Justifying the Expense of the Backsplash

11 years ago

First, please let me say thank you to everyone that followed and posted on my backsplash threads (Cabinetmaker gone...Parts I and II). This journey will soon be over - I hope.

The purpose of this thread is to justify the cost of the backsplash. Each of you that remodeled, redecorated or built a new home know what I am talking about. Cabinets are expensive, counters are expensive, flooring is expensive - it all adds up. So, why is it that the backsplash is an area that is "cheaped out?" Please do not misunderstand this statement. I did not agonize over the cost of the cabinets, appliances, or counters as I am this dang backsplash! The energy and time I expended on the backsplash is more than spent on counters, flooring, etc. However, the cost of the backsplash is much less than any of those mentioned. And, let's not forget the small fortune spent on cabinetry hardware.

The wonderful owner of the granite and tile shop dropped the price by 30% because 1) I have a lifetime discount for purchasing counters and 2) I kept after him for a greater discount. He is bound by the distributors with 'X' for a profit margin. When I closed out our last telephone call, he said, "I am going to work these numbers backwards with the distributor. This is your price out the door."

In closing, I am making the phone call to order the backsplash tile. No Christmas at our house this year. :-)

Comments (6)

sixtyohno
11 years ago
It certainly is Christmas at your house. You have a wonderful new kitchen. So make it a foody Christmas and make everyone's favs in your new kitchen.
Laura
beekeeperswife
11 years ago
You don't need to justify it. You will love that tile just as much as every other part of your kitchen. It was carefully chosen. Often the right backsplash is what really finishes off the kitchen and takes it to the "next level". You might not be getting a bottle of perfume this year, but you will be getting a back splash. Maybe Santa will bring you some. . . . . G R O U T !!! And maybe some caulk in your stocking!
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Many people have done this. I am not sure if I have seen examples of having the 4" backsplash removed though. Scroll down to tergar's Fnished Backsplash! post for the latest GW example of this.
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I can see why it might be advisable to remove the left/rt portions of tile, but I would be inclined to wait until ithe kitchen is completed before deciding. If, as your gut tells you, it "needs" to come down, nothing is really lost except a little more time with it up. Perhaps knowing you are not "locked-in" or committed to it, will help give the perspective to view it more objectively while deciding for sure. This way you will not only have the chance to see it with everything else in place, but you will also have the opportunity to get used to it, before deciding if you truly dislike it, or just haven't gotten used to it being there. As subtle (in color) as our tile is, after months of looking at white painted Sheetrock, it still looked "different" and stood out when we looked at our kitchen. Once we became accustomed to it, we couldn't imagine our walls without it. That's how I am with many things--after living with a blank wall or empty space for any period of time, even a long awaited piece of furniture or decor item jumps out at me, and almost seems like too much, until I get used to the vacant space being filled. Thanks for the compliments on our backsplash Laura and andreak100! It's the Opera Glass tile from Artistic Tile (Stilatto pattern) in Wolfgang White. It does read greenish-blue(-grey) in certain lights or times of day. We had to think about that one while deciding if we wanted to use it, and obviously decided to go for it! Good luck Laura! Honestly, whatever you decide will look terrific!
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CKGM - If you're anything like me, you're probably fixating on that tile every time you go into the kitchen. And, if you're doing that, you're not noticing the other beautiful choices you've made and enjoying all the work that you've done up until now. Of course you can change it if you don't love it (assuming that you can get your DH on board) but you don't have to do it right now. You have all the time in the world to contemplate what will work with your other choices and get it absolutely perfect next time around...whether that's in a month or in a year. I hope you're able to let the backsplash fade into the background for awhile and enjoy the other elements. Maybe you might even forget how much you disliked it at some point? And, if not, you can always accidentally throw paint all over it and then have to rip it out and replace it later! And, can I add that some people might like to have no tile in their kitchen, but that doesn't mean that every person prefers the monotone look. I know that I don't. I wouldn't disparage someone else for their personal preference... Ok, I feel better now!
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yep that's my kitchen. Sorry it's not in your budget, but gpraceman does have a good idea about granite tiles. I have seen these used in place of granite slabs for the counter, when a budget dictated it. "To Me", they did not look that bad. I had to redo the area of the granite where the cook top is, due to a bad choice I made about cooktops, a 36" semi-circle Caldera. It died in about a year and the company went broke, so I had to replace it with a rectangular induction cooktop, Hence the granite rework. Well I could find Granite remnants (Arandis Gold) for next to nothing, (I paid about $75 for a little less than a half slab. So you may be able to do that too, and then have it cut to sizes you want for the tile, myself, the bigger the better, and the less grout lines. Thanks for your kind words about my kitchen, it is pretty unique, and as we tell folks here, Do what makes you happy, after all, it's your kitchen. For those of you that do like tiles and grout, that's great, as long as it's what you want, and you're not following others or doing what you "Think", might help sell the house later. Gary
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motherof3sons
Original Author
11 years ago
Sixtyohno - Your kitchen is one of my all time faves! The subway tile backsplash makes me smile every time I look at it. Your cabinets are stunning with the clean lines and who can forget the counters!!! But, I have to say the floor rugs just draw me in. They are beautiful and fit so well in the space.

Bee - Well, you know how much I admire your taste and appreciate the advise. I did not get the light fixture we discussed, but I did get a very simple fixture with a unique glass. My next time east, I am going to email for a "meet 'n greet"!

Thank you for both for posting. I can't wait to get my new backsplash!
oldbat2be
11 years ago
Oh boy, can't wait to see what you picked and how you chose to have it set!

As to the expense, oh one gets so worn down by the renovation process, and the 'need' to make a decision on tile. As the months go on, the expensive tile which was a resounding NO initially becomes a possibility, if it will just look right.

OK this is terrible. I have 2 teenagers. Sometimes I think of kitchen purchases (gosh, let's pick a random item like a fully integrated fridge) in terms of what we'll be paying for college (50K plus/year). 5-7K (for the big purchase) vs 50K x 4 years (hopefully no more) x 2 kids? Hmmm, a drop in the bucket. Feel free to use my 'Theory of Relativity' anytime you need to justify a large purchase :)
sofla
11 years ago
Go for it as it will make your dream kitchen complete. I am remodeling a master bath now and its seems like it costing more than the kitchen remodel.
motherof3sons
Original Author
11 years ago
OB2B - I like your Theory of Relativity! I certainly recall the college tuition days! Our kids chose a state school so tuition was somewhat reasonable. I had three great days in my life - when each son called to say they had a J O B with benefits! My disposable income increased significantly. Thanks for the assistance with the photos and stay tuned for the reveal after the holidays!

Sofla - I know about the cost of a bathroom. The cost to install the tile was way out of the budget. Ouch!

Justifying the Expense of the Backsplash

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Justifying the Expense of the Backsplash

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