Comments on: Countertops: Why Kitchen Remodels Cost So Much http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/countertops-why-kitchen-remodels-cost-so-much a new studio, a new home Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:24:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: martin http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/countertops-why-kitchen-remodels-cost-so-much/comment-page-1#comment-150 martin Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:51:32 +0000 http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/?p=269#comment-150 Countertops ARE crazy expensive, but at least there is kind of a reason: they need to be really really durable because they are worked on and exposed to water, heat, etc every day. I ended up choosing concrete because it had a good earthiness to it and can be shaped and colored as one likes. It was quite expensive ($2000 more than a formica/plastic type) but it was worth it -- in a small building you want everything you touch to be worth touching. The other thing that people spend insane amounts of money on is cabinetry, in particular cabinet faces, and I think this is where people could really save. There's no reason that a kitchen needs to be a Versailles, with a magnificent facade of fancy doors. Personally I like simple open shelves like in a farmhouse. Just my $0.02. :) Countertops ARE crazy expensive, but at least there is kind of a reason: they need to be really really durable because they are worked on and exposed to water, heat, etc every day. I ended up choosing concrete because it had a good earthiness to it and can be shaped and colored as one likes. It was quite expensive ($2000 more than a formica/plastic type) but it was worth it — in a small building you want everything you touch to be worth touching.

The other thing that people spend insane amounts of money on is cabinetry, in particular cabinet faces, and I think this is where people could really save. There’s no reason that a kitchen needs to be a Versailles, with a magnificent facade of fancy doors. Personally I like simple open shelves like in a farmhouse. Just my $0.02. :)

]]> By: Shawn http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/countertops-why-kitchen-remodels-cost-so-much/comment-page-1#comment-14 Shawn Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:30:51 +0000 http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/?p=269#comment-14 Hey Brandon, Thanks for the support! I agree with you on the concrete comment. In fact, I have that book as well as Cheng's video. Both are excellent resources. I'm still considering doing the concrete countertops myself. Especially if we can get the building roughed in and protected from the elements. I can use the studio/shop to do the pour. My only reservation is about the reality of my time. Contractors move quickly, and it remains to be seen whether or not I'll be able to take the time to create the countertops and fit them into the overall schedule. At the end of the day, I'm approaching the countertops in a similar fashion to the casework. I'm going to finance and sub it out. If the project allows for me to step in and save some money, I definitely will do that. Both areas are great ways to save big money! Hey Brandon,

Thanks for the support!

I agree with you on the concrete comment. In fact, I have that book as well as Cheng’s video. Both are excellent resources.

I’m still considering doing the concrete countertops myself. Especially if we can get the building roughed in and protected from the elements. I can use the studio/shop to do the pour.

My only reservation is about the reality of my time. Contractors move quickly, and it remains to be seen whether or not I’ll be able to take the time to create the countertops and fit them into the overall schedule.

At the end of the day, I’m approaching the countertops in a similar fashion to the casework. I’m going to finance and sub it out. If the project allows for me to step in and save some money, I definitely will do that. Both areas are great ways to save big money!

]]> By: Brandon http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/countertops-why-kitchen-remodels-cost-so-much/comment-page-1#comment-13 Brandon Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:46:31 +0000 http://www.shawnbusse.com/private/houseblog/?p=269#comment-13 Shawn, Great blog for starters. I too work in the design business, I'm an Art Director at a firm in Philly called <a href="http://www.o3world.com" rel="nofollow">O3 World</a>, and I'm looking to build a new house/office as well. I saw your other post on the concrete/glass countertops. What about just normal concrete counter tops? They're far cheaper than granite, can be customized to suit just about any need, and they're not too terribly difficult to do yourself if you don't mind putting in some work. Check out this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Concrete-Countertops-Design-Finishes-Kitchen/dp/1561584843/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202438700&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">Concrete Countertops</a> for a lot of great info. Again great blog, I look forward to reading more. Shawn,
Great blog for starters. I too work in the design business, I’m an Art Director at a firm in Philly called O3 World, and I’m looking to build a new house/office as well. I saw your other post on the concrete/glass countertops. What about just normal concrete counter tops? They’re far cheaper than granite, can be customized to suit just about any need, and they’re not too terribly difficult to do yourself if you don’t mind putting in some work. Check out this book Concrete Countertops for a lot of great info. Again great blog, I look forward to reading more.

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