Sticker shock from island quote!!!!

16 years ago

I'm so upset! Got a quote for a simple island/table to match my cabinets, and it's $1900+. Then another 200 to put it together. And this is only 3 cabinets worth-

A 30" inverted base cab (drawer on the bottom)

2 9" tray bases

Plus, I guess molding around the bottom. I have no idea if they added the door panels to the back & sides.

And this doesn't include the top-I was hoping for a walnut top eventually.

I'm truly in sticker shock!

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Comments (20)

jess111
Original Author
16 years ago
Anyone have ideas??? Does this seem like a reasonable quote???
hollylh
16 years ago
I am not at all an expert as I have yet to get cabinet quotes, but I am in sticker shock from other things so I feel your pain. Some questions that I bet others will ask: custom? or a company, and if so, which? Also, I keep reading that molding and extra doors to use as panels are really expensive. Also what finish? If it's painted you could get different molding yourself to add. Panel with beadboard, or something.

I too want to hear if this is reasonable. Are these 24" deep base cabs?

Good luck!!! Holly
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marcolo - you obviously have some pent up frustrations left over from your bluecollar childhood. You also have no clue about how the industry works either! A GC can be a project manager or not. Can be a sales man on not, can, and often is, both. He or SHE might have employees and might not. That $40 an hour to a sub doesn't just go into that plumbers pocket ( less uncle Sam's cut) like your "salary" does. (S)he gets to pay our uncle just like you but, many get the privilege of sending a lot of that money in ahead of time in quarterly estimated payments, not taken out of a paycheck every two weeks like most people on salary. You should try paying your tax bill in advance - you'll love it! Out of that $40/hr comes professional fees an licenses and overhead like a phone or two, and a vehicle that gets outasite gas mileage and some have offices believe it or not, and then there is workman's comp insurance so if he steps on a nail at YOUR house you are protected, and many even have something like obamcare too, and lets not forget one of the biggest - Liability Insurance - you want your slave.... I mean contractor to have that , right marcolo? I mean you don't want him accidently cutting a water pipe and flooding your house and then leave you with the bill simply saying "sorry maser, I dinnen mean ta , I guess ya can whip me." So, what do you suppose all that is worth? Would you like to pick up some of you're job's overhead like contractors do? You can easily give your employer back $$$ for use of the phone & pay ALL of your health care costs, and buy your own computer and pay for the internet out of your salary - sound good? While your at it why not round up and pay him for your desk/chair and pencils, pens and all the reams of paper you use? Another thing none of you math wizzes have taken into account in the scenario is that the bid @ $40/hr include some material, drywall, paint, cost $$$ and should be deducted BEFORE you start computing labor scenarios. So, now we are really talking about less than $40/hr or $80k/ year , which really isn't - see weismann's explanation. To all of you that think the "hidden conditions" is just a scam - grow up. If contractors included everything that might happen in your job's bid you'd soil your pants when you saw the estimate/contract. You'd also never do the job because it'd be too expensive. The vast majority of people that did decide to move forward would be overpaying especially when no asbestos laden corpse or flesh eating mold was found in your walls or it turns out you really didn't need an all new electrical system. You'd be obligated under the contract to pay for that stuff whether you needed it or not. -OR- Do you folks think the contractor is going to assume all the risk for what might be there AND only charge you if it actually comes up? Get a clue gang. - AND / OR _ You'd all then be complaining that remodeling prices are ridiculous (even worse than in this conversation) and the threads would be about "how can I lower/ afford my remodel" And- why isn't a plumber or carpenter with 20 years experience worth $80k? Is your broker that just yaks on the phone all day, tells you to buy COKE and sell DOW and buy as much Fannie Mae as you can - "it's going through the roof" AND who is WRONG more often than not, worth $150-$500k + bonuses a year and deserving of that Maserati? Or what about the Calif. prison guards that takes home $122k a year, or the actor on the silver screen that get $10 -$40 million for 6 months work? Oh, he's worth it , cause "he's dreamy". Even better is the one whose only talent is she's recognized all over the world often gets $1milion an appearance - can't even tell the difference between cocaine and bubble gum. That's certainly a trait more valued by our society than making sure you kitchen floor is level or that hot/cold water flows to your sink for 30 + years without a problem or the lights work and don't burn your house down - so now I'm probably the one who has no clue. Oh, what about that mechanic at your Ford or Honda dealer that is charging you $90/hr? he even gets to work in a climate controlled building. Sure stuff is expensive - and I'm not saying that the OP should accept those two bids, but this is a two way street. Just because you you only have or are willing to spend $24,635 doesn't mean you can get a new kitchen in YOUR house - especially the one you really really have been salivating about. BTW marcolo, what do you think is fair for the nail driver to earn a year. What would you really like to pay him? How about: 1.your auto mechanic 2.your broker/financial planner 3.your minister/rabbi/priest - they should prob. do it for nothing? 4.the TSA worker at the airport 5.your kid's teachers 6.your accountant 7.your Gen. Practice doctor
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november
16 years ago
I don't know - do you have a price breakout of your wall cabinets to compare it with? I guess a 24" cab should cost the same as a wall mounted one, plus the cost of whatever side panel is needed. This process can be so tough...
edlakin
16 years ago
you gotta figure that if you're ordering cabinets, they're gonna get you. the quote seems reasonable to me, given what good cabinetry costs.

