OT: Kitchen Remodel Costs / Opinions / anyone in the industry?

[hotrivets]

That sounds reasonable. I wanted to make a few changes in my kitchen and convert a bar area to my laundry and that was over $20k all in by the time I got the new range and hood, did the backsplash, etc. The guys that came out just wanted to do a whole new kitchen and they were in that $80-100k range and my kitchen is not that big. I happened to find a really dedicated guy that took my plan and did the minor remodel I wanted.

The trick is to find a guy who can sweat the details and deal with the unforeseen issues. No room is ever square and level and there are always issues that pop up. And a guy that sticks to the bid with adjustments for changes and the unforeseen stuff.

Electric is not usually too bad but if you start to move plumbing around that can get expensive fast.

[JR1]

I have an account with Hallmark. I’ve tried other fabricators but none of them match the quality of Hallmark stone. They’ve got some excellent installers. Send me a message, I might be able to save you some cash on the tops.

You should probably try again no offense but Hallmarks quality is rock bottom this is well known in the industry

I’ve recently retired from the kitchen and bath remodeling work. I have NEVER had a poor quality job from Hallmark Stone. I’ve got over 45 years experience. Everyone has their opinions. I could name several fabricators/installers that do (bleep) work. I never downgrade my competition. I don’t know why you don’t like Hallmark,but that is your business. Tell us who you would recommend. Try again.

[Bubble4427]

I have an account with Hallmark. I’ve tried other fabricators but none of them match the quality of Hallmark stone. They’ve got some excellent installers. Send me a message, I might be able to save you some cash on the tops.

You should probably try again no offense but Hallmarks quality is rock bottom this is well known in the industry

I know at least 4 people that have used Hallmark (including myself). Everyone was thrilled.
I will say though that when I used them for my bathroom countertop (which was granite) it was cut wrong. The error was on them. They made a replacement in less than 48 hours and then through in a free backsplash for free for the trouble.

No complaints here.

[PregnantNun]

Before I start, go ahead and flame away for this being a Blues forum and not a home remodeling forum lol. Really I don't know where else to go for non-bias / multiple opinions from people who may have done this at their home or work in the industry. My parents still live in the 60's and think a pair of jeans should be $10 and a new car $10K so its not worth asking them, they'd probably faint at the cost.

ANYWHO, pretty strongly considering a quote to remodel our kitchen, the quote currently sits at $70K, flooring would be ~$5K, and then appliances (haven't entertained that cost yet).

The flooring guy measured the flooring which includes half bath and laundry room at about 780sf, so I'm guessing our kitchen square footage is around 650 call it to be safe. We have a u-shaped kitchens / cabinets, we have an island thats 6 fee long, and we have one of those 'desks' in the breakfast room area that was popular in the 90's (looking to convert that into a little bar area with counter height counters).

As you can probably tell our kitchens freakin big. I think I counted somewhere around 30 cabinet doors (cabinet sizes vary) and about 16 drawers. We are doing plywood, soft close, dovetail cabinets / drawers, quartz counter top and possibly backsplash too almost to the ceiling, installing a hood above the stove (microwave is going in the island), the half bath off the kitchen is getting matching cabinet / vanity, toilet, etc.

Someone make me feel good about possibly doing this project, we have no intention of moving (unless our neighborhood turns into North STL) and I know for a fact costs arent going to go down.

Is ~$80K reasonable? This is our biggest purchase ever outside of the actual house and I don't make decisions easily esp. this large but the more I see renderings of what we are going to do and think about it the more I want to do it and just think 'eff it'

PS: No I dont have 80k laying under my bed but we can afford it, its not going to disrupt life as we know it or not be able to afford food / my kids tuition. I still don't like seeing 80k disappear tho haha

Thats all, any input from experts is appreciated.

Believe our new kitchen (update from original 1970 everything) was 70k. In Hawaii there is a premium on everything because it has to be shipped here, but your kitchen is probably 3x the size of ours lol. I think you're in the ballpark of what is reasonable.

