Which fully-integrated refrigerator are you talking about?

Monogram column refrigerator

I can’t imagine that’s true. The panels for my Sub Zero 42” FD fridge were $1,700. While I know the GE Monogram costs much less than a SZ, it doesn’t cost THAT much less.

@darbuka $1,700 for fridge and freezer or just a refrigerator

French door fridge/freezer combo.

I think the Monogram column fridge is in the $6500-7000 price range. So you are saying the cabinet panel will cost more than that? What is your cabinetry made of? A rare veneer? Even then, something is incorrect or got lost in translation. You could also just put the Monogram stainless steel door on for $700.

I remodeled my last kitchen about 3 years ago and didn't have a breakdown for individual components, but when the wolf/SZ installers were installing the panels on the integrated columns, they messed up and drilled the holes for the freezer appliance pull on the wrong side. The guy was mortified and said he hadn't made a mistake like that in 8 years. I had to order a new full height panel for the 24" freezer and I was expecting some crazy price, specially as I has used Wood-mode mahogany cabinets. The panel was less than $400 and the installer paid for the replacement. So the cost of my panels was a small percentage of the cost of the SZ fridges.

The cabinet panels for that model can easily be 2-3k depending what your finish is. It's always less expensive to go with the stainless version.

I was quoted almost $7500 for panels for the column refrigerator and freezer and almost $2500 for an under counter refrigerator that costs $2900. I would expect the panels to be maybe a couple thousand all together. Not over 10k.

And we are currently using medallion cabinets in our design

Correction - quoted $7,900 for panels for column refrigerator and freezer

That’s a total ripoff for vastly inferior refrigeration. I’d sooner put those $$$ towards SZ, where you’ll be paying for superior appliances, and the best customer service in the business…instead of being overcharged to dress up your GE fridge and freezer.

I agree!

No idea what my panels for my fridge and freezer cost, but I can assure you it was less than my fridge and freezer columns. A fraction of the cost, and we have a 36” SZ fridge column and 36” SZ freezer column.

I agree with @darbuka, I’d rather use that money for a SZ!

I’m going to push back today on the quote, we will see the explanation.

Monogram is great, every bit as good as sub zero. Their service is better in my opinion. But someone is charging way too much for those panels.

My refrigerator panels are generally between $2k-$4k, depending on the size of the refrigerator. If they are including the cost of columns on either side, it could potentially double this cost.

$2-4k per panel seems like price gouging to me.

Sorry @Colorado Kitchen Designs Monogram is not in the same league as SZ.

To the OP, I agree with Darbuka. For that price forgo the panels and get a SZ.

@Caroline Hamilton we can agree to disagree on that. Monogram is great and less expensive. Its not the same as GE, its a whole different animal. Many people just go to subzero because they dont know any better and think it is the best due to brand recognition. They have been around a long time but I know more clients that have had trouble with their subzeros over any other brand.

We can agree to disagree but I stand by my statement. The SZ is a superior product. Only the Sub-Zero has two compressors and an air purification system that removes ethylene produced by fruits and vegetables. This air purification system scrubs the air of ethylene and odor every 20 minutes. Produce literally last weeks, you will throw it out before it spoils. The seals on SZ doors are so secure that there is no thawing of frozen foods or melting of ice after multi-day power outages. I have experienced this first hand! Sub-Zero is made in the United States and is still family owned. Monogram is Chinese owned and made. Monograms are "smart" and wi-fi enabled which is not a feature I look for in a refrigerator and IMO just one more thing that can break.

"Its not the same as GE, its a whole different animal."

Nope. Monogram compressor, evaporator and other inner mechanicals are the same as a GE Cafe fridge, is manufactured by GE, just more glamorous exterior and better shelving and drawers, and ability to be integrated. (Edited to add: the Subzero fridge has two compressors, the Monogram does not)

@Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. $2-4 for both makes more sense - especially if they are customized with a unique design and/or material. Thank you for the clarification. I just wouldn't put a Medallion cabinet panel at the same level as a solid wood, customized piece.

“Many people just go to subzero because they dont know any better and think it is the best due to brand recognition.”

“I know more clients that have had trouble with their subzeros over any other brand.”

@Colorado Kitchen Designs…If you’re a pro and are saying this, I wouldn't go near you with a ten foot pole.

I have 36 years of experience with SZ. My first one was still going strong at 25yo, when we sold our former home. Were there some repairs over those 25 years? Of course…but with two exeptions, all repairs were done by my husband.

All he had to do was call Sub Zero, describe the issue, and they’d tell him what part was needed. DH then drove 20 mins to the nearby SZ distributor, pay (on average) $30-$50 for the part, and drive home. The SZ phone rep then walked DH through the repair. Easy peasy, and no money paid out to a repairman. Try doing that with a GE Monogram.

When Hurricane Sandy hit Long Island in 2012, we were without power for two weeks. That old SZ, with its superior insulation and seals, stayed cold for 9 days. Even the ice was still firm! Everyone else in our neighborhood who had other brand fridges, were throwing out the contents at the end of the second day.

We moved in 2016, and in the renovated kitchen, we put in a SZ 42” FD fridge. It was a no brainer to purchase another SZ. This fridge is now almost 6 years old…purring along without any issues. I fully expect this SZ to last as long as the last one, perhaps longer than this senior citizen has left on this earth. Sub Zeros are well worth the money, and far superior to any other brand.

