I am also leaning toward the ge cafe range (in gas). Most of the reviews I have found have been pretty good. There doesnt seem to be a perfect appliance.

Welcome! You'll find a lot of really important information, including how to post pictures, in the READ ME thread that should be on the first page or two.

Other options for the microwave include the Sharp MW drawer, putting a built-in microwave in a full height "pantry" cabinet, or making a shelf either below upper cabinets, or under the counter, for a free standing microwave to sit on. The biggest issue will be what your builder's cabinetry allowance allows for and whether customization is available. If it isn't, you might have to get a carpenter to reconfigure a cabinet after you close, but that's the hard way to do it, and it's very hard to recover from a mistake.

Replacing the OTR with a "real" hood shouldn't be hard, but you might have seen our discussions of make-up air. If you get a significantly more powerful hood, and your new house is really air-tight, you might have some issues there, the solutions for which should be designed into the house.

Re the island, you can do that, but you'll have a small island instead of a large peninsula. I did that in my kitchen--replaced a gigantic peninsula with a small island, and I like it much better, but you'll want to go over the layout really well, here, to make sure you're getting all the function you need.

For appliances, I'm sure you'll get some responses here, but do try the Appliances Forum for more specific information.

As far as appliances go, LG knows electronics, appliances not so much. KitchenAid will have the better quality between them and GE. Really great prices at this time.

Here is Noobie's first floor plan:

Noobie: I'm not a layout expert but I will second the idea of a MW drawer if you can make space for it. We had the same issue with not wanting to take up counter space and our cabinet builder recommended a MW drawer. We really like it.

It looks like your DW is a bit far from the sink. Looks like you should have room next to the sink for a DW. However if you change to an island then that will change your layout anyway...

And you have probably come across this in your lurking but just in case... almost everyone here loves and recommends doing drawers for the lower cabinets. That was one of the best recommendations I got for our reno. The couple cabs I have that aren't drawers bug me.

Good luck and congrats on your new build!

AHH u guys are awesome!!!
thank you x a million!!!

Re: microwave drawer! Never thought of that.. the decor center at our builder is less than helpful, and made us make all our decisions ON THE SPOT.. no browsing appointment, nothing. It was really frustrating! So i just sent her an email asking about that. Thank you! I'm going to google it to see how it looks!

Re: appliances... sooo new to this and having such a hard time figuring out what is the best choice.. you go and invest all this money in a new home and i want to put quality appliances in there!

Re: The air hood - need more explanation on that one.. I wanted to get the chimney hood, and rip out the cabinets above (although I feel crappy about taking them out since they are new..), and have the backsplash go all the way up, which is why I also wanted a "slide in" stove, to avoid that top lip on the range.. and it seems only the GE Cafe has that type (double oven, freestanding, no top lip)

You guys are beyond helpful!!

Slow them down!!!! NOW!!!

To get a good design will take time...and you don't want to be locked into some choices just b/c someone wants a sale right this instant!

Like almost anything else, planning & designing should take up most of your timeline...to get everything right and the way you like it. A well-planned out & designed project will go much more smoothly and quickly in the long run.

Regarding KA vs GE...for cooking appliances, I think GE wins out, especially GE Cafe & GE Profile. LG vs GE, I think the same.

For DW, I would avoid GE...I had nothing but problems with our GE Profile DW (replaced w/Maytag that was wonderful) and have read about issues quite a few other people have had with GE DWs. I suspect KA is better overall than GE in the DW department.

Refrigerators...GE is OK, ditto KA (experience w/both). I don't know which is better, if either.

Don't be locked into a "suite" of appliances. No manufacturer makes the best of everything. So, look at functionality, repair histories (Consumers Reports is good for this), reviews (Appliances Forum, AJ Madison, and other sites), and consider your budget. Get the best you can afford for each.

OK...maybe not a sale right now, but they just wanted to check off a task...and they don't have to live with the rushed choices!

what beuhl said.... slow them down! How locked in are you to the cabinetry and layout? I assumed from your first post that nothing had been installed yet, and you could request layout changes. But then you said, "rip out the cabinets above (although I feel crappy about taking them out since they are new." which makes me think that these cabinets are already installed....

A lot of people here can give you truly excellent (often professional) advice, so it you have any way to make them put a hold on finishing the kitchen, I'm sure you'll get some great suggestions here.

You can probably make the layout a lot better if you have that option at this point.

If everything's already installed, and you would have to rip out or modify existing brand-new cabinets, there are options there as well. But let us know which it is, so we can make more realistic proposals :)

And if there's any way to call them up and request they work on other parts of the house and leave the kitchen alone for now, I'd do it!

ok can i tell u again how much i love you guys?

