Thread: Desperate Housewife vs Know-it-all Hubby

Dear Desperate. Send hubby out fishing. I'll drop in and look after you!
Kidding. Get a pro. If they stuff up they have to fix it. If hubby stuffs up you'll prolly end up with a total make over..

Originally Posted by NGK

My opinion is that we get some-one to come out to measure, quote and build, this way we utilise every inch of space and design it to our liking.

Hubby says the quality of the materials (chipboard - malamine- unsure of spelling) would be the same as having a cabinet maker to do the work.

In essence, what would be the cheapest way to design our own wardrobes and utilise every cm of space available?

NGK,

In fact, you are asking two distinct questions--design it to our liking versus cheapest to build. So first, decide which is more important, the design or the price. Then you will have a better idea on how to proceed.

As for materials, they may or may not be the same, depending on the builder. But with the custom fit option you will have many more choices.

Originally Posted by NGK

the cheapest way to design our own wardrobes and utilise every cm of space available?

I think you've answered your own question. You can't design your own wardrobe and utilise every cm of available space if you buy an existing flatpack system. You have to get something custom made if you want to achieve your objective.

Get a few cabinetmakers in for a quote, then consider if the efficient usage of space is worth the higher price. On the topic of material, you'll most likely find that a cabinetmaker will quote based on melamine construction unless you specify otherwise.

Cheers,


Justin.

Where is Watsonia? Maybe I can offer help.

Surely there are forum rules about mentioning Ikea, and getting a "professional" to do this type of work.

Building a robe is not rocket sc ience, melamine mdf is about $22 for a 900 x 1800, I have also seen it pre drilled on one side for shelf pins.
All you need to do is put one sheet against a wall and adhere with no more gaps (thats what the installers ude from Stegbar) and a brad nailer, decide where the next sheet is going and make a cleat across the back, once again using the two adhesives, if you intend having shelves and a hanging space screw in a centre shelf to give the whole unit some rigidity, attach a sheet to the top of each end and brad the whole assembly to the wall.
A shelf with cleats above the anging space will offer some more rigidity and remember, more cleats brads and no more gaps.
The whole thing can be knocked up in a morning with fairly basic tools, circ saw, straight edge, calking gun and a few tubes of no more gaps to hide the same, and a proper little plastic spatula to clean up the excess.
I did three rooms in a day four years ago and they are still as solid as.
For hanging I used an oval aluminium tube with the hangers each end, costs about $12 for 3 metres and looks better than the old chrome tube.
Got all my bits from Universal Timbers in Dandenong, they will cut to size too if you wish.
Lot cheaper than flat packs.
IKEA is an excellent product, must be, the ads say they are with everyone wearing the black gear, after all would you trust a product that comes from a country that produces SAAB?

Another option that may contain the best of both worlds is to find a cabinet maker that will build a flat pack cupboard to your dimensions, allowing you to put it together and save a bit of money.

Bearing in mind that there will not be a square corner anywhere in the house

It depends if its a man's wardrobe or a woman's.

If its a mans wardrobe almost anything will do. a big cardboard box with a stick in the top will be fine

If its a womans wardrobe it depends on the type of woman.

these are the best solution to the most common types.

1. forget building any wardrobes... select the smallest room... put the bed in there and convert the other room into the wardrobe... it probaly wont be big enough.

2. forget building a wardrobe, buy a bulk lot of door knobs and fit them all over the walls.

better still do both.

Regardless of the situation...she'll still........." have nooothinggg to wearrrr"

sorry I couldnt resist

cheers

Originally Posted by NGK

Hi People


My hubby insists it would be cheaper to build our own using ikea flat pak wardrobes. The problem here is the measurements are preset to 100 cm and/or 50 cm for add ons. (Height would not be a problem).

Hubby says the quality of the materials (chipboard - malamine- unsure of spelling) would be the same as having a cabinet maker to do the work. Is this true?

In essence, what would be the cheapest way to design our own wardrobes and utilise every cm of space available?

Your opinion would be truly appreciated.

Desperate Housewife

Hi desperate

IKEA are good but limited in sizes and not neccessarily that cheap.
1st work out what you want - long / short hanging space / no. draws / no. shelves etc.
2nd check the web there are a few flatpack places that make to order wardrobes and some have planning programmes. so you can workout placement of items,
3rd B4 you do anything - Go to a crowd called wardrobe world or howards storage and check out the metal shelving and draws etc - they have web sites too
4th price it out the various options - cabinet maker to do the lot / or the carcuss and you fit it out / or flat pack etc.

It may work out that you get a cabinet maker to knock up the carcus (is that spelt right?) and you fix it out with the metal shelves etc ( these are good as you can change them around when your needs change)

I have used IKEA on my last 2 reno's, on the next I need more so I am going to pay some one to come measure, make and install a whole one, so I can see how they do and then do it my self on the others.

Bit cheeky, never mind

Hope you work it out.

If my rambling dosn't make sense drop me a line and I will clarify it.

