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06.04.20, 00:23 AM General Topics
40 replies
Need advice: I have posted earlier about wanting to renovate my kitchen. 3 contractors have estimated 35-50k. One has estimated 25k. Is there any reason we should be suspicious of such a low estimate? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 06.04.20, 12:23 AM Flag
 

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Yes [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:24 AM Flag
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Is the 25K guy either a factory (churns out a bunch of same style renovations a year) or a small guy starting out? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:33 AM Flag
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What does that even include? Our large kitchen cost 45k in materials only if I remember correctly. That doesn’t include any appliances. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:34 AM Flag
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^^ in Manhattan [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:42 AM Flag
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Yeap! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 08:46 PM Flag
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We had our kitchen renovated several years ago and took the lowest bid. It was a huge mistake. The contractor was working on multiple jobs at the same time and paid very little attention to ours. I am now interested in renovating it again and will not make this mistake twice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:40 AM Flag
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Same here. It sucked--job took months extra. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 03:24 AM Flag
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I would get referrals from friends who have worked with them and go see their work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:41 AM Flag
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Where do you live? We are in westchester county and our budget is $50k and I’m hoping it’s doable because I’ve heard $100k is the norm [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:42 AM Flag
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OP: we are upstate. Our kitchen isn’t large and we are not moving any beams or anything major. Walls floor countertops, cabinets. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:48 AM Flag
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Oh okay. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:20 AM Flag
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We are in ulster. Just did a kitchen for twenty five k, plus appliances. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:44 AM Flag
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Oh that is very good to know. TY [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 02:14 AM Flag
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Did a small kitchen (kept cabinets, got new floors, counters, lighting, backsplash, appliances) - we came in under 30. In Tarrytown. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 07:04 PM Flag
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This is encouraging! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 02:12 AM Flag
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OP: appliances are not included [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:42 AM Flag
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^^everything is being done in-house [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:42 AM Flag
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Do you have a breakdown of exactly what it includes. We were in a similar situation and turns out the cheap guy didn't do/have subcontractors who did everything which would mean turning that part of the job over to someone else which made up the difference. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:42 AM Flag
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OP: I have no reason to assume one contractor is better than the other. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:43 AM Flag
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Get references. He may know he is low-balling to get the job, which he really wants right now. Might not be reflection of quality, just his desire to do the work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:51 AM Flag
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Never go with the lowest. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 12:57 AM Flag
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OP: even if he was the one I liked from the start? Without the numbers thrown in [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:01 AM Flag
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What do you like about him? That is the key. I picked a lower cost contractor because he provided detailed estimates where other guys just gave me a number. If it is that you think he’s a nicer guy, that’s not a good reason [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:51 AM Flag
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He seemed to understand what I wanted even though I didn’t. He wasn’t fussy, came in, looked, asked what I was looking for and made suggestions immediately. Very straight forward [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 02:02 AM Flag
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np. I say go with your gut. The cost will anyway be 25% above. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 03:01 AM Flag
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You really need everything itemized and detailed. Design of the kitchen with measurements, what kind of wood/color, drawers vs doors, what kind of counter top, etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 03:58 AM Flag
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I would go with the guys you like and trust best. If you cheap out and save $10K, trust me, you'll end up paying for it anyway in one way or another. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:01 AM Flag
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Make sure you clarify materials used and what is included. One guy I’ve worked with sometimes “forgets” stuff, like replacing the doors on closets and suddenly that adds a cost, and the tile was only budgeted for x and I like the one 2x. Putting a deck up now. Originally he was four thousand less than other estimate. When I really probed and nailed everything down, it was a seven hundred dollar difference. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:43 AM Flag
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Go visit their recent jobs and ask to talk to the owners. If the contractors hedge on that request, you have your answer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 03:34 AM Flag
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I spent 50K on a tiny NYC kitchen 15 years ago--high end appliances with Ikea cabinets--that seems low to me now. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 03:34 AM Flag
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I spent 50K on my Ikea kitchen in the burbs and contractor was a friend and gave me a great price (I had many other estimates). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 01:07 PM Flag
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I am the one who responded about IKEA kitchen on your other post. What is the breakdown of the cost for your quote? Honestly, 35-50 K seems OK, even on the low side. Our breakdown was: 15K IKEA cabinets, 15K contractor cost, 7K countertop (Cambria quartz), 10K or so appliances, 2-3K floors [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 03:25 PM Flag
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How do you like your IKea cabinets and did you find them to be that much less than going with other brands? Also, where are you located? Trying to see if $50K is realistic in Westchester. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 04:47 PM Flag
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These are the top cabinets https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/voxtorp-drawer-front-high-gloss-light-beige-10321294/ These are my bottom cabinets https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/voxtorp-drawer-front-walnut-effect-50328142/ We did our kitchen in August of 2018, and so far the cabinets have held up great. Easy maintenance and high quality. yes we were quoted 35K for custom made cabinets, and I did not like the styles at 3 places I worked with. I am in the Midwest, but my friends did their kitchen in Bergen county NJ, with same cabinets but Miele/Bosch appliances and quartzite counter tops also under 55 K. Their kitchen is much smaller though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 06:45 PM Flag
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Really pretty. Love the beige! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 02:18 AM Flag
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OR: thank you. I am really happy with those, walnut ones are not as pretty maybe because they are not glossy [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 03:29 PM Flag
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OP: so the appliances are not included in any estimates. Countertop and sink is about 8k, cabinets are 11k (these will be built in-house), tiles install and materials -3.5k. We supply door knobs and pulls. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 05:25 PM Flag
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This sounds very low for the custom made cabinets unless the kitchen is super small. High quality custom made cabinets are usually from 30-70K [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 06:47 PM Flag
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This is very accurate according to my calculations too. I think a good kitchen renovation - plan to have around $55 - $70K. I feel like if you are going through the trouble, you'll end up wanting it to be your specs, and those extra this and that will matter. I'd budget around $65K. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.04.20, 07:51 PM Flag
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Helpful!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.05.20, 02:16 AM Flag
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