Just found out how much a dedicated appliance garage can add to a kitchen budget

I was looking at some plans from a builder in Boise and they had a line item for a built-in appliance garage. It was a cool 4 grand, which really surprised me for what is basically a cabinet with an outlet and a door. My contractor friend said the cost is in the custom cabinetry and the electrical work to make it look seamless. Has anyone else priced one of these out recently and found a more reasonable way to do it?

3 comments

3 Comments

alicecooper12d ago

Hold up, I'm going totally against what @maryt62 said here. That seamless, built-in look is the whole point, and it's worth every penny. It's not just a cabinet with a door, it's about getting a clean kitchen where you don't have to look at a messy blender or toaster. That kind of custom work takes real skill to pull off, so the price makes sense to me. Why would you spend a fortune on a kitchen and then cheap out on the final details that make it feel complete?

maryt6213d ago

Honestly, that price tag is wild but your friend is spot on. It's all that custom carpentry to match your existing cabinets perfectly, plus an electrician hiding the wires so it looks built in. Tbh you could get a normal cabinet with a pull out shelf for a fraction of the cost, it just won't have that fancy finished look. The real cost is paying someone to make all those seams and details disappear.

aaronclark11d ago

Wait, you used to think these were a total rip-off, right? I was right there with you until I saw my sister's kitchen reno. She went with a regular cabinet for her coffee station and it just looks... stuck on. @maryt62 is onto something about the seams and details. Seeing it in person, that smooth, built-in look is what makes a kitchen feel expensive and finished, not just updated.