So it is unrealistic to know what you are paying before you basically agree to buy with someone? I have an estimate right now for my exact layout from one place, but he doesn't seem to want to give me a quote for another line, other than it would be 20% more. Which is fine, I can do the math myself (about $8,600 for Medallion Gold), just as long as it really is close to 20%. The thing is, I know I don't want to keep things exactly as they are. I need mostly drawers rather than regular cabinet bases, which I know is more expensive. The current oven and microwave are also currently smaller than anything on the market, so I would need to make space for regular sized ones, either by extending the cooktop peninsula next to them or moving the refrigerator on the other side of them to the other wall. Either way, this is adding expenses that probably have not been accounted for in this bid. Sometimes he seems super easygoing and other times I feel like I am bothering him when I ask questions (which may be just different communication styles as well). I do understand his time is valuable, and I don't want to waste it, but he never asked for any kind of fee or retainer for work and I can't just sign on the dotted line when I don't know if there are thousands of dollars of changes needing to be made. I did call another place because they have Diamond Cabinetry, which I have also heard is a good midlevel brand, and since I was feeling a bit uncomfortable with how the interaction was going with the guy at the other place. They have been so friendly and patient every time I have had any interaction with them. They also came out and measured and are even going to do a couple different designs and go over them with me. When they gave me a ballpark though, it was 10-15k, which I don't think is unreasonable, just after hearing under 9k, 15k is tough, especially considering this reno was not planned and we have a lot of other expenses right now, so 6k does make a difference. That 9k might be a big illusion though, since I think he was basing it on what is in place currently, but I'm not sure because I have gotten to the point where I am worried I am asking him too many questions. For a big budget, a 2-5k difference might not really matter, but for us right now it does.

uh, I'd keep looking. that fireplace presumably has a chimney that continues up through the roof (and any floors in between) and could be tied into overall structure. changes here are many (tens of) thousands of dollars before you pull out any walls or replace the required flooring... as for pantry, a walk-in requires reworking the whole floorplan. it looks like you have plenty of cabinetry here, including a bank of tall (presumably pantry?) cabinets in the hall facing the kitchen. I'm not sure I'd invest what it would cost to make the pantry enclosed or what it would do to the kitchen layout. it's best to live with a kitchen for a year or two before doing a huge overhaul, as often you find out you like and dislike different things than you might have expected. this looks like a nice layout, but if it isn't scratching your itch, keep looking until you find one with bones you really like.

Thank you all! Unbelievable how difficult this is! I've never heard of the Signature line. LG makes this? Do I understand correctly? I'm not thrilled to drop $25 grand on appliances but if I could be guaranteed on their performance I'd feel a whole lot better. Unfortunately, it is hard to go by reviews- there's always someone who has a problem and regrets their purchase. I think I'm ok with the SZ (maybe, lol) Its the range that I'm having a hard time with. I always thought it was the superior to all but then there's the folks who have had nothing but problems and hate it. In fact, I just heard a story today of someone local who has had nothing but trouble. These stories make me weary. I'm also not sold on Asko. I do think it's between that and a Bosch though. One showroom only sells Asko- another only sells Bosch. I also never fully take a salespersons word.

I think I got it up now... thanks! Still trying to post my current kitchen photos.... we live in the middle of nowhere so internet service is sketchy at best!