Ithink we need more information. You say you allocated $150 for kitchen & MBR remodel. Did you leave out any zeros, and how many?

One comment: If son is going off to college, do you really need a 36" range? Do you do a lot of BIG entertaining when you'll actually use a lot of really hot restaurant style burners? If not, go with the 30" range. BTW, Consumer Reports, which has tested a wide variety of ranges has consistently found that special high end ranges like Viking and Wolf have a relatively poor service record. They're more often delivered with defects and more often need servicing, AND do not work any better than a good GE or similar make, which is much less costly. (We recently bought a 30" Bosch gas range for a little under $1000. The gas plumber who installed it said of the inner components, "Wow, I never saw one like this before except in a restaurant stove." So maybe you might re-examine your appliance selection.

About you bathroom floor: there are so many really good choices, and shopping around you can often get a good buy if you stay away from the shops with the fancy overhead. Besides, the cost of the installation is often a big factor which you can't scrimp on becaue you want it done right. And make sure you get the special grouting that doesn't stain. It's more expensive, but worth it because you'll be confident that the grout will always look right. Our installer said he only installed the special grout in restaurants, and that it wasn't necessary in a bathroom, but I insisted for our peace of mind.

Good luck in your renovations.

Great advice Haus Proud! I will remember grout advice when we do ours. Lisa, Install cabinets so you can later on add a 36" if you find really need it. It's ok to not have it all at once and leave a little for later on. There are some fabulous 30" ranges to choose from. As for kids off to college...my experience is they come home with lots of friends to visit. You can always pull out a portable induction cooktops for those heavy cooking occasions. Congrats on your remodel. We are remodeling also and it has been a long wait for us as well. But I am glad we waited as the options of appliances and home building options is better now than ever before.

if you're planning on buying a built-in fridge, think about whether you can purchase a freestanding one and then have your cabinetry built around it so as to still get that 'built-in' feel.

bingo. you just saved six grand.

Better question is how much do you want to spend in your revised budget for a range? You may be able to get 36" in a non-Wolf brand (that may actually outperform the Wolf)

Many cleaning products could cause the marble tile to etch. I have marble flooring in my powder room and that was my first experience with etching. I couldn't get those darned spots off and couldn't figure out why. I think they came with the house, so I don't now what did it -- just that I have them in a couple of places. Does that help you feel better about not having marble flooring?

We did our kitchen and hope to do the laundry room and master bath someday -- maybe even the hardwoods on the main floor and not spend that much total -- assuming there are at least 3 zeros missing.

Personally, I would not cut on apliances in my kitchen, but I view my kitchen as a workspace and tools for something DH and I both enjoy. Work space and good appliances were primary for us, and we went understated rather than for bling. What is right for you may be different. The size of your kitchen and the level of your needs and cooking expectations may be different from mine. I've cooked on several 30" cooktops and have always been able to do it. If you're an average cook, 30" is probably fine -- maybe more than you need. Having 36" and 6 burners makes it easier and was important to me.

I don't know about Viking, but I do know that everyone I have talked to -- appliance sales, repair and installation, have said the problems I had with my Wolf ovens were very rare. They were replaced quickly, and I am very happy.

I also know that Consumer Reports doesn't test Wolf, and I don't remember seeing a test for Viking. Their service history is based on surveys, and after having answered a couple, I really have to take those with a handful of salt. They don't tell you as much as you think they do.

I do agree that to meaningfully help you cut costs, we'd have to know a lot more about your plans, choices, how far you are into planning or executing, what your priorites are and why you need or want certain things. And you need to consider whether the things you think you need or want are really important to your use of the kitchen and bath. Are you getting your space or getting caught up in someone else's marketing plans?

If you've got $150,000 budget and are going over, is the difference between a 30" and a 36" that significant? I'm not sure if you're talking about a range, rangetop, cooktop, etc., but the difference between one size and another in many appliances is a few hundred dolalrs. The cost of leaving 6 inches to change in a plan (more like 3 iches on either side sp 2 differnt pieces of cabinetry or fill and then buying another appliance later is a LOT more. Also consider the cost of another 6 inches in your cabinetry, if it is not something you would later change out. Chances are you'll have more costs there, and it may be as much or more than you'd save on a cooktop.

I don't think your equipment is the place to cut costs -- not if you need it or will use it. If you're buying it for a look, then you can get a similar look in a different line. Even a Kenmore or Frigidaire will give you a pro-look.

Thanks for the info. I actually love to cook and entertain so following your suggestions, I'm going to stick with the 36" Wolf. The refrigerator suggestion was a good one. I'll do machine-made subway tiles for backsplash rather than handmade. I'll replace marble flooring in bathroom with travertine and subway. I appreciate all the feedback.

