I have no advice for you but wrote to commiserate. We don't even have our final plans drawn up from the architect and I'm appliance surfing. I figure, if I find something at a great price... let's say I can save $1000 on a single item; then I'd go for it IF and here's the big if... it's one of those manufacturer's that don't start the warranty until after installation. I've narrowed down my appliance choices but can't get much feedback on one of my single wall oven choices (DCS) and am flipping about on refrigeration. I can't believe I"m actually considering spending 7K on a box to keep food cold. I'm waiting to see the new 240 Advantiums and apparently am spending waaayyyy too much time pondering these things!

DH told me the other day, just pick one, if reliability is good, buy it and be done! I said, ''It is obvious you don't cook!'' Our appliances are mid-range: Electrolux oven, Bosch DW, Miele cooktop. Savings would be a $200 -300. I'm not sure it is worth the risk.

You are going for really nice appliances. For $1,000 savings it may be worth it!

Cotehele, here's my two cents' worth.
I've decided that the kitchen should be planned around the appliances, not the cabinets, since it's the fridge/oven/etc that differentiate the kitchen from other rooms in the house, not the cabs. I purchased the "important" appliances (range, fridge) before placing the cab order, because my KD/cab co planned cabs around those spaces. The range sat in my garage for 4 months but I started using the fridge the moment it was delivered because I hated the Reagan era POS fridge so much. Most DWs are one standard size, so you can wait on that decision.
As far as I'm concerned the warranty card should not be sent in, and the warranty clock should not start ticking, until the appliance is installed.

I also tried to "time" purchases around major holidays, so July 4 seems like a good time to run amok. I also did all the obvious things like buy at Best Buy to get reward points, used a Visa that gave me reward certificates, etc. If you're spending $10-20K on appliances, you should at least get $100-200 back to treat yourself at the spa in the middle of the remodistress! :)

Finally, I purchased my Thermador on Ebay -- $3700 instead of $7000.

We purchased our appliances at the end of last year because of Thanksgiving and end of year sales. We saved $1200 by taking advantage of the sales. We had delayed delivery. One thing to do though is get the installation guide for cabinet guy/designers/GC, etc. to review as they need the exact specs. Good Luck!

I had to have my appliances/sink selected before my cabinet people would do a finished drawing to send to their shop.

Ditto what blue said....to a degree. In most cases, I think the cabinets will and should outlive your appliances. I fudged on my 'wave because those stupid things aren't standard in any dimension and I don't want to have to rebuild my kitchen when I get a new one. I also had the cab co fudge on the range. I sooo _want_ a Fratelli, but am still afraid to order it as it's so new to the states. Strangely, it's a little over an inch more narrow than "standard", so I had them base the stove width on a Delonghi instead.

I wanted to keep my options open until it was time to need them. It's a lot of expense I wouldn't want to regret to take advantage of a sale (which come up all the time). Something may come out with new features you'd like, or, like me, you may realize you had a priority you let slide in the process of all the design plans. I became enamored with induction and 'finalized' my plan with a 36" cooktop in mind...But after the dust settled a bit, realized one of my long-time desires that I'd accidentally let go in the excitement was to have 4 or more large burners...Not possible in a 36" induction unit. So I'm glad I didn't jump to buying appliances too early.

I've bought all of my appliances; however, the store I bought them from will not deliver until I call them and give them a date..so that helps with the storage issue. Also, if there's a change, it's easy to make. With regard to price, most stores will give you the lower price if the item is reduced or is less expensive somewhere else. In my case, I bought a couple of items that don't seem to ever go down in price, but a few may. So you may want to find out if there is an appliance store who will work with your schedule..

I do understand how you feel though..this whole process is overwhelming.

I agree that getting appliances first is best, as the cabinets need to be designed around the appliances, not the other way around. And for warranty issues, from really BAD experiences, I can tell you that Sears starts counting the warranty from DELIVERY date, not installation! Luckily, Bosche as a manufacturer is much more reasonable- warranty starts the date of installation, and they'll be so kind as to believe you about that date when you call to tell them how horrible Sears is! :)

I did, of course, plan for the appliances I wanted...36" for fridges, 30" for oven, etc...and had in mind what I would have. I wouldn't have wanted to feel tied to one appliance months after purchase when there might have been a better choice present itself in the meanwhile. I felt like that was one advantage of waiting for my kitchen...and delays became a positive if they gave the opportunity for details to be worked out for the better. I was constantly vigilant to make sure my choices were the best I could manage for myself, both in price and function. I suppose it depends on how long ahead of the project you are. A couple months is different than a year or two.

