Kitchen Remodeling for the Rich and Poor
As economic times put the squeeze on the middle income brackets in the United States, there are always two sections that tend to do well in times of downturns. Those sections are the super wealthy and the lower income workers. Why the lower end? Well usually for them a remodeling job consists of buying flowers, a microwave or a toaster over. Purchases usually under $100. Why spend money to decorate an apartment?
But for the super wealthy, the economy is the least of the worries. Especially when the L.A. Times reports homeowners in New York routinely paying in the 6 figures for a quality remodeling job.
No one’s going toward Kitchen-Aid and the regular GE,” says Susan Serra, a prominent New York designer whose clients spend on average between $150,000 and $200,000 on new kitchens that sport professional-grade equipment by the likes of SubZero and Fisher & Paykel. “I’ve been against these big appliances from Day One. . . . What people forget is what they really need.”
Mid-market manufacturers such as Kenmore and Frigidaire have introduced versions of the high-end ranges for a fraction of the cost. And in the opinion of Los Angeles kitchen remodeling contractor David Ceballos, they’re often just as good.
“You’re paying for the brand name,” he says of the others. But even people on a budget, Ceballos says, “still want that professional look.” Full Article.
Written by larrylarr on June 20th, 2008 with no comments.
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