P. S. As for those other brands who you claim have fewer problems than SZ…talk to people who have owned Samsung fridges...to name one brand. I know of noone who couldn’t wait to get rid of theirs. Problematic in door ice/water issues, condenser issues. Loads of threads here of complaints of their fridges not being cold enough, or veggies freezing in the bins…from several different brands.

Edited to add: Everything that @Caroline Hamilton, and @Shannon_WI said said above, is spot on.

SZ is, and has always been, the inovator in refrigeration.

I do not recommend Samsung appliances for the same reason. There is nothing wrong with SubZero. Because of the two compressors, it is more energy-efficient. However, I would not say that they are superior to Monogram. I work with a lot of Monogram appliances and have one myself. I had one small issue with mine and they connected me to a technician who was out to fix it within a week, no questions asked and no cost. I have a client who had a 20 year old subzero who after many months of going back and for with the rep and manufacture was eventually able to get a new fridge at a discounted rate. I feel you get more for your money with Monogram but everyone has their own experiences. In this case, I would question the cost of those panels. I just priced them out for someone in a painted finish and they were $2800. If your finish is very elaborate, I could understand they may cost a bit more but I cant imagine getting up to the range they are quoting you. Good luck to you, as you can see people have different opinions based on their individual experiences.

$2800 for one panel or two?

I went to a cabinet maker and he charged me $800 for custom cherry panels that match my cabinets. He was an older guy - who knew cabinet making well. They match beautifully.

and to Caroline, who apparently has drunk the Kool-aid from SZ, I will be shocked if you have a Subzero that is older than 5 years old and have not had to pour multiple thousands of dollars into it to keep it running. In my experience, they cost as much to maintain as they do to buy. Never again for me. Friends had one for over 20 years with few problems, but the current company is just living off the old reputation. They need to hurry up and go out of business They use boards inside from China and Malaysia too. And yes, these fail. Only they cost 5X as much to replace when they fail as a Monogram does. Filtered air! HA! When is the last time they "changed the air filter" on your fridge Caroline? And how much did that cost you? There is one born every minute.

“and to Caroline, who apparently has drunk the Kool-aid from SZ, I will be shocked if you have a Subzero that is older than 5 years old and have not had to pour multiple thousands of dollars into it to keep it running.”

@Chili Bean…Kool Aid, you say? Everything @Caroline Hamilton said is spot on, Perhaps all you read was her post, and skipped the others. But, as I said in my post above ^^^, I have 36 years of experience with SZ. My second SZ fridge, now almost 6 years old, has never needed a repair. It’s running as well now, as it did day of install.

Again, if you read my post, you’ll learn that should the fridge have an issue, you just call SZ, describe the problem…the phone rep will tell you what part is needed. If a SZ distributor is near you, you can pick up the part…usually costing between $30-$60. After that, the phone rep will talk you through the repair. Other than a wonky condenser, most repairs can be done by the homeowner for nominal cost.

You may think you know what you’re talking about, but your ignorance shows when you make a ridiculous statement saying ”They need to hurry up and go out of business.”

Was very happy with the SZ I put in my previous house and plan to install another SZ in the next house.

@Chili Bean has all of 6 posts and all of them are complaints about SZ ... sounds like a disgruntled competitor!

Sorry to disappoint @Chili Bean both of my Sub Zeros are over 7 years old and have never needed any type of repairs. My husband and I are not the type of people who would spend money for a “prestige” brand for the sake of the label. We will pay for high quality products that perform. And Sub Zero has performed beyond our expectations. Produce lasts for weeks, far beyond any fridge i have ever owned . We had a multi day power outage and not only did the frozen food not thaw, but the ice in the freezer did not melt. I stand by my statements. Sub Zero is the best in class in refrigeration.

I have a 1997 (24yo) KitchenAid, no repairs thus far unless one (DIY) replacement of the freezer light counts as a repair. :-)

I agree with Caroline, Chispa, Shannon, and Darbuka.

@Michelle Caruso for 2

Does the price of $2-4k also include the installation or is that separate?

@Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc.

Just FYI if I remember correctly our panels for Monogram columns were about $500 each.

My opinion on Monogram and Subzero... I have both (one in each residence). I got my Monogram columns on closeout so it was a great deal on a slightly inferior product. The Subzero is a bit better product and well worth a couple of thousand extra. It's just too bad I paid way more than a couple thousand extra.

I jokingly, but also seriously, tell people that my Subzero is the best $10,000 I ever spent $16,000 on. Having said that Subzero would be my brand to beat, but it could be beat at the right price.

Does the price of $2-4k also include the installation or is that separate?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I sell/specify a number of lines and the price I gave is average. The final cost will depend on the brand, size, design, wood species, finish, installation, etc. It's almost impossible to do an apples-to-apples price comparison of custom cabinetry.

I just received quote for wood panels for 1 fridge and 1 freezer Thermador towers. Total price is $8500, for painted panels. Thats just plain nuts to me.

That is absolutely ridiculous. We decided against panels for that reason AND they want to charge 4K for a flush installation from the cabinet company 🙄

You have to do custom depth panels and cabinets to do flush inset install, so that’s easily 4K for those changes. $8500 for panels though, is steep.

But almost brand other than SZ is a huge PIA to panel, and will be double the cost of the SZ labor. Theres a reason SZ is an industry favorite. Its built to work, and be serviced. And its built with standard cabinet making options in mind. Never ever get a paneled Monogram. Its a utter nightmare.

I have Gaggenau appliances and it was $1,500 to panel the 24" dishwasher and the 30" refirgerator with acrylic. Thats with the labor of installing them and having them custom made. It doesnt hurt to shop around and get different quotes because I was given a quote as high as $5,500.