Hi. I am in the Minneapolis area (close to lake Minnetonka). Just to clarify a few points: - We designed the plan together and did many revisions until I was happy with the plants and layout. - I did not pay for the plan, however, if we did not proceed with it it would cost $500. - I request all "mature" plants because due to jobs we never stay in a house long enough to see them grow - we always build new house and when is time to relocate we start all over, hence why I am always interested in "instant effect". - I cannot do this myself due to a temporary health condition, so going forward next year maintenance shouldn't be a problem although we both work about 12 hrs/day. - The company has a garden center and I personally saw the plants & size selection. - Please note that on a new construction the soil is everything but good soil, mainly concrete, sand, paint, nails. They will be ammending all these as well. - Forgot to mention that they will be doing an area with marble chips and stepping stones outside the basement. - Don't forget that they will be moving 9 gutter downspots, replacing them with drain tile and diverting away from the house, some places as far as 30ft. Talking to my builder (landscape firm completely separated from him) he said that houses this size in this area for a landscape project like mine he usually pays around 30K and has paid as much as 100K. All of a sudden 20K does not sound so bad... I've moved from Arkansas where labor is incredibly CHEAPER and hence why I posted the question.

I would mount the telly on an articulating arm underneath the upper cabinet closest to the dining table. Most likely you will need to attach it to a stud. Hopefully you could make the edge of the telly flush with the end of the cabinet/counter. Using an arm will allow you to pivot the telly toward the DR table, the island or the sink. And then you can fold it flat against the wall for a more streamline look when not in use. With this arrangement, you might have to move the radio/speakers. As mentioned by another commenter/s, I would love to see a general breakdown of cost. Lovely kitchen. Enjoy it in good health!

junicb, Yes, that included the new doors and windows. I was very anal and kept track of every cent on Excel. Here is my list According to my bank account...I don't have everything listed...but it's pretty darn close!! My husband did all demo, plumbing, electric, floor and cabinets. I painted and did back-splash (today!) We saved so much money doing that ourselves. The things DH isn't good at we hired out for that. All trim work, hanging the sheet rock and spakling. So glad we did cause the kitchen still wouldn't be done yet!! We hired someone to install doors and windows, we had 26 windows and 3 exterior doors installed so I just took a percentage of what the total installation was. Slider $1350 (Anderson) Exterior door 125 (Jeldwen) Interior door 75 (Jeldwen) Window 380 (Trimline) Installation of slider exterior door and window - 600 Labor for sheetrock, spackle, crown, all trim 2000 Cabinets 4044 (American Woodmark) Granite Countertops 1860 Backsplash 200 (American Olean) Fridge 900 (Whirlpool) Range 648 (Fridgadare) Dishwasher 590 (Maytag) Microwave 200 (Maytag) Sink and Flange 250 (Kohler) grates for sink 75 Garbage disposer 200 (Insinkerator septic assist) Faucet 210 (Moen) Knobs and Pulls 24 (Great Outdoors was going out of business, 90% off!) Flooring 1300 (Shaw Laminate) Crown, trim, base moulding 440 Recessed lighting & blubs 184 lighting - undercounter 291 (Kitchler) Stove fan 75 (Braun) paint & stain 80 Material for pointing stone outside of house 75 Material for walls, beams, subfloor, concrete, insulation, plumbing, electric, plus many other trips to supply house and HD. $1800 Garbage pull out 92 (Rev-a-shelf) New pots for new stove 150

A fellow Pittsburgher here - over in the North Hills. And wow - your project sounds rather similar to ours - 1950's house, removing the DR/kitchen wall, getting rid of bulkheads, etc. For the health of our marriage, we are not DIY people either - better to get someone else in who can do it for us...remodels are stressful enough, would rather someone else to have to be upset with if things need fixed! Quotes for us have been ALL over the place. We thought that we had someone lined up and he disappeared off the face of the Earth! So, we're looking again. We're looking for custom cabinets because of some of the special things we want and prices for those have ranged from low 20's to around 50k - plywood, full overlay, frameless, dark stained cherry, Shaker, almost all drawers, Blum hardware - full extension, soft close....but we are going to have a load of cabinets and we're having a custom banquette built also...so, our cabinetry is pretty extensive. We're having a tough time coming up with a GC right now, but just got a quote from the guy who has done some general "handyman" work for us and we trust in him. His quote didn't include the install of the cabinets and is not inclusive of materials (he bills us at cost - picks up what we need at Home Depot or wherever)...but is tear out of old kitchen, demo of the wall, repair of the ceiling, electrical wiring, installation of two replacement windows, install vent and damper for exhaust fan, etc. and we're around 6k. But again, this isn't including the install of the cabinets and doesn't include materials costs. As others have mentioned, don't skimp on lighting. As much as I hate my current kitchen, if I had adequate lighting, it would make it much easier to work in the kitchen. Lighting can be decorative in nature, but in a kitchen it really is about making it truly functional. The value of your home is a bit higher than the value of ours and we will be putting more money into our kitchen than you are. BUT, the kitchen is going to be a very usable space for us - one that I will spend significant time in because I enjoy cooking. We are likely over-improving and wouldn't recoup our money. If we were planning on selling in the near future, we would modify our plans greatly. However, we are very happy where we are located - quiet neighborhood, easy access to major highways, and a nice piece of ground...the previous owners were the original owners (house built in the 1950's) and we absolutely know why they never moved - we have a treasure. Seeing as our plans are to stay here, we want things to be how we would like them rather than stick within numbers of what others feel is appropriate to put into a remodel of a house in our price range. What I'm saying is - if this is a longer term home for you, and you have the means, get what will make you happy to have long term. If you get the laminate countertop now, is that what you are keeping or will you want to replace in in two years or so when the honeymoon of having a new kitchen has worn off. If that's likely, then you will have paid twice for something. So, be honest too with yourself on where you've decided to cut back...if you can honestly say you can do it and be happy, then by all means, do so. But, if there's even the slightest suspicion that you will long for what you originally were planning, you may benefit yourself in modifying your overall budget, IMO.