After much research both online and at other places (such as Appliance Canada) and taking extensive measurements, my boyfriend and I went to Sears on Sat April 4, 2009 where I purchased all 4 units. I had narrowed it down to 1 dishwasher, 3 stoves, and 2 washer/dryer pairs. I ended up going with my particular stove because it had everything I was looking for. The alternates either did not have outlets (very important as I use my toaster there all the time) or did not have a self-cleaning option.
For the washer/dryer, I was looking at Quiet Pak 2, but for an extra $50.00, it had chrome windows (instead of white), had a jeans cycle and were both Quiet Pak 4, so I thought it was worthwhile.
I was worried about if it would fit in the space and not stick out, but it all worked out fine in the end.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Background
I bought a condo in downtown Toronto that's about 700 square feet. I moved here about 6 years ago (April 2003) and have not done any renovations. A few months back I decided to undergo a bathroom renovation but then realized that my kitchen needed a "facelift" even more. So I decided to start my kitchen planning process.
Facts About My Kitchen:
- Building is 20 years old
- Original appliances (20 years old) include: stove, dishwasher and washer
- Upgraded appliances (at least 6 years old) include: fridge, dryer
Stove:
Old - GE, about 20 years old (2 fires), coils, exposed coil in oven, not self-cleaning, basic
New - Kenmore Ceramic flat cooktop, hidden coil in oven, large storage in bottom, warmer and 4 elements (total of 5), delayed timer features
Cost: $799 (original price $999)
Dishwasher:
Old - GE, about 20 years old (never worked in the 6 years I've lived here, wasn't hooked up).
New - Kenmore Energy star tall tub, white dishwasher with 5 cycles
Cost: $349 (original price $549)
Notes: $50 rebate back since Energy Star, No PST on dishwasher
Washer/Dryer Pair
Old Washer: GE, about 20 years old, top load with no insert in middle
New: Kenmore HE (high efficiency) washer front load, Energy star
Old dryer: Maytag, loud mechanical noises, did not function properly
New dryer: Kenmore HE, not energy star (in fact it uses the most energy on the chart!) - didn't realize this until after I purchased it
Cost: $1650 for both (on sale, original was a few hundred more)
Notes: Rebate of $60 from City of Toronto for washer
Total cost including taxes, rebates back, delivery, installation, etc. was $3237.00
Facts About My Kitchen:
- Building is 20 years old
- Original appliances (20 years old) include: stove, dishwasher and washer
- Upgraded appliances (at least 6 years old) include: fridge, dryer
Stove:
Old - GE, about 20 years old (2 fires), coils, exposed coil in oven, not self-cleaning, basic
New - Kenmore Ceramic flat cooktop, hidden coil in oven, large storage in bottom, warmer and 4 elements (total of 5), delayed timer features
Cost: $799 (original price $999)
Dishwasher:
Old - GE, about 20 years old (never worked in the 6 years I've lived here, wasn't hooked up).
New - Kenmore Energy star tall tub, white dishwasher with 5 cycles
Cost: $349 (original price $549)
Notes: $50 rebate back since Energy Star, No PST on dishwasher
Washer/Dryer Pair
Old Washer: GE, about 20 years old, top load with no insert in middle
New: Kenmore HE (high efficiency) washer front load, Energy star
Old dryer: Maytag, loud mechanical noises, did not function properly
New dryer: Kenmore HE, not energy star (in fact it uses the most energy on the chart!) - didn't realize this until after I purchased it
Cost: $1650 for both (on sale, original was a few hundred more)
Notes: Rebate of $60 from City of Toronto for washer
Total cost including taxes, rebates back, delivery, installation, etc. was $3237.00
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Vertical blinds
Before my kitchen reno I was very much in need of new vertical blinds. After asking around, one of my colleagues mentioned Blinds To Go. I went to their store at Bloor and Davenport and selected the stirling grey vertical blinds. The steps to order blinds are:
1. Visit the Blinds to go web-site and do rough measurements - they have a step-by-step process for taking height, width and depth
2. Select the blinds you're interested in (virtually) and using the cost calculator you'll get a rough estimate
3. Visit the store and see them in person (colour/style is quite different on the web)
4. Request an in-person visit for measurement. This costs $35.00
5. Order the blinds based on the measurements (the installer will transfer them to the store).
6. The order takes 2-4 days as it comes from Montreal. When they're in the store, they call you and you call the installer.
7. He comes (with blinds and a helper) and installs them. The installation charge is $95.00.
8. The total amount for blinds cost $430 ($35 estimate + $300 blinds + $95 installation)
Note: In a condo, the back of the vertical blinds will always be white. This is a rule so that when looking at a building - it's seamless (you don't see a variety of different colours in the window).
1. Visit the Blinds to go web-site and do rough measurements - they have a step-by-step process for taking height, width and depth
2. Select the blinds you're interested in (virtually) and using the cost calculator you'll get a rough estimate
3. Visit the store and see them in person (colour/style is quite different on the web)
4. Request an in-person visit for measurement. This costs $35.00
5. Order the blinds based on the measurements (the installer will transfer them to the store).
6. The order takes 2-4 days as it comes from Montreal. When they're in the store, they call you and you call the installer.
7. He comes (with blinds and a helper) and installs them. The installation charge is $95.00.
8. The total amount for blinds cost $430 ($35 estimate + $300 blinds + $95 installation)
Note: In a condo, the back of the vertical blinds will always be white. This is a rule so that when looking at a building - it's seamless (you don't see a variety of different colours in the window).
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