I"m close to a year out from installing my appliances. Haven't even finalized plans with the architect yet. I know my appliance sizes and checked specs on several different brands I"m interested in so I can adequately plan for the electrical. I'm forever researching and check for "off the scale" great deals just in case; but don't plan on purchasing items till I get closer. I'll keep checking 'cause you never know if you'll find that floor model perfect condition frig whose warranty won't start until installation for a huge discount. In that case... OH YEA... I'd buy now and hold onto it.

I planned my kitchen around the Lacanche, and the other around an Aga, so I purchased those when I was ready, far earlier than the cabs (i haven't even started on the aga kitchen). Personally...I'd purchase now because I read here all the time....my X didn't fit...blah blah...well if you didn't have X on site, they couldn't plan around it could they? You need specs and appliances in hand as early as possible to really plan a kitchen well (IMO). And besides...what's the difference...you either buy it now or later, but eventually you have to pick one...so just do it ;) that extra 1/2 inch in a fridge could cost you hundreds or thousands in cabinet changes...if you have it and provide the specs, it won't cost you..it will cost your cabinet folks.

BKO, appliances do make the kitchen unique, and so does the activity of the room: cooking, cleaning, baking, prep. For me, the final design is like putting together a puzzle. All the pieces have to fit together for a pretty picture. All the choices are effected by the declining budget, too. Cabinets are the most expensive item, and ours will be here to stay. Appliances, sink, faucets, lights and countertops are a more doable upgrades. The oven has been the hardest choice. I need a decent oven now and plan to add a second oven later: double oven stack, two single ovens, one built-in oven and one countertop oven... convection, speed cook, steam oven... I think I've decided on specific appliances. I can see the reason for buying them now; it ensures the dimensions will not change with a new model after the cabinets are ordered. I'm glad it worked out for you. Your kitchen is looking so good!

ngng, the online installation guides have been a lifesaver for dimensions and cutouts.

smilingjudy, good luck with your future Fratelli! I agree, cabinets have a longer life than appliances; it's impossible to plan for every possible contingency.

rhome, I'm with you on this one. Too much expense and possibly regret later. I started planning with DF range in mind. All the comments about induction made me curious enough to buy a countertop unit. I love it. Finding one that has all the features I want has been a challenge. If I'd purchased the DF I was so sure I wanted, I wouldn't be happy now. So I will stifle the voice to buy now and save, even though I probably could rationalize it for my birthday.

marlene, bargaining is not one of my talents. Either the appliances I want are available at only one store, or they are excluded from the weekend sales.

cotehele..I can't bargain either...never could..I'm the only person I know who buys cars at sticker price. Car salesmen love me...

There are times to mull over and research and windowshop, and there are times when ya just gotta stop thinking and start signing your name on a contract/check. Sometimes the wrong decision is better than no decision at all. You'll know when it's time to make that decision when you get there (if you recognize that you're there).

Wow, I'm too philosophical tonight :)

I don't think you can even order your cabinets unless you know the detailed specifications and measurements of your appliances. Many appliance specification PDFs are available online, but my cabinet guy wanted the ones that accompany the appliances in their shipping boxes OR a 100% guarantee of measurements from the appliance vendor. We ultimately went with the latter guarantee; if anything went wrong, it would be the appliance store's responsibility.

Picking out appliances was one of the top headaches of my renovation. We kept going round-and-round with choices....the pros and cons of each literally drove me nuts. Like BKO noted above, sometimes you just need to take the plunge and get it done. That way, you can move on to the next choice that will drive you nuts (backsplash, granite, etc, etc,) :)

Just a caution - buying too early an cause you problems - some manufacturers won't let you wait until installation to start the warranty. Some people don't notice shipping damage until it's too late to claim it and the warranty won't cover it. Damage can occur to the appliances while they're being stored. It's reasonable to get the appliances a bit early particularly if you're getting a good deal but I wouldn't recommend buying them a year in advance, for example.

I was just going to write what Weissman said, but she beat me to it. You need to check and not assume about when the clock starts ticking on the warranty. Just cause you fill out the card when it's installed doesn't mean that's when the warranty starts. The fine print on the warranty may stipulate nevertheless that the clock starts ticking on delivery, not installation nor upon receipt of the warranty card.

Also, regarding 4th of July sales - there's ALWAYS another sale. Don't be pressured by a sale. There'll be a "Dog Days of Summer Sale", then a "Labor Day Sale" then a "Thanksgiving Day Sale" and on and on. And meanwhile, year-round, the prices on the internet are usually cheaper than any "sale" price locally, if you are willing to risk an on-line order for a big ticket item like an appliance.

