We just purchased all new GE Cafe/Monogram for our kitchen. The dishwasher, for $1,400 was terrible. We ended up exchanging it for a panel ready Bosch and couldn't be happier. Otherwise, I love all of the GE Appliances.

I also highly recommend a GE Advantium Oven/Microwave. It is a splurge, but totally worth it.

I am in the same place as you, but our builder is fortunately being very patient with us--our kitchen designer, not so much. Trying to be sure we are getting all we want from the appliances we selected while trying to figure out where every last spoon will go in our new kitchen. I'm a few months ahead of you and I have been educating myself on virtually every appliance and brand--to where I think I know more than many of the appliance sales people! Does your builder have an appliance distributor with whom he has a relationship? I have been working with two (no big box stores) and they are a wealth of information--as is Houzz. Both companies also service appliances so the see first hand which have problems. I've also found Yale Appliance blog to be tremendously helpful in providing feedback on brands as well as buying guides to help get you started in each area of the kitchen. You will want to look at appliances based on their track record and the features you like. My builder had one client who always did Subzero fridges, Viking Ranges and Bosch dishwashers--in several houses. (Though Viking has undergone some changes and have had big quality issues since being bought and the Jury is still out whether they have turned things around.)

I had looked at the GE range top and the grates in the store were cracked. It is supposed to look professional, but I would not buy. I considered some of their integrated refrigerator models, but read about rusting problems. GE refrigerators in general are not recommended. The only thing I've heard good things about with GE is the Advantium Oven.

If you are looking for some good promotions, on the higher end, you may want to check out Thermador. They have been receiving pretty high ratings. They have a 1-2-free deal where you could end up with a free dishwasher (made by Bosch) if you like their range top and ovens. Their refrigeration is excellent as well, but their new integrated style is very tall with the evaporator on the bottom, which could be challenging for children and those of us who are vertically challenged (I'm only 5'1"). You may like their side by side.

If you like flame thrower BTU, you will be getting into the professional range of cooking. Blue Star would be one of the recommended brands for high BTUs based on what I've read on this site. (As well as Capital). I, too like high BTUs, but I feel like the Wolf I've selected should be adequate.

For less expensive, Electrolux would be another brand worth a look. They have received some design awards. Their dishwasher and double ovens seem to have good reviews. Frigidaire is owned by them and have also received accolades. I was impressed with their professional looking separate 32" freezer and refrigerator units. They can't compare to Sub Zero on performance, but for the price, they should function like most average refrigeration. They are relatively new to the market and the 32" non-standard size could be a problem if they need to be replaced.

Bosch is one of the most highly recommended dishwashers. Miele is European style so the racks will be a bit shorter and they are expensive, but from my research, they are one of the least serviced brands if you are looking for a brand because they are a completely vertically integrated family owned company (German, not made in USA if that is a factor), and they address problems before products reach the marketplace. Their ovens are excellent.

Check out Best (by Broan) for hoods. Keep in mind that any hood over 400 cfm will require make-up air.

I was between Maytag and Electrolux for W/D and decided on Electrolux. LG is good until you have problems and can't get good service or parts. Front loaders are all prone to mold. You have to clean them regularly. I liked the controls on the Electrolux better than Maytag, the reversible door, and the second floor guarantee so that the house doesn't shake when the washer spins. They also offer some shorter cycle times. The owner of the appliance store would chose Electrolux over Maytag, though both are good.

I'm about to finalize my decisions and I'm starting to second guess some of them. Last minute jitters! I feel your pain. Take your time (and a deep breath) and organize your thoughts. These are big decisions and this is a big investment you will live with for many years.

Frig- i have a 48 inch Kitchenaid and it is the only appliance I bought that has run trouble free. I bought it strictly on layout and placement of the ice maker. It is 8 years old.

Rangetop- I would consider BlueStar here. You could look at Capital Culinarian or American Performer but it seems there are more complaints about service these days unless you bought the CC from Trvor Lawson who takes good care of his customers and has more of an in with Capital. Wolf has just added BTUs to their range tops but i would want to see what the flame looks like. Mine have been great and I use bigger pans, but it would have the potential to make the flame wider.

Ovens-In the past Bosch, Electrolux and Gaggenau have been rated pretty well around here and you could add Meile too. There have been some redesigns so not too many reviews yet. I have and Electrolux and it has been great and comparable in baking to my Wolf electric oven in my range. The Elux has been redesigned to have dual fans. They have actually been using dual fans in their model rebadged for Kenmore for awhile and it gets pretty good reviews. If I were buying now I would likely buy Electrolux again. I bake quite a bit, mostly cakes, cookies, muffins etc. i use standard bake for those things and occasionally turn the conv bake on after the rise is complete. I use it to dehydrate and it roasts beautifully. I did have issues with the blue enamel but no one seems to report this issue anytime recently and my new liner has been ok. I would not buy Wolf now because they do have ongoing issues with blue enamel.

i have a Best by Broan hood and it works well but is kind of rattle trap with vibration. A guy came out and wedged styrofoam in places and it was quiet for about a week and then started rattling again. My hood is 900 com and we don't have make up air but you might have to have it some places

There is a laundry forum on gardenweb if you are so inclined to read it. I would highly recommend Speed Queen washers and dryers We own at least 10 of the top loaders we use in our business. They are the residential model. They go 5 days a week, all day and sometimes on weekends and the oldest is 10 years old. We've never had a service call on any of them. The new model allows you to use the full amount of water or an eco setting. The front loaders get high marks as well on the laundry forum We bought them for their cleaning ability but can't believe how durable they are

Thank you!! J K and Wekick for your thoughtful and thorough responses. I'm thinking Speed Queen for laundry. I agree with the reviews, the simple functionality and reputation as the go-to brand for commercial use is appealing to me. I like the Libherr counter depth refrigerator, either an Eletrolux or Miele Double Oven. The Miele must really overcome the $$ differential between those two brands, to win that race. The dbl oven has to be only counter depth as well as the fridge, because of placement in our design. Rangetop, 36" deciding between Thermador or BlueStar. Again, flamethrower BTU will win the race, here. Dishwasher Bosch, hood by Broam, but maybe we'll get the one that comes with the rangetop. We'll need another stackable for a downstairs secondary laundry. More and more, it's looking like I won't get a deal on package promotion. I'm going to go haggle on total sale. In the Chicagoland area. ABT, here I come!!!

I went with Bluestar range top, Bosch DW, LG fridge, and whirlpool double convection ovens (not a popular choice around here but I don't have any issues). No complaints. For the hood I went with ProLine hoods 900cfm hood which was considerably cheaper than most alternatives. Again, doesn't seem popular around here but it's been perfectly fine.

Jani, of the things you mentioned, we have the Electrolux oven (like it a lot), the Bosch d/w, (love it, but still learning to load it), and the Liebherr counter depth 36" fridge, which we are also happy with. We switched to induction for cooking and got a Zephyr hood. We have only had that kitchen a year and don't yet live there full-time, but so far we love our appliance choices-- it was worth all that research after all! Of course, it is too soon to know about durability...

Don't buy a GE dishwasher. I have one and hate it. It does not get dishes clean even when I use the steam and sanitize option. Had a Bosch before, loved it and going back to a Bosch in my new build. It's sitting in the kitchen now waiting for the Corian counter top to go in Tuesday so plumber can instal it. Happy dance:)