Is a kitchen remodel a place to be frugal?
By brimia
@brimia (6581)
United States
January 24, 2007 8:47am CST
We've purchased all new SS appliances, to replace the 25 year old ones that were here when we bought the house, at very good prices. My husband also put in new floors and I stained the cabinets, changed out the hardware, and stripped wallpaper and painted. So far, we've been able to make some big changes without spending huge amounts of money. The last thing I want to do is replace the old white laminate countertops. I've called around for quotes on a granite slab which is expensive. I'm not sure if I should try for granite tile or some other less expensive option or just bite the bullet. We'll probably get our money back when selling the house but paying so much money (around $2K) for countertops just makes me nervous.
5 people like this
9 responses
@theproperator (2429)
• United States
25 Jan 07
Granite is the big thing in kitchens, so if you have an eye towards selling, it might be a good investment, however, high end counters in the kitchen only make sense if the rest of your house is in equally good shape. If saving some money on the counters means you could use that money towards updating another area, that would be something to pursue.
if someone really likes the house enough to make an offer, having granite tile instead of solid granite will probably not deter them. You could also pursue some of the composite type counter tops, which are supposed to be very durable and good looking, too.
Good luck.
2 people like this
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I guess first it's a matter of if you have the money to do it, then why not put in the best? If it's putting you in the poor house, then I'd say cut back for sure. There's no need to have the best of it all. Be picky on what you put the money into. Don't buy a plastic faucet but a $2k countertop. Figure out what really matters. If you have the money to do it.. then go for it!
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
29 Jan 07
A while back I used to watch HGTV and cement counter tops were becoming popular. Heres the sight if you would liketo check it out. http://design.hgtv.com/kitchen/Video_detail.aspx?id=817
http://design.hgtv.com/kitchen/sub_topic_03.aspx?t=3&st=13
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
25 Jan 07
We have corian counter tops. I just love it. Granite it beautiful. I would love to do an island in it. I am always nervious spending large amounts of money too but it should up the selling price by alot.
2 people like this
@trouble4u2avoid (2915)
• United States
23 Feb 07
You have probably made your decision already. I was just going to say it would be a good idea to check out how to care for a granite counter top as well as the price.
@clownfish (3269)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Hi! Have you thought about doing granite tiles instead of slab tile? It is considerably less expensive and will give you the same look. :-)
@blueskies (1186)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I know what you mean, it would make me nervous to spend that much money, too. I've seen the granite tile countertops on TLC shows and I love it. I actually prefer the look over the solid granite because it breaks it up a bit. I would love to see pics of your new kitchen when you get it finished. Maybe you could add some to your photo section?
1 person likes this
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
31 Jan 07
I got a really nice but expensive kitchen put in my last house. Then a year later we had to move and sell it and we didn't make our money back so in this house I have put in the cheapest kitchen you can buy. However the drawfronts are already starting to look scruffy after a year.
It is a tough decision and I would say go with the middle ground. Get something fairly good quality that will last but don't spend a fortune unless you are sure it is going to be your house for a long time.
I know I wouldn't pay that much for countertops, but I am on a tight budget at the moment.
1 person likes this
