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what item do you think should be the biggest investment in a kitchen remodel and why?
Also, what items do you think it's better to save money on?
For example
Cabinets
Counters
Appliances or particular appliances like a stove
Sink
Faucet
Backsplash
Electrical
Plumbing (copper vs galvanized)
Etc . . .
Plumbing and electrical, because if those are wrong, it's hell to rip everything out and redo to get it right.
Price-wise, cabinets are generally the next order of magnitude but they also reflect the owner's taste the most of anything installed, so it depends if you are selecting for your own enjoyment over the years or if you're selecting with an eye to selling in the reasonable future.
The biggest cost will depend on what the extent of the remodel is. Updating appearance while maintaining the footprint? Gutting with complete redesign? Adding to existing space?
I'm not sure whether you mean investment or cost. If I were going to use the kitchen myself, I would probably put the most money into the things that make the kitchen more functional, and I think that would be cabinets. A cheaper countertop will still be functional, but cabinets that are too small or not enough just make the day to day use of the kitchen frustrating.
Good flooring is also important - it needs to be easy to clean, but durable.
Appliances are important, but also easily changeable, as long as you leave space for what you eventually want to get. Unless you want a wall oven, which is nice, but maybe not worth the price.
If you mean an actual investment, then buyers just look, they don't use, and they mostly want to see stone countertops and stainless steel, but as long as the cabinets and floors look nice, most people won't know if they aren't really high quality or functional enough for day to day use.
I can't remember what the most expensive thing in our kitchen. It could be the granite counters, or engineered wood floor (that we both hate-wanted REAL hard wood floor which would have cost less) or it could have been the new electrical and/or plumbing. But the electrical and plumbing was all over the house so it is hard to say how much it cost specifically for the kitchen. But, I think the most expensive thing that wasn't needed-but wanted is our ceiling. We put in a tin ceiling and we absolutely LOVE it. We get more complements on that ceiling. And if I were to have to do that kitchen again, I would put the ceiling back in.
(I just realized that I never took an "after" pic of the kitchen when it was complete. )
Infrastructure..moving walls, windows and doors, plumbing and electrical to the most ideal configuration. Followed by high quality cabinetry with the most innovative efficient components to house the things you use. Counter tops next, then sink.
Flooring, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures and appliances can always be upgraded later if necessary.
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