Minor upgrades to increase functionality and value.
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Charming Kitchen - Minor or Major upgrade?
Comments (19)Christy, I am in the same position with only two of us at home now and our kitchen remodel is almost 15 years old, and starting to look tired. So I have already decided to just refresh. IâÂÂve already started updating the stove and replaced an older refrigerator, kept the same sink but replaced the faucet. My counters still look very good and IâÂÂm happy with them. I need to do a little painting and the hardwood floor needs refinishing again. I want to replace all my kitchen stools. ThatâÂÂs about all IâÂÂm planning because I have other renovations I need more, like the bathroom. I am surprised that the minor remodel will cost that much too. Did you say that the $30,000. included switching over from oil heat to gas? I just wonder how much of that cost was all kitchen update? If you have only gotten one estimate, I wouldnâÂÂt hesitate to get a couple more estimates. Even if you are committed to the contractor you got the first estimate from, you might want to know if there is a big difference between what he is charging in comparison. If you have a list of definite jobs that you know you want to have done, you might want to see if you can get a lower price, because you would probably feel a lot better about the update. I wish I could help more about costs, but I am the least able to do that. IâÂÂve only done the one remodel 15 years ago and I have no idea what anything costs any more. To me, it sounds like a lot, but maybe some more experienced members can give you a better idea. Maybe have whoever gave you the estimate break it down for you, how much each part of the job will cost....See MoreWill this improve the value of my home?
Comments (16)Dazlemewithcolor- Everyone has some really great comments for you on this thread, and I especially like Kompy's remarks - very on track.... You prolly already can guess what I would say - with a screen name like AZ Stone Consulting - What??? I'm supposed to say "Keep the Laminate for crying out loud"??? OF COURSE I am going to recommend SLAB GRANITE !!! HA!!!! Seriously - I think it will greatly depend on where your home is located, and your present comps. IF you are in a more real estate stable market area (unlike Phoenix, Las Vegas or South Florida) you'll prolly be able to have some flexability in doing what you WANT to , and getting your money back out of your home. Remember this though - the same people that look at YOUR home, will have looked at others that either had MORE or less to offer THEM... AND THEN they'll look at some more homes - How WELL will YOUR home stick in THEIR minds - On the "Houses We REALLY WOULD MAKE AN OFFER ON" side??? That's the "money" question at the end of the day....... (sorry for the cliche') How bad do you want to sell? How much are you willing to spend in terms of getting your home sold? My vote: 1. Keep the cabinets as is IF they are in good shape - DO NOT paint them 2. Look for PRE-FABRICATED Granite Slabs - IF your kitchen layout lends itself to using pre-fabbed blanks - you just might be surprised at what you'll be able to get accomplished. Many Fabricators are starting to offer Pre-Fabs as a money saving alternative to a full-on slab job. HTH kevin Kevin M. Padden AZ School of Rock Natural Stone 101...See MoreDetermining insurance value
Comments (46)Thanks again everyone. So here's my update. I had no luck getting In touch with the agent we had used originally, and wasn't willing to drag my two kids along to go to the office. So I passes the issue off to dh who walked into the office without an appointment and asked to speak to someone. ( he makes a good squeaky wheel lol). The agent I had been dealing with was not available so he got someone else. She gave him the same song and dance about "a cabinet is a cabinet, a door is a door" etc. except having looked closely at our policy we knew we were covered for the option of "similar construction" for replacement cost, not standard construction. (It's extra). So, he pulled out receipts and photos etc. finally she agreed to open up the software they use, and spent 20 minutes with him going over the details of the house and the material used. That brought the replacement value up $60,000 (as opposed to the original $17,000). Quite a difference. We will be photographing and storing receipts just in case. So, the moral of the story, your agent should be thou rough, not lazy. Know your policy. And make noise if needed. Thanks again for all the advice!...See Morenew house - upgrade cabinets from builder or upgrade later
Comments (20)It is likely going to cost you far more than $5,000 to change cabinets out later. It will also be a hassle after moving into a new place to rip out old ones, find new ones that fit the old boxes (if you do/can keep boxes...if you can’t, add a lot more than $5,000), what happens if there is damage to boxes or backsplash or counter during - lol, add another few thousand dollars! Add labour costs if you are hiring labour too. Soft close on drawers I would do during the build. Soft close on cabinets you can easily add yourself after closing if you want, depends how much builder is charging for that line item if worth it to you. Another factor to consider might be whether you can roll that $5,000 into mortgage or it will be cash out of pocket. If $5,000 will get you what you really want now, then go for it. But if you are going to be compromising even going with the $5,000 upgrade, stick with the “included cabinets” and save your pennies for new cabinets later on. Down the road later on. I can’t tell you if that $5,000 is really that high or not. They don’t warehouse cabinets - they order them at a certain timeline in build, but the builder would have priced out package based on their “standards” where they also usually get bulk discounts as they use them in most homes they build. Yours are a special request upgrade not factored into their pricing. If $5,000 is reasonable or unreasonable really all depends on what the quality differences are, how much cabinetry you have, etc. Cabinets are expensive. Shaker (painted MDF) were standard with my builder which was fine as it is what I wanted and am happy with their manufacturer and construction. But I added a tall pantry cabinet and that was about $2200 CAD. Soft close for drawers (I think ~20 drawers in house) was $270 CAD. Soft close on cabinets (~28 in house) was $400 CAD. It was worth it to us to have it done for close rather than do it after....See MoreRelated Professionals
Indianapolis Custom Closet Designers · St. Louis Custom Closet Designers · Kaysville Home Builders · Palmetto Bay Carpenters · Saint Peters Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Calverton Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Fort Washington Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Alhambra General Contractors · Country Club Hills General Contractors · West Lafayette General Contractors · Avon Lake General Contractors · Clarksville General Contractors · Country Club Hills General Contractors · Natchitoches General Contractors · Spencer General Contractors- last month
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