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The hidden costs in kitchens are a lot of the little things. You can get quotes on cabinets and installs easily enough. But new sink, faucet, garbage disposal, appliances (if over the range microwave is moved), flooring and baseboard, cabinet pulls/hardware etc can easily add in another $7-10k. Choice of counters quartz your probably look at around 10k. Quartztite can easily be double. Painted cabinets or wood stained cabinets and wood choice differ a lot. I’m doing a kitchen remodel and I’m at about $55k without flooring. But did some custom cabinet sizes, removed soffits etc. Answer from Bay_Burner on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/kitchenremodel › hcol kitchen remodel cost (prices included)
r/kitchenremodel on Reddit: HCOL kitchen remodel cost (prices included)
February 27, 2025 -

Hi all, we are in discussions with a remodel company for our 13x9 kitchen. We have one other estimate which is a bit lower (but we didn’t like their vibe), have a third company coming out soon for another, but we liked these guys so wanted to get a gut check. Overall IMO, it seems fair except I am a bit hung up on the countertop fabrication and install cost.

Kitchen: 13x9 (45 sq feet of counter tops) Location: HCOL, west coast

  • Demo: $2,250

  • Kitchen install: $13,000 (Installation of cabinets, sink, appliances (existing), HVAC for built in microwave, hardware, clean up)

  • Cabinets estimate: $15,000 (semi custom)

  • Countertop fabrication and install: $10500

  • Quartz slab: $2-3k

  • Backsplash Install: $3k (+$500 for tile)

  • Kitchen electrical: $4k (Update outlets, under cabinet lights, electrical to island for microwave, add 3 pendant lights, add 2 can lights)

  • Paint ceiling: $2k (600 sq ft)

Overall: give or take $53k

Appreciate the input.

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I remodel homes and do everything in kitchens myself except for the countertops. I’m not going to question anything else since I think every estimate is high, but roughly $50K for an expensive area is probably reasonable. However, the quote for the countertops is ridiculous. The fabricator is charging $10,500 for labor, or $233/SF ($10,500/45 SF)? The $3K for the slab ($3,000/45 SF = $67/SF) seems like it should be enough for labor and materials. I paid $60/SF (materials and labor) for quartz that looks like calacatta marble in Chicago back in 2021. I paid $75/SF (materials and labor) for the same countertops in North Carolina back in 2022 - even though most my quotes in NC were closer to $100/SF. Are they doing something special for the countertops to charge that much? That price seems ridiculously high, but the rest of the estimate “seems reasonable” even though it’s a relatively small kitchen. Your quote is around $300/SF for quartz. That doesn’t make sense.
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We are mid remodel in Socal with similar dimensions but we are sourcing workers and aren't using a GC. We went with quartzite, $5k for 2 slabs and have 2 quotes for fabrication & install for $2900. It includes mitered edges, waterfall ledge behind sink up to window with ledge, undermount sink and 3 cutouts. We got a handful of recommendations from the slab yard. We bought from the yard before and their recommendation was great. All the quotes were around the same amount. Not apples to apples but some comparison for you. Ours is a similar size but a galley kitchen. One thing that caught my eye was ceiling paint for 2k. But I'm guessing it's an open room and there is a lot more than 13x9 to paint?
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/kitchenremodel › how much would a remodel like this cost?
r/kitchenremodel on Reddit: How much would a remodel like this cost?
September 24, 2024 -

Title . I live in the same floor plan as this house and would love to do this to my kitchen. Any idea how much a remodel like this would cost? Keeping my appliances. Don’t need custom cabinets (Home Depot/Lowes is great)

Note my current house has a wall where the kitchen opens up to the living room in the video. So would need to get that removed. Thank you!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/chicago › have you renovated your house in the last year?
r/chicago on Reddit: Have you renovated your house in the last year?
April 11, 2022 -

How much did something like your kitchen or bathroom cost? Right now real estate only seems affordable if you find something that needs work, but I have no idea how much a contractor would charge.

