Kitchen cabinets on very tight budget, any advice??

7 years ago

Hi all, I am really hoping to get a little or a lot of advice on here, I have read so much, and have looked at so many different cabinets, that I think I have confused myself to no end,lol. We are getting ready to remodel our kitchen, and I'm wanting to do white shakers on the uppers and a grayish green on the lowers. Does anyone know what it might cost me if I go with Kraftmaid on the lowers, in the willow with glaze? One quote I have is for 8 base cabinets, one with lazy Susan, with ss, then 1 12" base, 2 24" base, 1 30" base, 2 24" three drawer base, 36" sink base. I would like the trash pull out, and roll out cabinets on the 24" standards. I am thinking I can spend more on the lowers and go a little cheaper on the uppers. I'm looking at needing about 8 cabinets for the uppers, will do the 36" height, & would like to have glass in a couple of them. I want my kitchen to be the farmhouse type theme, so any suggestions would be great! Looking at white glass subway tile for backsplash, still little hung up on what color granite for countertops. I have basically only been to lowes and HD, other than also Surplus Warehouse. I'm not sure where else to check in my area, but did like what I saw at HD.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

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Beth H. :

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

wow. you are getting slammed. Some of the people on here have to realize that not everyone has 50k to drop. They either do what they can with what they can afford, or they do nothing. I agree about the cheapchinese crap (i installed them on a flip house) however, they have held up just fine for over 5 years (we rent it out) and still look great! I guess these were high end chinesecrappola! hah.

I gave her the options because she asked for a budget. Will it be the best kitchen in the world? probably not, but it also won't be the worst. And maybe for this poster that's just fine with her. People ask for help on here, no sense belittling them because they can't afford more.

cr sch 1888- You can do the glass tiles, but the cheaper ones will have painted on white backing, the green glass cast, and will make life horrible for the tile installer when the tile chips. Don't skimp on those. Or go with a ceramic made. White is fine. Or you can do something w/some carrara marble in it. It will all match. Again, be careful on the marble you get, that also can come from china and it is also crap. You don't have that much backsplash to do, so don't try and scrimp there. Do you research and read reviews. Look at tilebar.com,,,they can be pricy but they are quality.

As for granite color, look at some of the quartz as well. less upkeep. But in the end, it's all about what you like and what you are willing to learn to save. Hire people if you are unsure.

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Comments (27)

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Hal Braswell Consulting
7 years ago
For a person on very tight budget you are wanting some expensive options. Glazes and other special finishes can add 20-30%. Glass doors + mullions + matching interior + interior lighting (upgrades that enhance glass doors) add lots of cost. A smaller number of larger cabinets is less expensive than a larger number of smaller cabinets especially those that have drawers or rollouts. Price out Jim Bishop Cabinets.
PRO
Hal Braswell Consulting
7 years ago
Concentrate money on base cabinets with as many drawers as possible. Rollouts good for pantries and under sink. Pullouts good for trash. Most other base cabinets should be 3 drawer.
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Hello trifides, What about chrome? Good at reflecting light.. A dual fuel Smeg range for example... A Dualit chrome toaster.. Architect kettle also Dualit.. Shiny elements will really pick up the light.. With the cabinets and the flooring, consider textures and warm elements to boost the look.. I think chrome is a good addition.. as both red and orange might clash with the flooring and cabinets in the colour and finish you have.. Think of other textures and materials you can introduce ...Chopping boards are lovely stacked and marble is another lovely material to use.. Pestle and mortar and a cheese board (I use mine for toast etc.... (Anthropologie and Habitat.. Maybe you want a cream Smeg retro style fridge.... You could then have some cream tiles or a creamy coloured granite for a splash back.. Then maybe a cream Aga... If you were replacing the worktop.. I'd suggest having an upstand as I love this sleek finish.. You can add the same material behind the oven to compliment.. Keep the worktop as clear as possible and a potted rosemary or two could be lovely... Of course the other thing I could suggest is painting the cabinets should you want to consider that as an option for you.. : ))
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PRO
Crystal Kitchen + Bath
7 years ago
Painted finishes are higher priced than stain and are also harder to maintain, especially a poor finish. Glazes cost even more. Roll-outs and drawers add cost, so do glass doors as usually you will want the interior finished to match. For a tight budget, we suggest a standard laminate top will a square edge and ceramic subway tile. An inexpensive granite will cost more than a laminate and cause many issues because the sealer is not of superior quality. We hope this helps!

