It's no secret that a beautifully designed kitchen gracing any of the design magazines today isn't inexpensive. Home design is light-years away from the mass-production kitchens of the 1950's. Almost everything is custom these days, and even "standard" products offer multiple choices.
When the goal of the remodel is long-term, then the design and construction process becomes radically different from quick re-sale. Now we're talking:
- long-term durability and quality of the chosen products
- a focus on the family's growth over the years. No use designing a low eating bar for your 5-year-old -- there's no telling how tall he's going to be 10 years from now
- the lifestyle and function of the room - again not just for today. Electronics change almost daily - what do we see down the road that can be made ready now?
- the quality of the craftsmanship
- the sheer enjoyment of good design and beauty
Our clients like quality - mid-to-higher-end appliances, such as Dacor, KitchenAid, and Miele. They look to a cabinet layout with semi-custom and custom cabinets with sturdy, long-lasting interior fixtures. They want beautiful tile designs, and lighting plans adjusted for lighting requirements throughout the year. They're also looking for our experience -- after all, it doesn't matter how much information is on the Web: it still can't tell you how products will fit together and all their little design quirks like someone who does this for a living every day.
One of our kitchens with custom cabinets, pro appliances, and tile detail. Nothing is left to chance -- even the ceiling has been custom designed.
With that in mind, our clients invest between $ 80,000 - $ 120,000 for a medium-sized kitchen/family room completely custom-designed for their lifestyles and built to their exacting needs.
To put those numbers in perspective, at 5 years, that initial investment works out to $ 44 - $ 54 per day. At 10 years, the range drops to to $ 22 - $ 27 per day. (Some of us spend more on our e-gadget charges and toys than this.)
Even if you decided to sell after 5 years, which kitchen/family room project do you think will help sell the home faster - your old tired rooms, or the beautifully designed room that you already enjoyed for those 5 years?
Yes, the ROIs are down -- but we've also seen the old 1960s and 1970s kitchens in this area, with the flicking fluorescent light box, and the cabinet doors that no longer adjust. We simply wanted to give you something to think about.
Links:
Great Kitchens Sell Homes (via Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate)
Remodeling Your Home: When it's worth the cost (via Housing Watch)
