Michael "Dog3" Lonergan wrote on 26 Nov 2006 in rec.food.cooking

> OMG ... The cost is staggering. The cabinets and backsplash I want
> are exorbitant, costwise. One light fixture is a designer fixture,
> it's $4,000 by itself. The designer makes them himself. All told the
> new kitchen will cost $50 grand. Steven is balking big time. It was
> $24 grand when we first went into this but I started researching stuff
> and found several designers I liked. Natch I chose the most expensive
> ;( The granite counter tops will be the most expensive and the only
> thing Steven and I have agreed on. Sheesh... we'll get the money back
> if we sell the place ;o) Yeah right, I can see my obit "He died with
> his hand wrapped around a can of peas"
>
> Am I being insane or what? I'm not looking for a gourmet/commercial
> kitchen. Is $50 thousand that unreasonable? What have others spent?
>
> Michael
>

My thoughts:

I spent under 14 grand...But you are in a different tax bracket. And I've
been called cheap. For fifty grand I would expect walls to be coming down
and the Actual kitchen becoming larger, better insulated , with loads of
windows and several pantry storage areas, with 1 pantry equiped with a
walk in fridge. 4 grand for a light fixture seems excessive to me, but I
own no original art and at 4 grand that light fixture is more art than
light fixture. There are better products than granite for counter
tops...better color selection, better waring, easier to clean, easier to
repair and cheaper in price. Granite is so unforgiving, if stuff gets
dropped on it, Either the stuff breaks or the granite scars. As a point
of reference...a kitchen remodel shouldn't run more than a inground pool
installation.


My conclusions:

50 grand, in your tax bracket, is the price you'd pay for a car
willingly. But a kitchen lasts longer, is more personal, you have to live
with it longer and you spend more time in the kitchen. So if you like the
result, the price is reasonable.

It's all in the eye of the beholder, if it makes you happy and doesn't
bankrupt you or take food outa your mouth...go for it.

Unless you plan on doing remodels every 5 years ...then I'd think it's
too pricy.