To answer lascatx, demo is slated for May 19th. We have our cabinet drawings completed and are waiting for the bid on that. Bathroom design is completed but I will probably have to do some tweaking there. I still need to decide in trims/mouldings/fixtures. So, we're coming along nicely.

Well you're at a stage where you can still make a lot of choices for cost savings. One of the easiest places to have a big impact in is your cabinets since they can be half of your budget and certain options can add 10-20% each. I remeber seeing discussion on two of Brookhaven's door styles -- one cost a lot less than the other and most folks couldn't tell the difference unless it was pointed out to them.

You can also look for subway options. I was ready to go with the machine made standards (about $2 sq ft), and I think I would have been happy with them, but I got one that was just a little thicker and less evn in finish. I liked the idea that reflections of of it would ripple a little. Mine listed about $11-12 sq ft and I think I paid between $8-9 sq ft. I have seen other subways that run over $20 sq ft, so depending on which type you were looking at, there might be a middle ground. If not, the classics are still great and you can add some personality with a pattern, a liner or an insert/acent tile.

You may also find that tiny details make a big difference in the price of your mouldings and trims. Fixtures are a place where you can get the same look and a good quality in lots of price ranges. Have fun!

If you love to cook, don't skimp a few bucks on a range.

Look at a Bluestar instead of a Wolf-the 22k BTU burners outclass everything else on the market. And yes, high heat can make a difference in the taste of your food.

To really save money, look for a lower grade of countertop or flooring. Changing to a less expensive granite or solid surface material can save thousands of dollars. Consider a less expensive fridge or DW, or a less expensive finish on the cabinets. That is where the real money goes, not a grand or two on a range. It's often the optional or more exotic materials that drive the cost up, not the basic units themselves.

Your changes sound sensible.

Echoing lascatx & cpovey, if you love to cook it doesn't makes sense to chintz on your cooking tools in what is clearly a renovation with a generous budget. My own budget battle to pay for a Wolf ultimately landed me a 36" BlueStar. My biggest cut was in cabinetry. I opted for the BS over Wolf at roughly the same cost for the star shape burner & 22K output. My renovation was 2 years ago on a smaller budget with my appliances taking a huge chunk. I was creating a work station so tools won every battle for the buck.

Do I use all 6 burners? All the time as landing space and pot-jugglers. Rarely do I have all 6 flames shooting at once. We are 3 at home as well with a teen pouring over college options daily. I may well fire up those 6 burners more often when she's off and our entertaining habits involve more leisurely adult fun and fewer teen slumber parties & runs out the door to sporting events.

There are many materials for floors and countertops that look great, function beautifully, and don't cost as much as other surfaces.

glad to hear that some of these suggestions are working for you.

i also find that on stuff like light fixtures, plumbing hardware, and cabinet hardware, you can spend three times as much by just going with 'top of the line' rather than doing your research and getting 'good, and looks almost the same as top of the line'.

a $200 kitchen faucet is going to be all-brass and utilize ceramic disks just like that $1100 perrin and rowe. try and think about where you're spending money just for the "name" and then go find something similar but for much less money.

oh, and how many ovens are you putting in your kitchen? i'm seeing these kitchens in the magazines with a range plus two wall ovens, plus a microwave, plus a warming drawer. that's insane. nobody needs that many ovens.

I need to second the motion that you need to decide what is most important to you. If it is real cooking, then skimp somewhere else- not your appliances. I bought the appliances that I really wanted, only minimally considering cost. Then I worked the other expenses around it.

I decided on saving by buying Ikea cabinets and less expensive granite countertops. I kept the traditional looks I wanted by buying really nice solid bronze cabinet knobs and getting bullnose trim on the granite. The cabinets are now in and they look lovely- with the nice touches I don't think that they look "cheap" at all, and I saved thousands of dollars.

For some people, I am sure that Ikea cabinets would insult their sense of design, but for me it helped facilitate the kitchen I wanted. And, I could afford all the drawers I wanted and buy lots of cabinets for my laundry room as well. For me the added bonus is that if one of my kids damages one of the cabinet doors, I can simply order a new one at Ikea and it is as good as new.