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I’ve been doing stuff for months and multiple of them. My prices are not permitted work and with someone who works on their own with helpers. If you go the completely legal and general contractor who’s got a whole team route, you will pay roughly 2.5-3x. My renovations have been Class A work. The contractor I use does also do the work right and with better materials. This is all full gut rehab. Kitchens of which are 10’x10’ and 14’x10’ have been between $15-$18k. That’s with granite countertops and all new appliances. Bathrooms of which are 8’x6’ have been between $6-$9k. Also with granite and custom cabinetry.
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We just completed a major renovation on a 1200sf condo. Typical condo, but reaaaallly tall ceilings (like 12-14 feet depending on where you are) Wood floors throughout - $20k with labor and good quality wood and cork underlay Painting throughout (ceiling, floors, doors, everything), including patching holes from seven (I’m not joking) TVs the former owner had hanging on the wall, and many other holes from other renovations - $6500 Kitchen renovation, not including appliances (remove all cabinets, and put in nice custom cabinets all the way to the top of the twelve foot ceilings, change out all lighting, put in a gorgeous stone countertop and extend out our bar) - $55k Other miscellaneous crap: New built-in custom bookshelf $5k New built in wardrobe $7k New built custom dining bankette with upholstery $10k All work done by licensed people with insurance. We used an interior architect who had her own contacts for all the work. The worst part is getting materials - some are just not available right now. Happy to answer any questions! Fixing electrical and lighting throughout $7k Edit: forgot to say - if you’re looking at condos, they basically all require licensed and insured teams, and have constraints on hours and elevator use. Obviously not a problem with a single family home, though! Good luck!!
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/kitchenremodel › kitchen remodel estimate
r/kitchenremodel on Reddit: Kitchen Remodel Estimate
August 27, 2024 -

Just purchased my first home and we’re looking to do a complete remodel of our kitchen. We’ve met with several contractors and have been consistently been given estimates in the $50-$70k range. I know there’s a lot of variables in play in terms quality of materials, replacing all appliances, etc.

We received a more formal quote (picture included), and I’m looking for some guidance on if these prices seem reasonable or are heavily inflated.

Here’s some additional context:

This estimate doesn't include anything for materials (cabinets/floor/counters)/appliances... all of that we purchase on our own or with them (at the cost they get it for)

Kitchen is small/medium

This does include them raising the kitchen ceiling ~8 inches to be flush with the living room ceiling that is a connected room

This does include them replacing our 100w electrical panel to 200w; instead of giving us a "discount" on the final quoted price, he offered the electrical panel + raising the ceiling as mentioned above as the discount... which seems pretty solid, but not if all the costs in the attached picture are massively inflated

$10,000 for demo seems crazy

We will need to pay for the permits out of pocket as they will be doing plumbing/pipe electrical adjustments

Any insight or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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This breakdown is very confusing to me and feels heavily inflated if it really doesn't include materials. $6K to install countertops?! We just purchased Silestone Quartz countertops through Home Depot, and spent $3.5K which included the actual countertop and installation for a ~ 9 ft X 9 ft u-shaped kitchen. All in, we spent ~36K to do a rip and replace renovation (ie. all new drywall, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and appliances, but didn't move any plumbing or electrical). We bought materials ourselves for around $20K for semi-custom cabinets (KraftMaid), Quartz countertop, mid-range tile for flooring and backsplash, and mid-range stainless steal appliances. We then paid a contractor to do all the work. Labor was around $16K which included all the demolition. I'm pretty sure we got a real steal on our labor/contractor because he was a family friend, but still, this estimate seems all sorts of confusing for not including the actual materials.
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Disclaimer: I don't know prices out your way in San Diego, I'm in Pennsylvania so take that into account. Your costs might be 5-10% higher out there. That being said... I am a kitchen remodeling contractor, I do all the carpentry work and subcontract the electrical, plumbing, hvac, and countertops. Most of my kitchens land around $60,000-75,000 and that includes me providing the cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures, appliances - essentially everything. That's for a decent sized kitchen. That being said I know nothing about yours, or how it looks. Other factors to consider that will greatly effect the price - are you moving or removing walls? Moving fixtures or appliances like the sink or a gas range? Are they updating all of your electrical circuits to arc faults? There are so many different factors to account for. If they're not providing cabinets and countertops, that's about $15,000-20,000 right there for good quartz counters and solid wood cabinets with soft-close doors and drawers. Also consider, they're raising your ceiling and upgrading your panel, that's got to cost them at least $5,000. Ending with a small final payment is common practice. It's not to inconvenience our clients, but rather it's a smart way to manage cash flow since we're buying materials up front, paying our subs, and our own employees. That's also why you're seeing big numbers like $10,000 for demo up front. If we end the job and leave a lot of money on the table for the final payment that positions us at a huge disadvantage with cash flow which can cause a lot of problems in smaller companies like my own. Considering everything I've said, you should really pay close attention to how they conduct themselves. Do they have detailed plans with specifications and selections (so you know exactly what you're getting)? Do they have a detailed scope of work to accompany the proposal (this will break down the details of each job phase)? Do they have a lot of great reviews? Are the salesmen polite and show up to appointments on time? Do they have good contracts (mine are usually 20 pages) that protect BOTH of you? Have they explained when they'll show up and leave your house on a normal workday? Will they work every weekday until the project's complete, or hop around from job to job and leave you stranded? Do they handle the carpentry work or sub it out? Does their contract mention leaving the worksite clean every day? Did they give you a 3 day right of recission (legally required)? Hopefully this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/kitchenremodel › wtf $75k remodel estimate
r/kitchenremodel on Reddit: wtf $75k remodel estimate
April 1, 2024 -

