After looking at the layout, if it was Shiloh it wouldn't shock me but what do I know! You have more cabinets than I thought. It will be a beautiful kitchen. I know that they told me that 1 pantry was $4,000, then the refrigerator pantry was another $2,500. That seems crazy I know that was my first quote. That wasn't even any other cabinets. I guess it also depends on what kind of cabinets you asked for. I ran into this problem too. They thought I wanted inset and those were the most expensive they said because you have to get the upgrades for the cabinets to fit or work right. I may not be using the right terms, but thats what they said. I ended up like I said with the eclipse style and the price is already included with all the upgrades because thats the way they come. They ended up the same price anyway, but I did go with less pantries. I just had a closet pantry built instead. Good Luck!

As a gc I agree with Harmoni. Proposals (not general estimates) should include products, sizes, samples, colors, modifications, scope of project and even where to put the pets during the work. That way the gc will know what will make you happy when the projects is completed.

Kristin,

Good to hear that you have a written quote for the majority of the work. Of course you can ask for a written firm quote for the electrical and plumbing work or anything else that's not included for that matter. A few hundred can quickly become a lot more, especially if they think they are on a time and materials basis. That will for sure slow them down and cost you more. If they are not willing to give you a written quote, then say you will hire someone else to do the work. It's your house, so you decide who does the work, but have it in writing to protect yourself.

Making poplar into cabinets doesn't magically make it harder. The paint can and will chip with the wood is dented by impact. In an old home where you want a lived in look, that's probably a plus. If you are a newer adult household that is not hard on things, it may not matter much. If you are a household with active kids, it matters. It matters a lot.

Poplar is a good wood choice for painting. In fact, it's probably the most used wood species for painted baseboards and door casings in quality homes and even in commercial construction. If it can hold up to the abuse at door casings, then it should be fine for painted cabinets with a quality paint finish as well. I'm not taking about the paint you would purchase at the hardware store though.

I charge an hourly rate for custom installs. $30 and hour, but that can change depending on complexity and liability of the job. I am licensed, bonded and insured. I know alot of finish carpenters that charge up to $45-$50 an hour.

And you're losing money and don't know it at $30 an hour unless you drive a 30 year old Yugo, own no tools, and don't plan on buying any, or any other type of investment back in the business. The absolute cheapest guy I use figures $600 a day is about the minimum needed for overhead, gas, and groceries.

Eric, you're not on the low end, you are on the poverty and starving end. Seriously. You do not know how to figure out what to charge if you charge that little. Conversely, you do need to be worth 1K a day if you want to charge that. My one contractor who does charge that IS worth it. No, he doesn't gross 250K a year, because he'd rather go fishing, and there is that pesky business of overhead. He might net 70K a year, and get in all the fishing he wants. But when we have the big home show, and almost every cabinet in it has extended stiles to be scribed to the wall and a 4 piece stacked crown, he's the one you want for the job.

You're charging gopher rates that say you aren't worth even that. If you don't have the confidence to charge what you are really worth and need to charge to make a NOT dirty word ''profit'' without apologizing, then you need to do something else.

The original question is 7k to much? I'm starting a reno and 7k would feel awfully good right now. I think its very reasonable but be aware, and you are.

Don't worry you aren't alone in this! My husband, I are working on building our second home and we still are struggling with expenses and planning. We are working right now to get our kitchen figured out. These a lot we would like to do with it, we just don't know how to fit it all. It would be nice to get ourselves a scribe. Do you have any tips on what we should try? http://www.simplescribe.com/product/simple-scribe/