Hello all,

I have been reading here for quite a while and this is actually my first real post! My husband and I are actually about to embark on quite an extensive remodel and addition ourselves so this issue is a big one for us right now. Especially for me (which is strange), but I am totally stressing about budget and money. All I can say is don't skimp on your appliances. I have dreamed about this kitchen forever and that is the one thing I am not going to comprimise on. There are ways however to push some expenses back. For example, in my butler's pantry, not going to buy the wine cooler for right now, but I am having the cabinets built and wired accordingly. Same for beverage cooler in bar in family room. I am not going to sacrifice the DR, MBR, and MBA chandeliers I want so I am having them wired and capped until I can get the ones I want (just use the can lights). The vanities in my MBA are going to be a custom built furniture type casegood with a rather involved finish so for now it will be 2 pedestal sinks. I think you get my point. Don't skimp on the bones of your addition (esp. the appliances) just add the extras as you can. I feel that at least the kitchen needs to be how you want it or as close as you can get to it if you spend a lot of time in there. Take it from me I spent the entire weekend in a dreadful dungeon of a kitchen entertaining out of town family, and I got thru it by picturing myself in my new one.

Sorry for the dissertation.

Happy remodeling,
Shannon

One thing not to forget: with a really serious cook range, you need to plan on a really effective rangehood/exhaust system. The two go hand in hand.

i'm in the camp that if you love to cook and entertain go for the 36" 6 burner, i did and no regrets.

we waited until our third child left for college and finally renovated our kitchen/dining room/area and i would say it is much more functional for a family of five now but the money just wasn't there earlier to do.

Two out of three are home in the summer so it will be beneficial then but it is a joy to cook on a larger stove/cooktop with high BTU's

We are both loving it and you will too!

Enjoy!!!!!!

As one who did the handmade tile route, I speak from experience- and the poor house.

Although my tile exactly matches my cabinetry, I'm not terribly sure why that mattered so. In my NEXT kitchen I will do off the rack tile, and as my tile guy suggested, do a little bit of an irregular install to mimic the look of handmade tile.

I agree with going for the 36" range0 and lascatx's advice about cabinets/door styles is very good. You could save a bundle there.

Best of luck!

WITH ALL THE GOOD INFORMATION HERE, ANY THOUGHTS ON THE KENMORE PRO SERIES. RANGE, D/W,OR HOOD?

WITH ALL THE GOOD INFORMATION HERE, ANY THOUGHTS ON THE KENMORE PRO SERIES. RANGE, D/W,OR HOOD?

I'll echo the thoughts not to skimp on the range, but I do want to share with you...we were going to get a Dual Fuel Wolf (36"). One big savings (a few thousand) would have been to drop that down to a gas only. And then our ultimate savings was to skip Wolf all together and go with a Lacanche, which is basically the same thing, but made in France and it has color :) Ok we didn't save much...but we'd been toying with upgrading the 36" to a 48" wolf and instead got a 55 1/2" Lacanche for the same price as the 36" wolf.

With in that space we also got a warming cabinet, which saved a couple grand on the warming drawer we didn't need anymore, so there was still savings and we got all we'd ever want in a stove.

In our rental we have the same amount of space and wanted a nice looking range so we went with an Aga, which was much less in $$ but still had the look we were shooting for in a 36" range.

Skip, a good friend of ours has the Kenmore Pro Series Range and he likes it quite a bit. He's a chef and uses it to it's utmost. His comments in discussing our choice were that he'd like that extra oomph he'd get with a Lacanche but considering that this range came in their home, he's very happy with it. They have had repairs though I think three or four times??? Issues with heat regularity on the oven were a repeated problem and I think one of the burners had a clicking issue if I remember right (this is a conversation from a couple of years).

I have eaten at their home many times...he can cook like a saint on that range :) Saint Chef that is heh heh

Oh now on the hand made subway tiles...I built the poorhouse that pecanpie is residing in out of the things. I'm not going to tell you how much I love them...I do...but I could have done other things with that money. I'm not sure it was the best use of our funds for an item that I actually want to have take backstage to the other bling in the kitchen. I know KNOW you can acheive a fabulous backsplash look without spending the thousands I did...and the rent on the poorhouse just ain't cutting it to recoup those costs...Pecanpie...rent's going UP UP UP!

Thanks again for all the information. I'm set on the AG 36" Wolf & don't believe it's worth the extra $3k to get the DF. I would love handmade subway tiles, but if we splurge on the "verde fantastico" I've got to reign it in elsewhere. I may have to downgrade my floor from what I really want which is quartersawn white oak.

Just received a call from my friendly appliance guy, and he really wants to sell me a high-end DW to "go with" the rest of the kitchen. One more decision....

Oh honey on that DW...Go with the better Kitchen Aides. We've got their top and 2nd down (two houses) and couldn't ask for better machines...at MUCH less than the fancy brands (and we do have some fancy brand stuff too...these just worked better!).

I had a Kithenaid DW I was happy with, but my new Bosch is quieter and in a similar price range (the next to the top of the line). I would pick either one over a DW costing twice as much.