My 2009 kitchen needs a remodel. (No! Not my design, we bought last year!) It isn’t a large kitchen and I will keep basically same layout. Same floor. Larger island. Transform that stupid “desk” to cabinet space and get rid of that stone monstrosity. I went to a local highly rated kitchen & bath remodel place for an estimate. He didn’t ask my budget. Estimate (includes appliances) $75k, which is more than a lot of the houses around here go for. The designer said it wouldn’t be much less to reface the cabinets (which are great quality and excellent condition). I really wanted to spend only about half that (not including appliances). Am I dreaming?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › kitchen remodel- is 20k impossible? or am i delusional...
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Kitchen remodel- is 20K impossible? Or am I delusional...
April 2, 2021 -

We really want to remodel our kitchen, but the quotes we are getting seem to be really high. (We live in NJ)

We were hoping to keep it under $20K.

-New cabinets, backsplash, countertop, flooring (Layout does not need to be changed)

-Only appliance that needs to be replaced is the fridge

-Our kitchen is small too- we have 5 cabinets and a small island

First company told us $35-40K and flooring is an additional $15K. They were super professional though and high end.

Second company was not as professional, barely gave any details and said their kitchen renos usually START at $50K. He talked about demoing our whole kitchen. Taking it down to the studs/ adding insulation etc.

Third company wants us to measure the kitchen ourselves first and we haven’t gotten around to that yet 😭😭😭

-Why do we need to demo our kitchen if we aren’t changing anything electrical or plumbing?

-We bought our house for $315K. I don’t think it’s worth it to spend more than $20-25K on just a kitchen renovation

-We wanted an easy remodel and to get a company to help take care of the process, but I’m willing to just buy the cabinets, countertop, etc and have a contractor we trust install it for us and manage the installation ourselves.

Thanks for the advice!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/twincities › kitchen remodel price!
r/TwinCities on Reddit: Kitchen remodel price!
August 13, 2022 -

Hey all. I’m looking for honest, candid disclosures of prices paid for a kitchen remodel on a home similar to mine.

My house was built in 1925. The kitchen is approximately 8x13. I’ve had three estimates over the last couple of years coming in at $50-80k. This is for new cabinets/counter, floor, and possible ceiling.

I’m finding it terribly hard to accept these prices as true and real for remodeling a kitchen like mine. Am I living in a fantasy world thinking I should be paying $30k or less?

I’m attaching pics of the kitchen as-is today.

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Sweeten
sweeten.com › home › blog › home renovation cost guides › how much should you budget for a chicago kitchen remodel in 2025?
How Much Should You Budget for a Chicago Kitchen Remodel in 2025?
November 14, 2025 - Based on national averages, for a typical, medium-sized space (120 sqft), a full, rip-and-replace kitchen remodel in Chicago will range from $23,500 to $101,000 and up, depending on finishes.
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reddit.com › r/bayarea › kitchen remodel cost
r/bayarea on Reddit: Kitchen remodel cost
February 13, 2024 -

We are remodeling our kitchen in east bay . The kitchen is quite small 12*12 , and we are doing tiles on the floor . The contractor feels that if we need to get the permit (as the electrical is not up to the code) we will spend extra . Given my past experiences with insurance I want to get the permits for kitchen remodel .

He is asking for 35k for labor ( install cabinets, flooring for 400sq ft , electrical.. ). If you add material we are looking at 60k remodel . Is this fair in Bay Area currently for this size of kitchen.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeowners › contractor estimated 150k for a kitchen remodel...is this in the normal range?
r/homeowners on Reddit: Contractor estimated 150k for a kitchen remodel...is this in the normal range?
May 18, 2023 -

My wife and I bought house in Eastern NC in 2021 for 310k. It is probably worth 400-425k now. The home is in good condition but the kitchen is dated. The kitchen is original to the house and was built in the late 1980s. We are working with a contractor who is known for her work on luxury homes in the area. She probably is used to working with homes that are 400k-1M in value, which is high end in our area. At our first meeting, we told her that we hope to keep the kitchen renovation budget to 60k. It is a full gut job. Ideally, cabinets, flooring, lighting, and countertops would be replaced, but no walls need to be moved or anything.Yesterday, the contractor told us that she is waiting on a couple more firm estimates from subs, but that she expects the project to cost 150k. We told her that there is no way we could even close to that and that is way out of our budget.Am I wrong here for thinking that 60k could get us close to a full kitchen remodel? Do I need to adjust my expectations? Or, is 150k for a kitchen model as absurd as it sounds to me?