Celeste

Originally Posted by NGK

Hi People

My hubby and I have a difference of opinion. We need to get wardrobes for two rooms (one around 300 cm wide (height is no option; can be 2-3 meters). The other needs to be a corner wardrobe which can only be 130 cm wide (one side) by 100 cm wide (other side) by 200 cm in height.

My opinion is that we get some-one to come out to measure, quote and build, this way we utilise every inch of space and design it to our liking.

My hubby insists it would be cheaper to build our own using ikea flat pak wardrobes. The problem here is the measurements are preset to 100 cm and/or 50 cm for add ons. (Height would not be a problem).

Hubby says the quality of the materials (chipboard - malamine- unsure of spelling) would be the same as having a cabinet maker to do the work. Is this true?

In essence, what would be the cheapest way to design our own wardrobes and utilise every cm of space available?

Your opinion would be truly appreciated.

Desperate Housewife

Hi NGK
I am prepared to offer you a flat pack service for your dilemma, if you can PM me with your requirements in what you want, i will be able to give you a price for a complete kits of parts.
Would be just like a IKEA kits but the assembly drawings are so so.
Materials would be 16mm HMR white melamine and use either hettich or Hafele parts

Dear Desperate Housewife vs Know-it-all Hubby

I think your wrong with the above by the way as your posting this and appear to know it all so lets do the right thing and put this into perspective

Dear Know-it-all Housewife vs Desperate Hubby
Ignore this mob of galahs... were here to HELP you... now my advice?

DO IT YOURSELF!!

I mean you or him know it all so get stuck in design and make em yourself! this way a) you wont spend anymore $$ than you have to and as you or he knows it all already you wont get shocked when it blows the budget b) you will be able to say WE did this with PRIDE!! c) its not hard... its amazing what one can do when they are 1) desperate and 2) know it all

I still cant believe yous wombats didnt suggest such wonderously desperate knowitalls do the job themselves

Now desperate/know-it-all please dont get yer knickers/jocks in a twist cause of me words I just wonder why you dont at least try?... I mean a) theres shyteloads of sites on the net with free plans available for download b) WE are here to help c) You or he can do it!!!

I believe in you

I reckon YOU can do it

Hell if I can do it... and if Jill can build a friggin mansion in the hills you pair of desperate know-it-alls can knock up a few cupboards! EASY AS!!

Well thems me words of advice now please remember I will be checking up on you to make sure you took it okay? Okay now what was the question? Aveagoodone!!

Originally Posted by NGK

...1
My opinion is that we get some-one to come out to measure, quote and build, this way we utilise every inch of space and design it to our liking.
...2
My hubby insists it would be cheaper to build our own using ikea flat pak wardrobes. The problem here is the measurements are preset to 100 cm and/or 50 cm for add ons. Hubby says the quality of the materials (chipboard - malamine- unsure of spelling) would be the same as having a cabinet maker to do the work. Is this true?
...3
In essence, what would be the cheapest way to design our own wardrobes and utilise every cm of space available?

Ok my two bob.
1 - As suggested above: Get a quote on a custom made flatpack designed for the spaces but to be installed by hubby.
2 - Your hubby is right. I used Ikea carcasses for years and they are very high quality and are very easy to construct to the same quality as a cabinet maker putting together melamine carcasses. It's the cupboard doors that blow out the price. At the Perth Ikea there is an "As Is" discount rejects bit. We have picked up 4 of the Pax style wardrobe carcasses for $50 each (already constructed and returned by some fortunate punter for a credit - you also find damaged flatpacks there, many being damaged in places you won't see when erected). That's way cheaper than loose melamine and I love that the shelving holes are all predrilled. Also, melamine chips very easily when cut - IMO you either have to cut longer and clean up with a router or cut it on a table saw or similar. And doors - always a tricky thing to custom make yourself without time and experience if you want a nice finish.
3 - Once you take into account the doors the cheapest option will probably be IKEA, but not much more expensive and the best use of space would be having a flat pack custom designed, cut and delivered for your hubby to erect.
4 - If you've got the time and the will - follow the Wild Dingo. Your hubby can buy a Triton table saw and a Triton sliding extension table for cutting large panels, a few other tools that he might think he needs and build everything to fit from scratch and still come out a bit cheaper and have a whole lotta fun. (Note: this is my favourite option)
Make sure you post and let us know how & what you do.

Originally Posted by toddles

Ok my two bob.
4 - If you've got the time and the will - follow the Wild Dingo. Your hubby can buy a Triton table saw and a Triton sliding extension table for cutting large panels, a few other tools that he might think he needs and build everything to fit from scratch and still come out a bit cheaper and have a whole lotta fun. (Note: this is my favourite option)
Make sure you post and let us know how & what you do.

Hint the Bunnings I go to O'connor / Perth will cut MDF / Melamine etc to size = get this 1st cut $1.00 .50C there after - how cheap is that. Get all cut 5mm larger and clean it up with the router - easy peasy.

Celeste