Friday, August 12, 2011

The Kitchen Chronicles: Budget Blowout

I am one of those not-so-rare birds that hate to admit defeat. Even worse? Admitting I was wrong. And when it comes to our projected budget of $15,000 for this kitchen I was DEAD wrong. I thought I knew what we were getting ourselves into ( I did know enough to expect to go over budget!), but I really didn't anticipate blogging with my tail between my legs telling you that we are twice the original budget.


If there is one thing I love about blogland it is that you can live vacariously through reading other people's blogs, get great feedback and ideas on your own blog, and learn some things in the process, hopefully avoiding the same pitfalls. So not only did I intend to bore you with every decicion, purchase and obsticle when I started blogging about this kitchen, but I also wanted to share where every penny went. I guess magazine worthy, drooled over kitchens do cost more than a little blood, sweat and tears. Plus, I am always nosy like that when I am reading someone else's blog.


This was our intended spending plan when we went into the project. We did our research, planned on doing everything ourselves and aimed to keep it looking like a million bucks while only spending $15,000.



Embarassingly enough, a bachelor's degree in business didn't help me too much when it came to remembering all the components of a kitchen. Hello, where are countertops and sink on that budget???? Right there I under budgetted $6,000. Whew, I'd rather be over budget thanks to a math error than a judgement error.


We were sorely under estimating cabinet costs due to a few factors:

1. When we had our cabinet quotes done by various local suppliers we did not yet decide on adding the peninsula (an additional 9 feet of cabinets that also require a pretty, finished backside=$$$$). We went from 32 feet at $150/ft to 54 feet at $194/ft

2. When you see the listed price per foot of cabinets that basically means you get 2 doors. Obviously we wanted some drawers as well! Any extras only add to that price.


The other contributing factor to our over spending was our decision to call in some help. After talking with several people who have been through kitchen renos we thought it was well worth the expense to have the cabinets installed professionally. And after having them piled up in our garage for a week now I can understand why! It is the biggest, most annoying looking puzzle ever made. We also made the decision to hire an electrician to move all the necessary outlets and lighting. This is something that Sean could have done, but we thought we should at least get a quote for the work and once we did it was a no brainer. We would have spent half the cost just on supplies at Home Depot so it made sense to just pay a few hundred dollars and have the work done fast and right. As for plumbing, it is still in-progress. But we would definitely be doing it ourselves if Sean didn't have a commercial contact that was willing to take us on the side for a fraction of the price because the other quotes we've gotten are through the roof over $3000!


Here is what we're really spending to pull this kitchen together. All the grey items are things we still need to pay for so they may be slightly more or less.




We've surprisingly spent less on counters than I thought we would. And the windows also came in under budget thanks to a credit they issued us for all the delays. YAyyyy!!


At the end of the day we are still happy with that number because we honestly feel like we are getting the kitchen of our dreams. Some of that money was also spent in the family room (like the ceiling, lighting and electrical) so we are kind of getting 2 rooms for that price, at least thats what I tell myself. Once it came down to actually making our dream come true we figured we should LOVE everything. Spending an extra thousand dollars or so on adding nicer baseboards, trim and doors to our cabinets seem money well spent in the long run.


We aren't at the finish line just yet so stay tuned on how the final tally adds up!

26 comments:

Christina said...

Thanks for being honest about this! It's amazing how the best intentions and plans don't always work out the way we planned them...and I'm so included in that!!

Can't WAIT to see the finished product! It's going to look amazing!!

Hollie said...

I can't wait to see it!!!!

Anngela said...

I can't wait to see the result--all of your inspirations and descriptions sound amazing!

Sush said...

Oh I can't wait to see all its loveliness! Nothing ever comes in on budget it seems!

Hugs~

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

To tell ya the truth- I think your lucky if you can do it for under 30 thousand. I cant wait to see it.

Giggles said...

I've heard you should always use 30 thousand as a base figure for a kitchen anyways! Seems you are right there!! Have you already figured in the the floors? Personally I left a stamp pad of floor in my kitchen for tile because we are such ducks that I didn't want to ruin our hardwood with constant drips!I just heard something about giving yourself six months total to have it finished...it may have been on the stephen and Chris show... Either way I always need a rest after a reno...I admire your tenacity to keep going!!

