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Answers (11)
Best Answer
- Carl Heldmann, "mrbuilder"
- Contributions:32
- Keith Thomason, "MW Thomason and Sons"
- Contributions:13
Consider your lifestyle and where you spend most of your time. Do you spend a great deal of time cooking or in the outdoors?
- Kate Walsh, "Feng Shui Realtor"
- Contributions:67
Live with the kitchen for a bit before deciding. See how it feels to be in the space with the appliances where they are, the amount of cabinet and counter space, etc. Post a picture here for us so we have a better idea of what you're starting with. There may be some inexpensive ways to fix it up using much of what you already have.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
For $5 to $8 k, you won't make much progress in a kitchen if it is both very old and very small. I would assume you would be proposing to make it larger (expensive) and well as going down to the studs with everything else. That can be $20k to $50 k (or more))
- MontuckyBil
- Contributions:2
Thank you everyone for the information. I'm literally going to be closing on my first house this week and have some extra cash aside for smaller projects. realistically i can only spend $5k-$8k. I have a dog (hence the fence) but the kitchen is tiny and very old. I don't need a super fancy kitchen either it just needs some 1/2 a century updates. I'm purchasing it from the original owners from 1950 and the kitchen is OLD...and did i mention small.
I think i'll get closer to a descision once i actually live there. But any additional thoughts would always be helpful.
- NTETS, "Mr Caveat"
- Contributions:6436
if it were me i would say that the value of a private back yard will depreciate far slower than the price of granite counter tops and new stainless appliances, but you have to live there so its your call. just an FYI that if you plan on leaving, do neither as your return will be low.
if you do either, my suggestion is to listen to sunny and control costs, and that doesn't mean going for the cheap manufactured granite that comes in 10mm slabs, it means getting the expensive granite out of a scrap heap. look for local distributors going out of business, look for custom cabinets that were returned(or better yet, just replace 1 or 2 cabinets&refinish them), look for things you can do yourself (for instance there are some great custom effects you can do with a tile backslash... preferable even to a granite one, IMO and way cheaper.) and look for ways to make the inexpensive look expensive(some molding can make a very traditional statement and look original if done right)
if you do either, my suggestion is to listen to sunny and control costs, and that doesn't mean going for the cheap manufactured granite that comes in 10mm slabs, it means getting the expensive granite out of a scrap heap. look for local distributors going out of business, look for custom cabinets that were returned(or better yet, just replace 1 or 2 cabinets&refinish them), look for things you can do yourself (for instance there are some great custom effects you can do with a tile backslash... preferable even to a granite one, IMO and way cheaper.) and look for ways to make the inexpensive look expensive(some molding can make a very traditional statement and look original if done right)
- Tiffany Bond, "TiffanyBond"
- Contributions:3010
Depends on your priorities. Do you like to run around in the nude? How ghetto is your kitchen?
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7298
With the average cost of doing a kitchen remodel running 8 to 15 k, that would be one heck of a fence!
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I would vote for the kitchen remodel. Keep your eye on the cost though. Everything is about price right now, so make sure that your budget is well thought out and controlled.
- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26854
If you are planning to enjoy the house for some time, then I'd figure out which one makes the better contribution to the quality of your life.
If you are planning on moving soon, then I'd not do either.
If you are planning on moving soon, then I'd not do either.
- SoccerShepard
- Contributions:211
Are you planning on moving? Kitchen remodel might be better. Thou in this market, 24 k gold floor, won't help you sell any faster.
should i spend $ on a large privacy fence or to remodel a kitchen first?
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