Ask the Kitchen Expert

Kitchen Remodel Costs

Ben — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Question: How much of the cost of a kitchen remodel is customary to pay upfront? 50%?

Savena: If your contractor is providing a complete package, i.e. he or she's supplying all the materials, such as cabinets, appliances, countertops, etc., 50% down payment may not be actually enough. In a typical kitchen remodeling, the materials' cost is roughly 70% and the labor cost is 30%. Your contractor will need to order and pay in full the two costliest components of the kitchen - cabinets and appliances - so they'll be delivered to the job when needed, avoiding any delays.

If your contractor is providing the labor and related materials only, you'll want to discuss why the payment schedule is structured this way and if it can be negotiated. Be very aware, though, of a contractor that will agree to any condition just to get the job and later on lack of cash flow may become a reason to abandon your project - a scenario that has played out with increasing frequency in the last few years.

Biggest Cost Factors in a Kitchen Makeover

Ben — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:05:00 GMT

Question: What are the biggest factors when trying to figure out the cost of a kitchen makeover?

Savena: The major cost factors in a typical kitchen remodeling project are:

     1. Kitchen cabinets (especially if they are custom made). They are the
         most important component as they establish the ambiance of the
         space, organize the storage and are the costliest to remove and
         replace. You have to get them absolutely right as they can make or
         break the space - at any price point.
     2. Appliances (sometimes their cost exceeds that of stock cabinets)
         Appliances can, of course, be replaced as the need arises. Their
         quality level should be comparable to that of the cabinetry.Disparity
         between the two will be obvious and is to be avoided. For example,
         you should not have a SubZero refrigerator with thermofoil cabinets.
     3. Countertops - again, the material selected needs to be not only very
         functional, but also to visually complement the cabinets, appliances,
         etc and to be on the same quality level.
     4. Labor - High quality workmanship - or the lack of - can make or break
         your project. In this, as in all of the above cost factors, you get what
         you pay for. That old maxim is still true today.

Too Much Black?

Ben — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:12:00 GMT

Question: Would it be too much black/granite to go with black granite floor and black granite countertops?

Savena: Yes. It would be too much black and too much granite. Imagine all of the horizontal surfaces in this hypothetical kitchen are black. They'll absorb an enormous amount of light. To compensate, too many recessed and other light fixtures, consuming a lot of electricity, will have to be installed.

Also, if we're talking about highly polished black granite, every single one of these fixtures will be reflected - this is not only very distracting, but also visually very undesirable.

In addition, a highly polished black granite floor is slippery, especially when wet and therefore is not safe.

In conclusion, too much of a good thing is still too much of it. And just because you found the black granite tiles on sale - practically free - they are still not the best choice for your kitchen floor.