Agree with christina, spend on structure elements necessary for the kitchen as first priority. Other components can be added later. I don't think you're going to massage this by substituting products out on the porch, it's likely labor which is key here. As for cabinet substitutions, only you can decide how to balance "you get what you pay for." Is the money saved by going to a lower quality cabinet worth the gain out on the porch?

Without plans it's hard to discuss specifics.

I would agree. Do the kitchen, the other elements can be added later or downgraded even at a later time after you have time to research and decide. I would only focus on the kitchen at this point. I would suggest not making hasty decisions at this time. Kitchen first.

I am doing a full first floor remodel as well as doing deck, walk, ect. I am also prioritizing the kitchen, I priced out Brookhaven cabinets, and based on the exact same plan with a very similar door style the Brook haven came in about 5000.00 more than Shiloh, Medallion and Showplace. The Shiloh estimate includes free inset, glazing and distressing. I don't know if I am using the glazing or distressing, but I am probable going with Shiloh. 25% more is hard to swallow for a small kitchen, especially since I really thought the cabinets and finishes were very close. I did think the Brook haven was slightly nicer, but almost everything was an upgrade, and this was in the frameless line.

With only a 100K budget for this, there is no way that just cutting cabinets will be enough to get you where hou want to be. Go back to the drawing bard and don't move the kitchen, You have to substantially reduce the scope of the work of the project to get anywhere close to your budget.

Your awesome architect should have given you an idea of the cost. Have him/her redo the plans to cut total expense but also give you plans in phases, starting with the kitchen. And don't rely on the architect for the interior kitchen design.

" And don't rely on the architect for the interior kitchen design."

for sure don't rely on him/her! they are terrible on kitchens. post it here. Also, why moving to garage? What is it like now? size?

When we were in your position we went back to the architect and had him scale back the project. We also waited on the deck until a year after the kitchen was complete. Post your plans here, you will get great advice. Your deck materials seem very expensive. I would downgrade that rather than the cabinets you have chosen. You may also want to simplify the porch/deck design. Curves add $$$

Thanks for the replies. The architect thought our budget was sufficient. I truly do not wish to jump down to Kraftmaid from Brookhaven but it may be necessary. The exterior is clearly putting us over budget and I think you are all right (as well the architect who also said to wait) waiting to do exterior later is going to be a must. The current kitchen is 8x10. A 1920's service kitchen. We are expanding into garage as that is the best use of the space without adding an addition. The property values in this town took a big drop in recent years and we know we are not doing this to improve our home value but rather to be happy. However, I really can't justify spending too much more than 100-130K because of the fair market value of the house. Edited to remove jpeg that wouldn't open.

You definately want to redesign without moving the kitchen. Pay a contractorto double check the plans with him as feasably on track as you go along.

The plan opens for me but is unreadable.