if i were you, i'd opt to not match my existing cabinetry and buy a stock item. maybe an butcher block island like one of those shown in this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: website with lots of islands
User
16 years ago
Actually, that is a very cheap quote for an island. Very cheap. Most islands in a mid range cabinet line like Kraftmaid will run you $3-5K with all of the finishing details like side panels that resemble doors. Base cabinets are more expensive than wall cabinets by far, and then you have to finish the islands all the way around, not just the front that faces the kitchen. Add in any corbels for countertops supports, or legs, and you're gonna be in the higher price range that I quoted. If you're in a higher price point than a mid range cabinet, then your island will be subsequently higher as well.
berryberry
16 years ago
I agree with live wire oak - your quote is quite reasonable.
luvnola
16 years ago
If you want your island to stand out and be different from your perimeter cabinets you may want to consider using scheer or Ikea cabinets for your island. Both would be substantially less and have many different options in style and color.
jess111
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the replies-

I asked for a quote on an island made of the same semi-custom cabs as I just had installed. The mfr. is Starmark. Starmark also has a custom line, so I don't know if the inverted sink base is actually from the custom line. All I got was an emailed front view of the island in 3D so I don't know if this quote included the side and back panels, or the extra doors to put on the sides and back for decorative purposes. I have an email in to my cabinet guy, and asked for a price breakdown, so we'll see....

The finish is painted & glazed-which I know is an upgrade charge, but the quote still seems outrageous to me. I really need the inverted base with the drawer on bottom, since my island will actually be a table, with an overhang all around for stools-so I'll need to be able to access the drawer.

I have questions posted on ikeafans too to see if it's possible to create the island with their cabs, but it seems they don't have 9" cabinets to use as tray bases. I'm still in the process of trying to make sense of ikea cabinets, since it seems like a confusing maze of what's available.

I looked ito scherr's online, which seems like a good alternative, but I can't tell-do they come with options for finishing, or are they all unfinished and you need to paint and glaze yourself?

I just can't figure out how about 30 feet of base & wall cabinets (30 feet or so each) cost me 14K but the island, made up of 3 cabinets only is almost 2K. Granted, my perimeter cabs are only stained and glazed, and the painted finish is more $$$, but I still can't account for the difference.
alohamillion123
16 years ago
Maybe try a furniture store? I have seen several very nice oval shaped bars at our local furniture store that would be very lovely as a kitchen island.
talley_sue_nyc
16 years ago
I really need the inverted base with the drawer on bottom,

If this is pushing your quote up really high, you might consider getting a normal sink base, and finding a handyman to help you convert it to an inverted. I think that can be done without a LOT of expense. You'll have to buy drawer slides ($50 or a little more), a drawer box ($45 maybe?) and a piece of wood to form the "floor" of the upper section, and some sort of L brackets or brace to support it. And move the hinges.
luvnola
16 years ago
You may try Ikea Direct and talk to a kitchen designer there. My island is 36" X 36" and I have an overhang butcher block top. My base consisted of 1 18inch (24inc deep base cabinet with drawer)I'm pretty sure it could be inverted so you would have the drawer on the bottom and one 36 inch wide (12 inch deep) wall cabinet, Plus I have an 18inch opening on the side with my 18 inch cabinet that my wine cooler slides into. I have side panels all around and toe kicks on the bottom. It looks just like any other island. If you talk to a kitchen designer at Ikea Direct 1-800-434-4532 (and ask for a kitchen cabinet designer) you can email them or fax them your plans and they can lay out what you will need to accomplish the look you are going for. I'm not sure they have feet, but you could certainly pick up those from Lowes or Home Depot and add to it to make it blend with your perimeter cabinets. Hope this helps!!
bestyears
16 years ago
Have you looked at Ebay? There are some island manufacturers who make some beauties, and most are customizable for color, trays, etc.

