I'm looking for advice on how much I should expect to pay for lifting a shelf in my laundry room. It's a bit more complicated than just a quick job because I really dislike drywall work and don't want to take this on myself. The shelf needs to be lifted at least 4 inches to accommodate new washer and dryer units, which are 39 inches high now as opposed to my current setup that's only 36 inches.
The shelf is connected to IKEA shelving on both sides and seems to be attached to the studs behind the drywall, which is actually further away under the shelf compared to above it.
Here's what I think will need to happen:
- Carefully take down the IKEA shelves
- Cut the drywall above the shelf
- Figure out how to detach the shelf from the IKEA units and the studs
- Lift the shelf up
- Repair the drywall
- Reattach the shelves
I'm curious what the price range would be for such a job and how long it might take. Also, any tips on finding a reliable person for this kind of work would be appreciated!
2 Answers
I think the job might not be as tough as you imagine. You could start by removing your current washer and dryer to take a look beneath. It’s likely you can simply remove the trim around the shelf and lift it out from underneath. If you add some wood framing on the sides and back of the shelf, you can secure it to the studs, and the existing trim can hide most of that work. It sounds like an afternoon's task rather than a big drywall job. Once you lift the shelf, the appliances will cover any removed drywall, so you might not need to paint at all!
For something like this, you might find that you'll pay more than you'd expect because, honestly, it can be a bit of a hassle for most contractors. It really depends on how complex it turns out to be and where you live since labor costs can vary a lot. You might want to check with a few local handymen to get quotes and feel them out.
Yeah, that makes sense! If the new appliances cover the area, I might skip the drywall work altogether. Thanks for the advice!