Cabinet Sticker Shock - January 5, 2013

The Menard's kitchen team put together a cabinet list, based on the designs I showed in my prior post (main view here). 

The first project quote for a total of nine (9) base cabinets, eleven (11) upper cabinets and a 15" wide pantry, with the upgrade for the Parker Whiskey Black finish (+15%), Ellington Stained Glass inserts (in pantry/table area and over sink), matched stained interiors and five piece drawer fronts, with an estimated delivery date about 2-3 weeks out.  OK, drum roll please, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr:

$10,566.18 

Yes, note this cabinet total is $566 over my ENTIRE kitchen remodeling budget, just for the 'non-custom' SALE cabinets, including a 'free' sink base....OUCH!

Needless to say, I reviewed the cabinet options and add-ons and made several trips back to the store in the coming days, and after three attempts, I was able to get my budget down to a more 'modest' $8,800, but still way over my plan for the cabinets (estimated around $5,000 of my $10,000 total).

Next, I made a side-trip back to Lowe's, explaining my situation, and asking their kitchen designer's advice regarding a similar line that might be more cost-effective.  She worked off my revised cabinet listing and priced my kitchen using the Shenandoah line using their Winchester Cherry Square cabinet door, cherry wood overlay doors in a Spice finish.  Lowe's had a combination of a 'tiered' discount off kitchen cabinets through January (10% off) plus free internal cabinet upgrades and sink base (about $1,000), but a more lengthy 4-6 week deliver timing, for a total of, drum roll please...

$7,759.54

Yes, still almost $3K over my budget!

O.K., now I spent several sleepless/deprived nights feeling sick to my stomach....wanting to start this project, yet not feeling good about compromising down to stock cabinets.  Thinking there's got to be something between stock cabinets at Lowe's and Home Depot, with their particle board boxes, and no 'fun' features or finishes (probably costing about $3K) and these Menard's and Lowe's options at $8K+.  Where are the well-made $5K cabinets, that are in line with my budget???!!!

Stay tuned, as I actually found my answer...Cabinets-To-Go!

New Kitchen Planning - Early January 2013

 

 As I mentioned in my first post, we had planned to remodel our circa 1974 kitchen since we moved in last February.  During December and early January, I worked on layout ideas that would allow us to open up our kitchen to our large L-shaped Dining Room/Living Room and to the front of the house.  It was also a priority to get rid of the old soffit/drop ceiling lighting that made the main kitchen area ceiling only 7' tall, instead of 8' tall.  My planned budget was to keep the total materials and paid labor costs under $10,000 including new cabinets, countertop and appliances, as well as updated electrical and plumbing work.


Our current cabinet/appliance layout looks like this on paper, with a picture of the current working half of the kitchen.



The things I don't like about my current kitchen (besides the obvious cabinets, worn-out formica counters, avocado green sink and black appliances) that I want to change include:

• Drop ceiling and lighting
• Closed-off/dark main kitchen (no window)
• Base corner cabinets (called blind-end) which are impossible to get into and even see what's stored in them
• Cabinets that run all the way up to the soffit/ceiling

I went to Menard's, based on the recommendation of a friend who recently re-did his kitchen using their Medallion line, which offered some custom features, without 'custom' cabinet pricing.  I was looking for natural wood cabinets (light/medium cherry color), and to get some of the upgraded cabinet features from our last kitchen remodel.  We used Lowe's stock natural maple cabinets (American Woodmark), with a few special order cabinets.  After reviewing the cabinet displays at Menard's we decided we liked the Schrock line, which was on sale through mid-January.  The line had the full overlay hardwood doors, soft close hinges and dovetail drawers.  We really liked the Parker door style with a custom finish called Whiskey Black.

 

 
 
 
I worked with the kitchen designer at Menard's to come up with cabinet layout, to allow us to add an opening into the dining room area (over stove on right hand wall shown below, by rearranging the refrigerator and range to opposite walls from their current placement.  New views are shown here.

Stay tuned for the next updates in a day or so...

Best,
Marianne