For some reason I can't cut and paste the link, but it is auction # 380012963522
User
16 years ago
Instead of an inverted base, just use a full height base without drawers. The legs are probably around $200 a piece for a "table" support. Add in the extra for the glazing and you're at $2K easily. Buy a quart of stain and look for legs at a local woodworkers supply. Or just have a local cabinet maker quote you for what you want. Even Ikea will run you $800 or so by the time you get the side panel covers and find legs to use. Islands are expensive real estate.
cheri127
16 years ago
It sounds like all of the pieces you ordered may be from their custom line which probably changes the price dramatically (I know from what I've read on this forum that there is a big difference between Brookhaven and WoodMode, for example). Add to that the standard 25% upcharge for paint and you have a $2000 quote. There's a website where you can buy really nice, custom sized pullouts that could be installed in your sink base in place of a drawer. I'll bet they're charging you quite a bit for that inverted sink cabinet. Do the tray cabinets have doors? If not, there's a considerable upcharge to paint the interior of the cabinet to match, as well.
User
16 years ago
Consider buying unfinished oak cabinets from Lowe's and painting them to match your perimeter cabinets. They carry sink bases, upper and lower cabs and drawer bases.

Something else to consider.
glennsfc
16 years ago
You can almost get a complete Ikea kitchen for that price.
Cloud Swift
16 years ago
In addition to what others pointed out, one thing that is costing you is having 48 linear inches of cabinet with 3 cabinets. A 9" cabinet costs about the same as a 24" or 36" cabinet. Thinking about cabinet cost in terms of linear feet is misleading.

BTW, the inverted base cabinet was a standard cabinet in the cabinet line we got so that might not be the problem. Do you need the tray storage to be 29" tall ( which is about what you get in a full height tray storage cabinet)? Maybe you could do two 24" inverted base cabinets instead of a 30" plus two 9" and put in dividers for tray storage in one of them.
jess111
Original Author
16 years ago
Well I am still on my quest, with the loads of helpful suggestions both here and on ikeafans.

Overstock has a really inexpensive piece (not in stock right now) that may work if I can just glaze it, but I am not crazy about the 2 open shelves. I may be able to live with it for the price. Hopefully it could support the weight of an oversized walnut top. It's also about 4" longer than I was hoping for.

I also contacted someone on ebay that will custom build them, and that would cost me around 1K without the top including shipping.

I would do the unfinished lowes/HD cabs in a heartbeat, but they dont have an inverted base cabinet. The reason that I wanted to go with (2) 9" and a 30" was pure symetry, lol. I was picturing setting the sink base up somewhat inset, with the tray cabs pulled a few inches forward just for a more custom look. However, I may just have to forgo ideal for $$ and find something that works. I am still trying to wrap my head around Ikea. If they had 9" cabs, I would be all over it, since it seems that I can do a modification with inverting the base. I dont know how difficult it is tho since my handygirl skills are nill...

Here is a link that might be useful: another option-overstock
User
16 years ago
Use a 24" full height no doors base cab and a 24" cab fitted with dowels (easy to DIY) for trays and cutting boards. That should be easy and inexpensive to source. Or figure out a way to turn that cabinet to the side to not open under the seating area. Like make it open into the adjacent aisle. Easy enough with a 24" base cab and the use of decorative doors on the sides/back to even out the overall width.
goldee
16 years ago
Buycabinet.com save a ton of money. Call Jason at 949-546-8605. give code LMSB and you will save another $100. I saved over $3000 on my cabinets buying from them. I am so happy that I was able to upgrade to cherry at a lower price than maple at HD. Searched every where and the best quote for the best quaility. Jason is really nice and helpful. If you send him pictures he can help you match the other cabinets. Just think you are going to love it when everything is done.

Sticker shock from island quote!!!!

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