Ok so here's what happened - bought the house (part of a project, as u can see when u click on the link).. and then got delayed twice. Finally got called to "decor"... and BAM! hit me with a truck!! We were there for NINE hours that day!! I'm not even kidding you! I walked out so dejected.. and the woman who was "helping" us, kept disappearing and making us feel like annoying insects.. Sorry.. I just spent 700K on a house, and you want me to choose and spend another 20+ K on upgrades ALL IN ONE DAY?
I was so angry.. So afterwards I went back to the saleswoman and told her that I was upset, and slowly I have been able to make *some* changes without incurring the $500 "change anything or delete anything" fee. I'm STILL asking for a sketch of the island, which I was told will be 5x3 (is that sizeable? DOnt even know how many can sit at that breakfast bar!), and still haven't gotten that info. Went to see the house, and its all up! When I asked if I can pull out the top cabinets above the fridge, she said she had to "ask" and see if i could *still* do that. I can't tell you how overwhelmed and frustrated I am.. that's why I have even more confusion RE: appliances and can't visualize how it will all look!

THank you for your advice.. keep it coming!! The advice RE appliances has especially been helpful!!!

XO

The problem I see with the builder's salesperson is that she just wants you to be done and out of her hair. Sorry, but based on what you described, that's what I think. I'm sure they (builder and salesperson) don't want to do anything "different" than what they've been doing (takes less thought and effort on their part), but they don't have to live with the results. In this economy w/housing starts so slow, you may have more flexibility than, say 5 years ago during the peak. I would push as far as I could.

I also have another suggestion...the Garage entrance into the house. I would definitely NOT want to have to go through the Laundry Room to get into/out of the house! Even more emphatically, I would not want others to have to go through it (other family, close friends...that's who usually uses the "family" entrance). Could you either add a new or move the existing doorway to the little angle cut out on the right?

Not only would I not want people to see my dirty laundry laying around (or even clean in baskets), but it's a round-about way to get into the rest of the house. The house itself may be above grade, but this is something I have a real issue with...what are builders thinking???

Now, if you could move the Laundry Room to, say upstairs with the bedrooms, then I would keep the door where it is and convert the Laundry Room to a Mudroom w/cubbies and a closet for family coats.

You could close off some of the upstairs "Computer Area" for a Laundry Room. It puts the Laundry where the clothes come from/go to. My brother has a "Computer Area" like that and while he thought it was great idea when they were building, he now says it's a big waste of space... (Whether you'll feel that way later, I don't know.)

Have they started the foundation yet?

OK...if you can make changes, here are a couple of options.

BTW...for seating, you need 24" of linear space per seat and a minimum 15" overhang. This means your island must be at least 40.5" deep.

1.5" counter overhang + 24" deep cabinets + 15" seating overhang = 40.5"

If your island is only 3' deep, that means you will have a 10.5" overhang...definitely too shallow! If they give you a hard time about it, tell them the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA...the people who certify kitchen & bath designers) recommend this 24" x 15" space as a minimum!

(36" - 1.5" - 24" = 10.5")

You also only have room for 2 people at a 5' wide island; for a third, you need another 12".

Note: The windows are counter-height with a 7" bumpout to give you more space behind the sink....and it looks nice!

See the thread I linked below, especially MamaDadaPaige & ErikaNH's windows.

They probably won't let you do it though...too bad! But you could try....but I'd wait until you have other things that, to me, are more important...Kitchen design & Garage Door change (or move Laundry Room)...in particular. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: counter height window pictures please

OOPS! The house is already up!!! (That's what I get for not refreshing b/f posting)!!

So, I guess no changes????

They installed the refrigerator cabinet before you had your appliances picked out? Is there room to at least "build in" the refrigerator alcove? (With finished end panels on any exposed side.)

buehl you are awesome!!! how the HECK did u do those layouts and all those measurements!! Can you come shake some sense into our builder??

1. AMAZING LAYOUTS!

2. Layout 1 seems most like what will happen... I sent her an email about the MW drawer, no answer yet. They did say that if they put in an island, they would move the DW to beside the sink.. so you got it bang on. I feel, like its going to be $$$ to put that MW drawer in.. but we'll wait and see what they say. They already told me it would cost over $500 to pull out those top fridge cabs.. rip off.

3. ABout the windows, and the bumpout.. is that what we have, or is that what we should try and get? I'm obvi an idiot when it comes to reading layouts.

4. Laundry room. I see your annoyance and I raise it ten fold. However, I can't do anything at all about it. I CAN move the washer/dryer to the basement (which won't be finished yet) and make it a mud room, but won't that require changing some structural stuff? Like I said, dealing with them has NOT been pleasant. I can't wait to get the house and finish with it.

5. I also feel like when I went in the other day, it didn't feel too "open".. that the entrance is kind of small.. but hopefully once its done I will feel differently.

