Kitchen Appliances and Products

7. Expect Overlapping Prices.
When comparing different types of products, remember there's bound to be some crossover at one or both ends of the price range. In flooring, for example, basic laminate flooring is comparable to a moderately priced vinyl.

8. Figure in Installation Costs.
Installation significantly adds to the total cost of items such as kitchen cabinets, countertops, and flooring. For example, installation for some stone can run as much as two to three times the cost of the material. Add about half the price of the kitchen cabinets themselves for the installation.

9. Think About How Each Selection Affects the Next.
You may want, and could put to good use, a larger oven, for example. But if its size requires cabinetry and countertop reconfigurations, you'll be launching into a bigger and more expensive project.

10. Avoid Overbuying.
It may seem as though buying the most deluxe model or style will help you avoid having to replace it as your needs change, but you may regret your purchases before then. A refrigerator with a large freezer, for example, costs more initially than a standard size, and it's more expensive to operate. Plus, it needs to be at least half filled to work properly.

11. Look for Package Deals.
You may qualify for a builder's or remodeler's discount if you purchase cabinets and/or several appliances from the same supplier.

12. Check with a Professional.
Whether providing a few hours of consultation or overseeing an entire kitchen remodeling project, a designer can help you match your preferences in products with the design of your kitchen or bath. You'll save yourself some headaches and heartaches by finding out up front, for example, that a commercial-style range needs to be placed along an outside wall for ease in venting or that your bathroom floor must be able to hold the weight of a filled whirlpool tub.