Crystal Kitchen + Bath - Minneapolis, MN
PRO
Beth H. :
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
well, Kraftmaid isn't cheap, especially if you pay the middleman like Lowes or HD. If you want a better price, you have to do everything yourself. expect to pay between 5-10K just for having the big box store handle it for you. You have some expensive requests. something has to give if you don't want to spend much.

Are there any local cabinet makers in your area? You might be surprised at their prices. Getting something in raw wood and painting them yourself is another option.

Splurging on the lowers, and doing the uppers yourself (painting) is another way to go. Have you priced our the cabinets you assemble yourself?

You want glass in them? for sure do it after the fact. Learn how to remove the middle panel, measure, and go buy and install the glass yourself. ($150 saved).

With glass subway tile, you have to choose carefully. Some of them have a green cast to them because of the coating on the back or the type of glass they use. ceramic is a cheaper option. Check craigslist for people that are trying to unload their stock.

for the granite/quartz,,,check into pre-fabricated. an 8ft countertop should be around 500 or so. find a fabricator who can cut it and install for you. Pre-fab has a limited selection of colors and types, but some of them are very nice.

appliances?? outlets and Craigslist are good bets. I found a brand new stove top and wall oven for an unbelievable price. Start checking everyday.

It can be done if you are willing to do the work. Learn how to tile a backsplash and change out wall plugs. Learn how to install a microwave over your stove (if u are doing that) and save another few hundred. It all adds up. Start comparing prices and get a list going. do your research. That should get you started.
cr_sch_1888
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks everyone for the input and advice! Our overall budget is 23k, but I'm wanting to keep my cabinets in around 7k, with everything else we are planning to do.
User
7 years ago
A basic kitchen remodel will start att around $50,000. Sorry you have very unrealistic budget.
Heather Macdonald
7 years ago
I don't know if you live near an Amish community, but we are having custom cabinets made by an Amish cabinetmaker at about 1/4 the price of semi custom at Home Depot or Lowes.
Shaker style, soft close drawers, small window cabs on top, 2 level drawers for cutlery and all drawers in the island.
Good luck
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
7K is cheepchinesecrap that I wouldn't put in a doghouse or strip back every single luxury that you want and go with KM or other American manufactured mid grade line a partial overlay stained cabinet in oak. Even then, you might be over budget. Double your budget if you want paint and mid grade and a few of your wants. Not all. Stay away from back yard faux custom with parts and pieces bought from various places and assembled in your kitchen then slopped with house paint. You want to spend your money wisely. Wisely is KCM certified mid grade construction. That provides value. Which is not to be confused with low cost. Or high cost.
Kris Mays
7 years ago
I just bought a nice colored finish 80" vanity for my new master bathroom, cabinet only with 20% discount at $2,500. For what you want, your budget is not realistic at all.
cr_sch_1888
Original Author
7 years ago
I wouldn't say my budget isn't realistic at all, but thanks for your input! I did go to a surplus here in our area and got a quote on sunny wood, they have the soft close, plywood instead of particleboard, they just don't have the slide outs, but he said we could order them & install after I get the cabinets. The color is West Point grey, which I really like as well. They quoted me, for the lowers at about 3,500. The lazy Susan corner came in at the most, being 645.00. So, if I go with those for the lowers, I can probably get my uppers maybe a bit less.

heather:actually, yes we do live in Amish country, how did you go about finding one that makes cabinets?

Thanks again!
User
7 years ago
Hire a very good kitchen designer. It will be the best money you have ever spent!
Maureen
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Maybe people who have Ikea cabinets could comment on their quality, but they have a 25 year warranty...you can select frames, doors, hinges, colors, styles, solid wood or not, etc. White shaker uppers are easy and if you don't find the color you like for the bottoms, go with white and have them professionally sprayed. They also offer all kinds of inserts and I'm sure they would be at a much lower price. May be worth checking into. White subway tiles can be found almost anywhere and as an fyi, HD sells certain styles of hardware in bulk of 10 (I think) and you save about 1/2 the money. We purchased their cupped handles, which would suit the farmhouse look you are going for.
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Sunnywood = cheepchinesecrapola. Surplus Warehouse=Acres of cheepchinesecrapola.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
You might get a more varied response on the Houzz Kitchen Forum. Lots of info on this Houzz forum