FWIW, we went through Home Depot. The contractors that work with them have a sweeeeeet gig getting jobs handed to them from Home Depot all the time, and they do not want to lose it. So everyone was on time, no delays, and they were always asking if we were satisfied. Really good experience through Home Depot. No coordinating contractors. All done for you. I will go through them for everything ever for the rest of my life now.

[TBone]

FWIW, we went through Home Depot. The contractors that work with them have a sweeeeeet gig getting jobs handed to them from Home Depot all the time, and they do not want to lose it. So everyone was on time, no delays, and they were always asking if we were satisfied. Really good experience through Home Depot. No coordinating contractors. All done for you. I will go through them for everything ever for the rest of my life now.

I have a friend who contracts through Home Depot and you're correct. It's a sweet gig and it sounds like they reward their best people. It works for my friend too because it eliminates a lot of the hassel of being a boss (time spent estimating work, etc), he can set his own schedule, and it sounds like it pays well. I know he's got plenty of time to go golfing.

[UMR-alum-05]

I didn't read the whole thread. I read the OP. If you're willing to be your own project manager there's immediate savings to that. Hire your own sub contractors. Buy your own cabinets. That type of thing.

If you can do some of the work, like the demo for example, yourself, you can save some cost. Demo is easy. Get a dumpster delivered. Get a friend or two to help. Beers and pizza for everyone. Fun day.

If you have a friend that's a carpenter or a DIYer, with a laser level, setting new cabinets isn't complicated. You can save money there. Pretty easy really.

They will design a kitchen for free at Lowe's. Usually knowledgeable people from my experience. Make an appointment. Show up with some sketches with dimensions and some pictures of what you have. You can buy decent quality cabinets also from Lowes. Lead time is usually a month or so. Sounds like you have a big order. Might be longer lead. Do this part first obviously. This will set your schedule and you'll know when to do your demo based on when new cabs will show up.

There is a few suggestions to save some money. If people are willing to do some things themselves you can save significant cost and end up with a great product. Plenty of videos to watch on YouTube. Some people like to just hand the reigns to someone else, and hey, far be it from me to tell anyone how to do it. But it really isn't that complicated to do a few things yourself and you'll save 10-15-20k from the end price. Plus there's the satisfaction involved.

Good luck! Couple other notes I thought of. If there's electrical work involved hire an electrician. If there's plumbing involved. Hire a plumber. Unless you know what you're doing in these areas you can get yourself into trouble.

[icon]

I did a gut job on my condo's kitchen 15 years ago, and it was $20,000. Top of the line materials for everything. But my kitchen is considerably smaller than yours. So $70,000 doesn't seem out of line.

[Harry S Deals]

I have an account with Hallmark. I’ve tried other fabricators but none of them match the quality of Hallmark stone. They’ve got some excellent installers. Send me a message, I might be able to save you some cash on the tops.

You should probably try again no offense but Hallmarks quality is rock bottom this is well known in the industry

I know at least 4 people that have used Hallmark (including myself). Everyone was thrilled.
I will say though that when I used them for my bathroom countertop (which was granite) it was cut wrong. The error was on them. They made a replacement in less than 48 hours and then through in a free backsplash for free for the trouble.

No complaints here.

Ultimately it depends on the level of project they are doing. If its a quartz remnant or a small quartz kitchen L top and island then sure they will probably suffice, you are going to get what you pay for. If you are an upper level project, marble or quartzite then no way they are awful. My "2nd career" ive been associated with this industry for a long time. Again in any case you get what you pay for they have their niche in the market

[UMR-alum-05]

I've worked with Hallmark on a couple of projects I was happy with them.

But I would not use them for a brand new full kitchen. That's not what they do.

[Harry S Deals]

I've worked with Hallmark on a couple of projects I was happy with them.

But I would not use them for a brand new full kitchen. That's not what they do.

Fred is good at what he does they run 15-25 trucks cost effective, smaller easy jobs they are by far do the biggest volume in the area. This year the low to mid level buyer seems to be down the upper 1% type of jobs are going strong. HIgh end marble quartzites miters, panels, real PITA jobs lol