Big Dreams, Small Budget. Now What?

Made with Xara

Ask the Kitchen Lady

You’ve thought about it a long time. Color, style, features--you are ready for your new kitchen, a kitchen that makes you happy. But you worry. Are your dreams just too grand and your budget just too unrealistic? So when the designer asks: “How much were you planning to spend on your kitchen cabinetry?” do you hesitate to answer because... A) You are concerned that your expectations exceed your finances and that the designer will view your project as unachievable (unprofitable) and politely decline the opportunity? Or because... B) You fear the opposite—that your budget actually exceeds what is required and revealing it will result in your paying more for your kitchen than you should? So when asked for a budget you may answer: “Well, we really haven’t set a firm number on it.” And then you inquire, “Can you ballpark what my cabinetry will cost?” (“Sure. Anywhere from $5,000 to $250,000, maybe lower, maybe higher.”) Simply stated: Sharing your financial commitment and your goals honestly and openly is generally a good idea and avoids game playing. But if you have proceeded to complete the design and estimate and are now suffering from “sticker shock,” let me help you out by suggesting some reasonable compromises in your cabinetry to perhaps reduce your cost and keep your budget affordable. • Choose a fiberboard cabinet interior jacketed in melamine (usually white or maple) instead of plywood. Most of the high-end European brands have this construction. • Select base cabinets with a drawer and door format instead of cabinets with 3 or 4 drawers. Eliminating some of the drawer glides and drawer fronts will help bring down the cost. • Stick to standard colors and stains offered. Avoid brushed finishes and custom colors. • Try open shelves here and there instead of wall cabinets. Fewer cabinets=lower cost. • Avoid appliance panels. They tend to be costly beyond their design value. • Skip the flatware build-outs and built-in trash pull-outs. Simple ones from big box stores are priced right and work just fine. • Buy a slide-in range instead of a cooktop and built-in oven--one less cabinet. • Minimize the glass. Cabinets with clear glass doors need the interiors finished to match, and the extra work of cutting and inserting the glass pushes up the price. • Reduce the height of your cabinets. Over 36” high, the upper shelves are difficult to reach and often end up cluttered or empty. • Choose a countertop slab that is large enough for your project so that you don’t need a second one. This will also minimize seaming. • Ask the designer which of your requested features are the most expensive, then ponder whether you really need them. Hope these tips help you stretch your budget.

Tip: When In Doubt-- Shaker

Choose simple shaker or flat panel cabinet doors over more carved and elaborate styles, as their simplicity to manufacture and their popularity often translates into affordability by the factory. Shaker remains the best selling style in the U.S., so you are always safe if ease of resale is your primary goal.

>Big Dreams, Small Budget. Now What?

Ask the Kitchen Lady

You’ve thought about it a long time. Color, style, features--you are ready for your new kitchen, a kitchen that makes you happy. But you worry. Are your dreams just too grand and your budget just too unrealistic? So when the designer asks: “How much were you planning to spend on your kitchen cabinetry?” do you hesitate to answer because... A) You are concerned that your expectations exceed your finances and that the designer will view your project as unachievable (unprofitable) and politely decline the opportunity? Or because... B) You fear the opposite—that your budget actually exceeds what is required and revealing it will result in your paying more for your kitchen than you should? So when asked for a budget you may answer: “Well, we really haven’t set a firm number on it.” And then you inquire, “Can you ballpark what my cabinetry will cost?” (“Sure. Anywhere from $5,000 to $250,000, maybe lower, maybe higher.”) Simply stated: Sharing your financial commitment and your goals honestly and openly is generally a good idea and avoids game playing. But if you have proceeded to complete the design and estimate and are now suffering from “sticker shock,” let me help you out by suggesting some reasonable compromises in your cabinetry to perhaps reduce your cost and keep your budget affordable. • Choose a fiberboard cabinet interior jacketed in melamine (usually white or maple) instead of plywood. Most of the high- end European brands have this construction. • Select base cabinets with a drawer and door format instead of cabinets with 3 or 4 drawers. Eliminating some of the drawer glides and drawer fronts will help bring down the cost. • Stick to standard colors and stains offered. Avoid brushed finishes and custom colors. • Try open shelves here and there instead of wall cabinets. Fewer cabinets=lower cost. • Avoid appliance panels. They tend to be costly beyond their design value. • Skip the flatware build-outs and built-in trash pull-outs. Simple ones from big box stores are priced right and work just fine. • Buy a slide-in range instead of a cooktop and built-in oven-- one less cabinet. • Minimize the glass. Cabinets with clear glass doors need the interiors finished to match, and the extra work of cutting and inserting the glass pushes up the price. • Reduce the height of your cabinets. Over 36” high, the upper shelves are difficult to reach and often end up cluttered or empty. • Choose a countertop slab that is large enough for your project so that you don’t need a second one. This will also minimize seaming. • Ask the designer which of your requested features are the most expensive, then ponder whether you really need them. Hope these tips help you stretch your budget.