiduck]

Their having an Expo in your neck of the woods
The Woodworking Shows
Somerset, New Jersey
February 27 to March 1, 2009
Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Drive
Somerset, New Jersey 08873

[giantfan]

The do have a bunch of cool stuff.

Thanks for the heads up on the show. I am going to try to get over there this weekend.