First Big Step is Done

Well, I've gotten past the first big hurdle in the kitchen remodeling. I have now been to both Lowes and Home Depot and talked to someone about my remodeling project.

The first stop was at Lowes. I had all my kitchen measurements and the lady there helped plug them all into the computer and showed me the various choices. Picked out the type of cabinets and type of countertops and discussed all the options available. I went through and told her all the details I wanted to include and requests I had. When it was all said and done, the price was actually less than I anticipated.

The cabinets were $3250, plus another $2000 for installation. The countertop was some kind of special they had on a certain brand that was cheaper, and it was $1200 including installation. Part of this project would include a new sink, which would add another $215 or so, plus another $250 to install it. There would also be a $300 plumbing charge to fix all the pipe junk with the sink. That totals out to be $7215 for that part of the project. A new stove would be around $400 and the microwave $300 - so there's another $700, which takes the total to right about $8000. Then there is the flooring, which would be roughly ?????? As with any projects like this, there are bound to be extra incidentals that you don't anticipate, and things not yet included (hardware for the cabinets), so I figure on $9000 total to go through Lowes. That doesn't include an option to downgrade on the type of cabinets and possibly save a little more money.

The next stop was Home Depot. They do things a little different, in that they do a more general bid with less details, but still a chance to get a good idea on prices. I went with the less expensive option on cabinets from the start - without sacrificing on the look of the cabinets. The "quick quote" as they call it there, was for $2400 for the cabinets - but oddly enough they couldn't give me a very definitive answer on install price. Or maybe that $2400 included installation? There's question number one to call and double check on tomorrow. It's amazing how many details like that you seem to forget, whether its a minor one or a major one - like knowing if the price includes installation. Kind of a big deal. I thought she said another $2000 for installation as a rough estimate. For countertops, it was $2280 for the granite countertop with installation - that part of the installation pricing I do remember. That brings the big portion of the project total to $4280. Add in the cost for the stove and microwave, another $700, similar to Lowe's. The flooring was not very detailed as far as costs, with a rough quote being $1000-$1500, so I'll figure on the $1500 to aim on the high end. The sink, faucet, that sort of thing would cost roughly $500. All of those totals add up to $7380 - assuming the cabinet installation is included in the $2400. Pretty big detail I think. Definitely calling tomorrow to double check. Again, accounting for extra stuff (plumbing stuff for new sink, hardware, etc), another $1000 would be roughly $8500.

Really, the costs were pretty close to being the same. One of the big differences was the countertops. Lowe's had a special deal on their granite countertop, which made the cost of that a lot cheaper than Home Depot. But, I also liked the one at home depot better. That special deal at Lowe's was only on that one color/type, and it was a little too dark for me. The cabinets at Home Depot were cheaper too, but I actually liked them a little better than the ones at Lowe's as well.

Initial thoughts were to side with Home Depot. I liked the cabinets better and definitely liked the countertop better. And pricing was pretty comparable, so no real big difference there.

I now have an idea of how much it would cost for this project, which was right in line with what I was thinking. I had in my mind $10,000, so it hits within the price range I had in mind. The goal now will be making sure those little incidental costs don't get out of control, and where I can cut corners. Not in terms of quality, but in saving price. Do I know someone who can help with the plumbing install after getting the new sink? Do I know someone who can install the ceramic tile flooring and save a ton in costs there? All questions I need to check on to try and save a little money. And of course doing this without taking advantage of friends willing to help.

So there you have it. That step of the project is now done. Now the bigger part - making the final decision (insert dark, tense music theme here). This involves having someone other than the sales person tell me that the colors match, because anyone who knows me knows that I cannot match colors on anything. Just ask my sister.