Hugs Giggles

P.S. My friend the plumber says you should always have a plumber and a lawyer as your friend!! lol

Kristal@QuirkyEssentials said...

Yikes! My husband and I are currently trying to decide if we want to buy a ready to move in home or one where we can do a little work and get exactly what we want. hmmm... Seems like you are very happy in the end though! I want to see it!

Martine said...

I am going through the exact same thing right now, as my kitchen budget is growing. I keep telling myself I am never moving.

I can't wait to see yours completed.

Rose said...

O bom são os resultados.Um sonho não tem preço!
Aguardo as imagens para ver os rsultados.
Bjs.

Stephanie said...

Well, if it makes you feel any better, that is about the right price for a great kitchen. You just didn't know it at the time. You will So enjoy your kitchen. And it is great for re-sale :)

Nutbird said...

An inexpensive kitchen will always be the weak spot of a house. You have to give your house the kitchen it deserves based on your area and price of your house. You won't regret spending more. Ann

KL said...

He he! The story of my life! We buy, renovate or detonate & build as a way of life (we have our own construction company)and I've NEVER come in under budget on a kitchen! You are very creative and hard working but some things need the magic touch of money to get perfect. You've chosen well to 'stretch' for this room and get it right. I promise you that you wont regret it! Love your attitude towards what could be a very stress-full time too! Looking forward to seeing the end result!
KL

laxsupermom said...

Kitchens are such budget busters, but yours will look terrific in the end. Can't wait to see the big reveal.

The French Tangerine said...

Can't wait to see the result... hang in there!
Jan

Mary Elizabeth said...

I am sure it is going to look fabulous? But don't see flooring in the budget?

Unknown said...

Yes, been there done that, although my original budget was 3K and ended up spending 6k...not as bad but still doubled. There is nothing like working in a kitchen you love, so it is worth it. There are still things I would have done differently(WHY didn't I get that farmhouse sink I loved at Ikea? and a new fridge and dishwasher) but all in all, I'm good.

Rachel said...

Thanks for sharing! I really cannot wait to see the finished space...I just know it's going to be amazing! I'm sure you're ready for it all to be over too:)

Erin Southwell said...

I love the honest update! Isn't it discouraging when things add up so darn fast! We started out with the best intentions when we built our house 3 years ago but quickly went over budget in pretty much every room! ;) It is going to be just beautiful when you are done and you won't have any regrets for cutting corners . . . hang in there! Good call on bringing in the pros, can't imagine hanging those cabinets-heavy and puzzle-like!

Erin

Jen Allyson said...

I posted recently on my blog that to estimate your renovation costs you take your budget, double it, add 25% and then you're there... but only because you are completely out of money at that point!

Dawn said...

You are WAYYYYY calmer than I would be. I would have fallen on the floor in total defeat...lol. I'm a cheapskate...err...frugal person and it takes a lot to part me from my money these days...lol. Glad everything is finally coming together. Can't wait to see the finished room...:)

Cinderellen said...

I feel your pain - no really! I am currently in the middle of what I thought was a job of pretty modest proportions and around $11,000. So far we are right at $30,000. Ouch!

sohirach said...

it'll be beautiful! i'm sure!

love, rach.
www.so--hi.blogspot.com

NicPic's, with Willow House:SIMPLY GOOD DESIGN said...

Can't wait to see the pics! You would looove our new Riverstone Dinnerware by Willow House in that kitchen!

NicPic's, with Willow House:SIMPLY GOOD DESIGN said...

Can't wait to see the finished result! You would loooove our new Riverstone Dinnerware in that kithen.

stugolfer1 said...

Thanks so much for the break down in pricing for kitchen cabinetry. I have a better idea of what I can spend.


Stuart

Lisa Mende said...

can you tell me how you like your Martha Stewart cabinets now that you have them installed and have been using them? How was the service with Home Depot? Did they install?

 
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