6. PS found Electrolux slide in with 2 ovens.. not sure how good Electrolux is though.. just because I saw some bad reviews on the GE Cafe range (mostly bad for the gas range, not electric).

Buehl.. come to canada and be my home agent!!

So the woman emailed me back.. CHANGED the cost for the upper cabinet from $540 to $780!!! And apparently the cost for putting the microwave in the island is $200 for electric, and $7-800 to "make space" for it. Honestly, I'm livid and completely unsure on what to do.

Window bumpout...It's what, if the house wasn't already up, I'd ask for. But, I'm sure it's too late. Is the window over the sink at least counter-height? (Probably not b/c it takes more effort and precision to do a counter-height window than one that's "around" 6" or so above the counter.)

Laundry Room...we put our W/D in the basement to gain a pantry in the kitchen when we built. It's been over 15 years and I'm still OK with laundry in the basement. When I get older, I may not feel that way, but I'm hoping that b/f we retire we can add a first-floor master suite plus Laundry Room addition out the back of the house...but that will have to wait until our children grow up and get through college.

See if the builder will be willing to rough in the hot & water connections and a drain for the washer; also a vent for the dryer, if possible. You'll also need a 220(?) outlet for the dryer.

(Refreshed this time!)

Did she change the upper cabinet to a full-depth cabinet (i.e., 24" deep instead of 12")? If so, I'd say it's worth it if it's in the budget.

MW Drawer...if there's no island yet, why do they have to "make space" for it? It should fit in a 24" cabinet (24"x24") It may cost more, though, for it to be modified to take the MW drawer. Mine had to be. Basically, it takes up the top and middle drawer positions in the cabinet with a drawer underneath.

Oh, I think the "make space" comment was to modify the cabinet to fit it. $700-$800 is steep...it should be more like $400 (that's what it cost me and someone else who posted here about it last week). [I've linked to the installation tips for installing a MW drawer in a stock 24" cabinet, i.e., no "customization" prior to what they tell you to do in the installation instructions.]

The cost of the electric is probably the cost of the dedicated circuit...I think Code requires built-in MWs be on their own circuit...but I'm not sure.

Here's the thing about builders...if they don't want to do something, they often jack the price up so high that either you won't do it (what they want) or if you do, they make a killing on it. That sounds like what's happening here.

How are you or our DH's DIY skills? Could you have them install the electric and then you or your DH install the MW drawer?

Here is a link that might be useful: Installation Tips - 24'' in 24'' Face Frame Cabinet

She had sent me an email this morning saying that its $540 to bump out the cabinets to 24 inches. Then she sent an email again, saying that it will be $780 instead because of "gables"?
Your advice about putting the electric in the island, and doing the MW myself is good. I will LEARn to be handy dammit!
I also wrote in the email that I am disappointed with the entire experience. I will leave her to deal with that.
Thank you SO much for your patience and advice.. I appreciate it SO much. I hope one day I can help someone likewise!

I have an electrolux slide in range with the 2 ovens, but it's induction. We love it. I recommend that you check out induction - everyone seems to love it.

Have you posted on the appliances forum?

Good luck - how exciting for you!

Is she saying b/c you need a finished side for the cabinet...the side that's not against the tall cabinet on the left? That is a tall cabinet b/w the wall and refrigerator, isn't it?

FYI to anyone who was confused about the use of "gables". I found this online: Gable is the correct term for a finished end in Canada.

HomeNoobie is in Canada...so I'm assuming that's what the salesperson is talking about.

Personally, I'd rather have a full-height finished end panel that's as deep as the refrigerator carcass (plain finish like filler).

Then, I'd create an alcove using the finished end panel for one side and the tall cabinet on the other side. The upper cabinet would be installed b/w these two and would not need to be finished on the sides.

Like this:

No finished sides needed for the cabinet. But, the end panel will cost you (as, I'm sure will the installation). To me, though, I'd rather pay for the "built-in" look and I'd be more willing to pay it as well.

I have had the GE Cafe dual fuel range and counter depth Cafe fridge (LOT's of research done)for 8 months and have had no problems and really am enjoying them. I have a Bosh DW nice and quiet. Boy I hope they start helping you out and stop being difficult! Good luck! CJC

Newbie- I know there is a lot of discussion above involving in the layout. I decided to go with a full height cabinet (bottom, counter top, garage for micro, cookie sheet storage) (description is from the bottom up obviously...) I don't know if that helps, but that is how I got around my microwave issue since I didn't want to give up the storage for a micro drawer in the island or have it sitting on a countertop. We did all Kitchenaid appliances for the new house (not finished yet), because we loved the previous Kitchenaid appliances we had. Not one problem in 4 years. They were great- a good mix of quality and price.