Edit: Thank you all for the insight and diverse perspectives! We can't afford 150k on a kitchen reno so you don't have to worry about us spending that amount of money on this project! We are in a LCOL area about 60 miles from Raleigh NC. I have not been provided with any formal quotes yet from the contractor so I don't yet know what is driving up the cost. The contractor has not yet given us different options for different types of materials which I am learning can make a world of difference in terms of price. She essentially told us the types of materials/finishes we would want without discussing pricing. The quote did include custom cabinets, but I was not told what type of materials would be used; apparently high-end haha. I am most frustrated that we were up front about our budget/expectations, but then her estimate was 3x as much without any conversation along the way.

Moving forward, I plan to adjust my expectations; 60k could be low but 150k is waaay too high. I will request formal quotes from her and the subcontractors she plans to use so I am better informed. I will ask the contractor to get me different estimates for various aspects of the job from different subs and/or different materials. I may also be looking for a new contractor to see what someone else can come up for us in our budget range.

Edit 2: This post got a decent amount of attention. Thanks for all the thoughts and anecdotes. After about 2 years from this post, our kitchen remodel is finished! We ended up shopping contractors and got some better prices. We remodeled the kitchen as well as the adjoining half-bath and laundry room. All in we spent $74,500. This got us custom cabinets, paint, trim, new appliances, electrical, plumbing, countertop, and flooring. We tried to save some money in a few areas. We went with a tile-looking LVT rather than tile (saved about $8,000), countertops, and appliances. I've seen others spend tons on high-end appliances. We've been happy with out GE, fingerprint resistant black slate appliances and spent about $5,000 on fridge, dishwasher, and oven. Hope this info helps anyone who visits this post. Kitchen remodels are expensive and a bear. My advice is to make your budget, take your time, and find a contractor you feel comfortable with.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/remodel › how much would you charge for this in the northwest suburbs of chicago?
r/Remodel on Reddit: How much would you charge for this in the northwest suburbs of Chicago?
October 8, 2024 - The demo the prep, and the tile work, anything else, this is a real project and you have a lot of responsibility. $4500 is bare minimum. But given the scope I think it’s about right.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/marin › how much can i expect to be quoted for a full kitchen remodel?
r/Marin on Reddit: How much can I expect to be quoted for a full kitchen remodel?
September 21, 2024 -

Obviously, a lot of the pricing will depend on specifics, but I'm trying to get the roughest sense of what kind of numbers I'll be hearing. It's not a massive kitchen, but it likely has not been renovated since our house was built in 1948. We need new cabinets, new flooring, everything. We live in northern Marin and are considering reaching out to contractors in Petaluma/Santa Rosa because we think they will be more competitively priced.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeowners › ikea kitchen labor cost estimates
r/homeowners on Reddit: IKEA Kitchen Labor Cost Estimates
March 7, 2024 -

guys! we moved into a new house almost a year ago ... recently evaluated our options and settled with a renovation plan for our 40 yr old 200 sqft kitchen with Ikea cabinets. We designed the kitchen using IKEA kitchen planner. I've got a total of 3 quotes and 2 of those are specific to IKEA kitchen installation labor costs with some add-on work, such as, flooring, electrical work, outside venting hood, etc. I am providing the lower-end estimate below (see Table) and wondering if you see any gaps or ways to reduce cost further down or opportunities for negotiations. I know I may be able to accomplish some of the listed work myself but DIY might be a long shot given my demanding job and other family responsibilities.

DescriptionQtyTotal $
Demo: Removal of existing cabinets, counter tops, paneling, soffits11,500
Patch: Patch the walls in preparation for cabinet installation/painting1400
Tile: Installation of new tile floor (customer to supply backer board, thin set,tiles and grout) 200 sq ft11,400
Kitchen cabinets installation223,950
Electric work: Installation of under cabinet lighting1200
Electric work: Installation of new dedicated line for microwave and island outlet1350
Electric work: installation of new GFI outlets4480
Electric: installation of recessed lighting fixture ( customer to supply fixtures )6720
Electric: Installation of new pendant lights3360
back splash: Installation of new tile back splash including hood area (customer to supply tiles and grout) 40 sq ft11,000
Install duct work for vent hood1300
Install and connect sink and faucet (including new valves) , dishwasher, vent hood1950
Removal of all trash/debris associated with the project1600
Grand Total:12,210

Note that the IKEA kitchen cabinets may cost another $10k, tiles may cost around $2k, and kitchen appliances, including refrigerator, dishwasher, range, lighting, sink, etc. may end up being an additional $5 to 6k. So, overall, I am looking at $30k for the entire renovation.