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath
Kris Mays
7 years ago
If you buy subways from a big box store or anywhere else really, make sure they are rectified. Ask me how I know.
smileythecat
7 years ago
Huh, Having just gone through our kitchen reno, and knowing very little about yours, I think you are underestimating how far 23k is going to take you. Just a thought.
wacokid
7 years ago
A new kitchen and a "tight budget", sorry, do not go together. If you do not have experience with a kitchen remodel you will destroy your finances, let alone your kitchen. At least have Home Depot or someone come out a measure and make some plans. Do you even know the measurements of your own kitchen? Once you get plans then you can get quotes from different cabinet mfgs. Don't hodgepodge it either. It is not rocket science but it is very easy to make costly mistakes....
cr_sch_1888
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks wacokid, yes I have a GC that has done all the measurements and the bids we got were all pretty comparable, and yes I know that's with them quoting my cabinets through the shanendoah line at lowes, they gave me 2 diff layouts, one with a pantry and one without. And that was still under the 7k by quiet a bit. I understand some of those that can only go with the best, but when you can't afford it, you go with what you can. My granite bid came in right at 3,500 plus 500 for install, for mid line, not the best I know. I'm not doing the floors now, going to wait until I put the family room in at the same time. Yea, I deffenitely have someone that's going to do it, cuz I totally agree, I would have a heck of a mess Thanks!
cr_sch_1888
Original Author
7 years ago
Beth h: thanks for that on the glass tile, may rethink that! What color would you suggest, having a dark grey lower and white uppers? Not sure what color for granite, been going back & forth, so I had them to just price it for me on the mid line granite.
lefty47
7 years ago
HI -- Search around your area for locally made cabinets that way you are not paying for shipping and that will save a lot . The big box stores are just middle agents for below grade products. Ikea could work for your budget also . Their cabinets have improved greatly . Some smaller local cabinet companies have a designer to help with the design and the budget . Check stone and tile places for their discount items and that can save . Also any discount plumbing for taps etc. You could get most of what you want but it will be a little more work finding materials .Finding a kitchen designer will help with the budget and I think you could get a nice kitchen for the amount you have.
Kris Mays
7 years ago
I don't think she's getting slammed by the general populace. I think she asked for advice and we are telling her that she might want to rethink her choices/budget. We've done complete kitchens way cheaper than $23,000 (not painted), but we didn't get everything we wanted. AND we do all of our own work. She's paying a contractor for his work. Makes me wonder where his cut is coming from?
wacokid
7 years ago
What I meant about "piecing together" is mixing upper and lower cabinets with different mfgs., or some with paint and others you paint yourself. Other than that of coarse you can piece your project together. btw, I have used KM cabinets on my projects, I install myself, and I like them and have never had a problem. cr, here is a link to my kitchen, it has some of the things you mentioned. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/61487123/thumbs/kitchen
Kris Mays
7 years ago
I like Kraftmaid as well. I put them in all three bathrooms in the house we had built.
PRO
Beth H. :
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Kris, I agree. maybe he's a friend who will do some of the work. She seemed like she was willing to do a lot of the work herself. It's just that when she said I have 23K to work with and people start saying she needs to double it, I would think someone would get discouraged. Can you do a kitchen for 23k? of course you can. If you can do a lot of the work for yourself and don't pick top of the line items. Like I said, you have to know how to shop and how to do things yourself. You know for yourself how much money you can save if you can do your own tiling, floors, some basic plumbing and electrical, etc.. It just seemed like a few of the comments were a bit harsh.
User
7 years ago
Most people do not have the skills or knowledge to do this themselves, let alone the time!
If you are willing to be your own project manager, be on site every day, source all of your product, hire all your subs or do the work yourself, if you don't work, but have the time to do this yourself you will save a little.
My belief is leave these kinds of things to professionals, hire a designer to act as your advocate to take care of mess ups....that always happen and go to work at my profession, knowing it is going to be done right.
True, you can skimp on materials, use laminate, instead of Quartz, porcelain floor tile rather than hardwood, but you also have to think of the results.
Is this going to be a kitchen you are happy with or will you wish you had saved until you could afford the kitchen you want. Save in haste, repent in leisure.
PRO
Modern Kitchen Pros
7 years ago
Use IKEA cabinet frames and hardware, buy custom fronts from CoronaMillWorks... the cost is extraordinarily less and you can get high quality options with any color combination without breaking the bank..

average IKEA kitchen remodel cost (includes all labor, new appliances, flooring, countertops, etc) is approx $1,000/lft

a budget of 23k is definitely doable, and no one would EVER know that you DIDNT spend $50k on your kitchen :)

if you'd like, message us and we can show you exactly how much your kitchen would cost if you went this route :)

Kitchen cabinets on very tight budget, any advice??

Beth H. :

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Hal Braswell Consulting

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Kitchen cabinets on very tight budget, any advice??

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