Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

[Amiens]

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

I think the gal that came and did our estimate said the trip is free for up to an hour drive away, and then beyond that there is a small charge. The amount of money we saved on blinds paid for our membership and more. We save a good chunk of change. I would check into it.

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

Might be worth calling to ask before you buy a membership. I'm trying to remember if I saw an area within a certain mileage requirement.

[DCJenn]

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

First, congrats!

Second- this is one of those times where you need to have 1) a Consumer Reports membership 2) a membership to Angie's List and 3) the BBB saved to your favorites online.

Research, research, research. Remember, much like wedding gowns, cars and husbands, what you think you like/want may not be what you decide you have to have in the end.

Another great research opportunity- IKEA. It's definitely worth the drive to be able to touch the various finishes, see colors and get ideas. Also, as Luanne said, Lowe's and Home Depot and any kitchen and bath places are also worth a stroll.

Think about how YOU cook and clean and entertain. Eliminate materials based on how you will use it. After all, you and I (families of two/three) use our appliances much differently than those of us who have lots of kids. We can get away w/ smaller European appliances for example. Granite and silestone have definite advantages but think about how you will be cooking on it. I can roll out cookie dough on my silestone and it's better than marble. Ask EVERYONE for their opinions. (Pets take a toll on wood floors and so do kids. Matte finishes ROCK)

and honestly, enjoy. I have redone every kitchen and the floors of every house I've ever owned, except this one. I actually kind of missed it this time.

Jenn

[Flynn]

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

Re: granite...when we did our kitchen, we went with granite. I love it - BUT- after going to the tour of homes I was introduced to concrete. One house (one of those mc masions) had the whole kitchen done in stained concrete. The stuff looked absolutely gorgeous - they had even created a bench seat by the mud room. You can choose colors/textures and it is less $$ too . Wish I had known about it before doing our kitchen. I like it so much that I may re-do the bathrooms with it some day when I am ready to have parts of my house torn up again.

This depends on where you live. The "newer" stuff was MUCH more expensive to get where we live than marble and granite. We wanted Cesar Stone for counter tops BUT where we live it was almost 40% more -- nobody did concrete anything so we'd have to contract out of a larger city which meant much more $$$.

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

Here is the website for Costco
blinds: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgro ... opnav=&s=1

Carpet:http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1



I can't find a link for the counters. I'm sure they still offer it but I'll check next time I'm at a store. I think they offer other products like the Silestone and Ceaserstone in addition to granite.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

Nellie, thanks for the links. Wow, I didn't even know Costco does wine cellars and closet systems. The new house just makes it under 25 mile radius, so we should be in the clear. I'll get on it on Monday.

We've looked into Ceasarstone and concrete but it's a lot more expensive here than granite, so I think we'll be going with that. DH is getting all the recommendations from work, so we can always go and visit before booking anyone. A number of names have been recommended by several people separately, so I'll start with pricing out those. Angie's list isn't very big here because I think most people still pass info by word of mouth. As for the flooring, both of us have grown up with hardwood and I find it a lot easier to take care of than carpeting. The house currently has old reclaimed wood planks on the first floor, so I'll be hunting around for similar old/aged stuff and won't have to worry about it getting worn out as it'll come that way already.

Re: Clueless new homeowner - Question #1

I forgot about the closet systems. I haven't seen them in person but have been happy with everything else. I second the suggestion made elsewhere about the Elfa closets from The Container Store. You could have a handyman install those. If you look at the wine fridge stuff, let me know. That is on our list.