Any advice or insight to keep down the overall cost would be appreciated :)

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Block Renovation
blockrenovation.com › guides › a-complete-guide-to-kitchen-renovation-costs-in-chicago
The Complete Guide to Kitchen Renovation Costs in Chicago
October 14, 2025 - Labor costs for a kitchen remodel in Chicago typically range from $75 to $150 per hour, depending on the project's scope and the professionals involved.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › quoted 100k + for kitchen renovation
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Quoted 100k + for kitchen renovation
October 1, 2016 -

I live in a modest home in an affluent neighborhood. We were hit hard by the housing market crash, and just never recovered. In fact, it's probably worse.

My house has dropped value significantly since I bought it in 2005.

There is no way we can sell it, as no one will want this house the way it is. So we thought we would make it a better house for us.

We wanted to start by renovating the kitchen. It's a 1950s house and has never been updated.

The problem is we were quoted 100k (and maybe more once everything is bought) for what we want done.... Is this a really bad decision for us to do?

We are doing things like- opening walls to the dining room, and changing flooring, and all the cabinets, and lighting... but it still seems like 100k is too much for a modest house and kitchen.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/interiordesign › kitchen reno - $94,000?
r/InteriorDesign on Reddit: Kitchen Reno - $94,000?
August 2, 2022 -

Need a sounding board. I am looking to renovate my kitchen. Not changing the layout other than expanding one wall into an existing room to create a pantry. I intend to update bottom cabinets, put shelves instead of uppers, and update the island. The water line for the sink and gas line will remain in the same location. The bottom cabinets will be all drawers with nothing special inserted. Is $94,000 a reasonable price? This quote does NOT include appliances (range, hood, fridge, freezer, or microwave). Flooring stays the same.

Edit 1: Thanks for all of the feedback. I do live in a HCOL area (Northern VA). The home is newer and everything is up to code, so I don't forsee any issues arising. Once the area is opened, I’m looking at approximately 405 sqft. However, much of the newly acquired space will be devoted to a dedicated pantry and will not have any new cabinetry. I did have another quote from Block Renovation for ~$125k—not including appliances—which also did not encompass building a space for a pantry. Overall, based on the chosen materials, mainly custom KraftMaid cabinets and quartz countertops, I think the quote may be justified. Thanks again guys!

Once I decide to go forth with this renovation I will post before and after photos.

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Premier Remodeling
24-7premier.com › home › the 6 kitchen remodel costs in chicago
The 6 Kitchen Remodel Costs In Chicago
December 13, 2024 - Labor costs typically comprise a significant portion of the kitchen remodel expenses. Hiring skilled professionals such as contractors, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters is crucial to ensure a successful and safe renovation. These experts bring their expertise to various aspects of the project, from installing cabinets and countertops to electrical wiring and plumbing. The labor costs can vary depending on the complexity of the remodel and the professionals’ experience and reputation.
Price   $$
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/kitchenremodel › sticker shock
r/kitchenremodel on Reddit: Sticker Shock
April 13, 2024 -

HI - I'm curious if someone could help me understand if I have a reasonable quote for a full kitchen remodel. I live in the Chicago area, and it would be a full gut that includes kitchen, dining room, and a laundry area.

Total Bid: approx. $75,000

Breakdown:

  • $32,000 Cabinets + Quartz Countertops (includes personalized cabinets in kitchen and dining room)

  • $6,000: Vinyl Floor Planks + Backsplash + Sink/Faucet

  • $6,000: All new appliances (basics, but what we want - long lasting - includes fridge, stove, microwave/air fryer, and washer/dryer)

  • $31,000: All the work related to this including:

    • remove & dispose of all existing cabinets, countertops, drywall

    • bump a wall out 1 foot and build out

    • do canned lights in ceiling, add 3 outlets

    • Run new duct for stove vent

    • Reinsulate, drywall, mud, sand, paint

    • Install new cabinets in kitchen and dining room - includes trim and hardware

    • Install vinyl plank flooring

    • Insure plumbing is set for laundry area (moving up from basement to first floor)

    • Install shelf + double door for laundry area

    • Trim doors, base, and shoe

    • add plumbing after counters installed

    • install backsplash

I have asked for details on what materials we would be responsible for tin the last area vs. what is included to be Crystal clear.

Is this reasonable?