For the last 35+ years I repaired/serviced my own laundry equipment. My Kitchenaid and Whirlpool TL washers and dryers lasted 20 to 25 years and were replaced when I moved or when the washer finally rusted at the top of the inner tub. Nine months ago I sold the TL washer and dryer that were in excellent condition and purchased a Speed Queen FL washer and dryer. I hoped to save water, electricity, detergent and most importantly clothing wear and tear. I recognized a better built product when I saw it. If you take the units apart and you will observe commercial quality components without the fancy options. I do not need fancy options to clean laundry. Based on my observations with the FL washer and dryer, Speed Queen is not cheapening their products by substituting plastic for metal. After researching the issues, I placed my money with Speed Queen and I expect reliable and long lasting products. How many manufacturers use a stainless steel outer tub? Have you heard of mildew/mold problems with Speed Queen equipment including those abused at Commercial Laundromats? In addition, the size the FL is fine for my family of four. The FL gets the clothes clean without needing long cycle times. The dryer dries quickly and its moisture sensor works better than the one I had in a Kitchenaid dryer. In my opinion, Speed Queen marketing could be significantly improved to allow better public access to their products. Seeing, touching, inspecting, and comparing products would allow the consumer to make an informed decision based on component quality, reliability, warranty, price, cabinet size and energy efficiency. Speed Queen designer colors consist of stainless steel and white. Speed Queen can not compete based on initial cost or fancy features. If consumer priority is based on cost over a 20 year period, Speed Queen is very competitive. As the size war (interior volume) continues in the home washing machine market, consumers need to ask themselves how big is big enough for thier use and space allocated for laundry equipment. Speed Queen has years of experience in the commercial laundry business, but only markets one size washer (either FL or TL) for the home consumer market.

I started with a custom designer's rough plan for my space by paying for a two hour consult to pick her brain. I then shopped KDs at Home Depots in my area to find a KD who not only sold cabinet layouts but had worked in construction, preferably cabinet building and installation. I asked the other KDs, "who is your best KD?" I found Bill O'Connor, CKD at Lane Ave. HD, Jacksonville, Fl. who was terrific. He tweaked the plans and I ordered Piermont painted ("canvas") maple on 1/20/08 and they were installed 2/20/08. I have a 1924 home and wanted that classic, raised panel look. I have not yet found any problems. The installation crew will be back in mid-March after granite is done to install some tambours and do all the "touch up" work. The HD expediter came to house the day the cabs were delivered to inspect, then returned the next day to talk to installers about the plans. There are often "unadvertised specials" that pop up at HD, so get your kitchen planned then ask your HD KD to find you a deal. I got one that was good for only 3 days, ten percent off entire order and you had to have been measured already. I also got a $450. gift card. If you buy HD's install package, there is no tax charged on the WHOLE order. I can see that the quality is not as high end as my neighbor's all-custom kitchen but I did not have her high end budget, and my kitchen is turning out quite well. I think Kraftmaid can be a very good deal for a moderate budget. Make friends with the HD expediter in case you need them to fix glitches.

The Kitchen Place, Kraftmaid all plywood Sonata Maple in Canvas Suede. A Kraftmaid rep did come to our home to see the issues and in response stated, "in relation to the cabinet boxes with the thin paint finish the best way to remedy that issue will be to install decoratvie panels and use touch up paint for any areas the panels will not cover." Masco mailed us a can of spray paint which stated on the instuctions that is was only to be applied wearing appropriate protective breathing apperatus in well ventilated area. Difficult as the cabinets were already installed. I will try to post photos of chipped door edges tomorrow for you. www.kitchenreviews.com/cabinets/reviews/kraftmaid/ There are reviews for 2019 here and most express the same problems.

Cherry was actually a compromise too. The intent wasn’t luxury, we just had trouble finding a medium stained wood that wasn’t honey tone. This was something we could both agree on… but it didn’t look stripey in the store. I only saw Diamond allude to this, not KraftMaid, and had hoped it was different. Apparently not so. Budget-wise… well for cabinets and countertop (coincidentally?) 28 is our high end, with other funds for paint and flooring. The budget started with an insurance payment. There was a drain problem in the kitchen that caused damage to the cabinets and got under the tile a bit. The cabinets are 40 yr old builder grade and not able to be matched. The flooring is tile and only damaged in a small area but continuous throughout most of the house- again, cheap stuff but something we liked. We felt we would rather have slightly better quality permanent kitchen items and a look we enjoy there than use funds to tear up a large amount of tile we were okay with and replace it with cheap stuff we liked less, while still going cheap with the kitchen too. Reallocation of funds definitely. Not the most overall fluid of designs but a better base for the long term items and room to grow for the rest of things. A lot of people pay extra to upgrade everything all at once but a big loan just isn’t right for us. We’re not going anywhere so we have a little more time and effort than money in the moment. Add that all up and that’s how we ended up with semi custom at Lowes with paint on the side. (Appliances were new before the water damage.) Although I have been thinking about demo, containment, cleanup, and other bits, it is true when you say that you don’t know what you don’t know and there still could be factors I’m missing. Do you not think that there’s a scenario where a homeowner could save or at least reallocate a bit by being a little more hands on? $750 is small compared to the overall budget, for example, but will pay for a decent sink. I like where you’re going latifolia. Reallocating funds is exactly what we intend and we’re trying to think long term options. In terms of forum etiquette for posting the layout, do I do that here or in a new thread? Also, please don’t laugh too hard… what does “DH” stand for? Every time I see it I read it as a term of endearment, “Dear Husband”, which mostly fits in the conversations, but seems unlikely that I am correct.