The other issue with buying very early is, as we TKO people know, that your taste and wants may change as your kitchen design evolves. For example, I regret my fridge SxS configuration, and wish I'd gotten a bottom-door fridge instead. But I'd already bought the fridge before I changed my mind. It's not the end of the world, but my advice is not to make choices TOO early. Having said that, don't wait too late either, cause you don't want your contractor there, cooling his heels and waiting to install appliances that are on backorder. This lead time thing is a fine line to tread!

hey akchicago - I'm a "he" not a "she" :-)

Oh, my bad Weissman! Sorry. I think I am a sexist cause I assume everyone on this Forum is a "she". Funny, cause I've "known" you for several years!

I agree about picking appliances before making cabinet selections. However, once picked, they should be ordered at the same time as the cabinets. Our GC has seen too many instances of appliances being discontinued, & then the homeowner has major problems trying to find a replacement to fit the cabinet space that was designed for it.

My kitchen was planned for standard size appliances. I was still researching as the remodel was underway. One day the contractor said -- order your appliances now so we are sure to have them when we can install them. Eeek!

I so I had over-researched the fridge and ended up buying the range, micro and dw in a bit of a rush. I am happy with the Bosch dw, less so with the GE Profile range. The range is okay but I got black. I should have spent the extra $$ for stainless.

So decide what you want and don't look back. If you see a great price and have room to store it, go for it.

Gosh, I posted last night and didn't look back! Sorry. There are definitely two trains of thought on purchasing appliances. I'm sure buying the sales works out for some folks. If an appliance had a long lead time, like i-chic's beautiful french range, ya have to order early. We've decided to wait. The custom cabinet maker we are likely to use doesn't start constructing the cabinets until the drywall is installed so he can get exact measurements. It seems like a good time to buy appliances just before he finalizes the cabinet order. We have no storage space: one tiny garage a small car squeezes into and a wet basement. Paying for storage would soon use any money we saved on the sale price.

We had our appliances chosen, but not ordered, when we ordered the cabinets. Like others here, our KD needed our appliance dimensions before she designed the cabinets around it. Our fridge and DW were both "standard width", so we shouldn't have any trouble when it comes time to replace both. (We did not replace them in this remodel.) The range and OTR MW were new and the kitchen designed around them - but honestly, the range is also standard sized.

I ordered both in the AUGUST sales, not July. Be aware that many places have a delivery time, so find out (as you price them) what that is. My range took about 4 weeks to be delivered, but my OTR MW came in within 10 days. My range arrived the day before my GC needed it for installation!

DonnaR/CA

A point that I forgot when I posted before: As others have correctly pointed out, the cab people need the exact dimensions of the appliances when cutting. I wanted to have everything on hand before cabs arrived (and succeeded). However, the mistake I made was not having the cab people re-measure using the actual, physical appliances and not the mfr specs. My MW was 1/16" of an inch bigger than Panasonic said it would be, which caused some aggravation as you might have seen on other posts. HTH.

Cotehele - What did you decide on for appliances? This whole decision thing is just killing me, since I've read a lot of negative reviews on several appliance lines. I just want to make a decision and get it over with so I can go onto the next step in picking out kitchen materials.

BKO-I hope your experience with size variation is unusual! What a pain in the..

marley- With so many choices, finding reliable appliances that have the features and functions needed at a reasonable price was tough. Last summer the refrigerator was replaced with the Samsung Quatro. I haven't seen one recently, maybe they don't make them anymore. It is just what I hoped. I love the temperature flexibility of the bottom two drawers. The DW is a Bosch-500 series Integra. Cooktop is Miele 36'' induction. It has good size and power burners and individual turn-off timers. The oven is a single 27'' Electrolux. I like the glide racks and it is a good compromise between 24'' and 30''. There are just two of us; we don't need a large oven. Good luck browsing!

hi cotehele,

just want to chime in with my 2 cents which echos what others have said: you should pick your appliances prior to placing your cabinet order. The cabinet maker should need to know model numbers so that they can double check how much space is needed for proper door swing of fridge (for instance in my sitch, the GE Monogram fridge requires a 3" filler next to the hinge so that it can open all the way).

also, I had to let the contractor know model numbers so that his plumber and electrician could put the gas line and electrical outlet in the proper spot (in my case, with appliances being built-in there is a high level of precision on placement of the utilities and these needed to be put in when the walls were open and before the insulation was blown in and dry wall put on so fairly early on in the process...).

I downloaded multi page pdf files from the internet to give to the electrician and plumber to allow them to do their job properly.

the cabinet maker just required model numbers and then they did all of their own homework.

depending on how built in your kitchen will be you should probably order the appliances before placing the cabinet order.