The Runaway countertop
The kitchen countertop is self-destructing. It is made of some composite material and its day--maybe its era--is done. So I have been saving money for a new countertop. It seems to cost $3,000-4,000. I actually had over $2,000 saved up for it but I happened to get into a car accident that was my fault and I have an insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible, which makes sense when you don't have any accidents that are your fault, but if you do, it doesn't. I hope I have explained this properly.
Originally I planned to get the countertop at Home Depot. I approached a man who was ostentatiously busy on the phone and tried to geet his attention. I said I wanted a countertop. He told me he was frightfully busy and told me to make an appointment. Apparently he had never heard of the philiosophy that the customer is always right. I didn't feel that I wanted to make an appointment to give someone who was too busy to see me my money. I decided to go elsewhere.
This house could easily use $12,000 worth of work. A paint job. New kitchen floor. New bathroom floor. But I thought a new countertop was doable. A good start. Maybe not.
I can see the countertop receding into the future--a very distant future.
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5 comments:
Two things.
1) Home improvement loan.You are a diligent person, I'm sure you have a good credit history, you'll get one that's not too expensive to maintain
2) Look up stone (granite/marble/tile) places. You can start from wholesale, come there personally, talk to the sales staff, tell them oyu don't have a big budget and need a solid surface (not stone) countertop and most importantly, a responsible and inexpensive contractor, to do it. When interviewing contractors, ask for references.
Yes, home upkeep (whether improvements or just a return to the status quo) is an expensive chore.
So, how the story ends? We need an update on your countertop. Were you able to get a decent price and responsible contractor? are you enjoying your improved kitchen now? do tell
Living is an expensive proposition.
Tat: A friend of a friend of mine is looking into the countertop situation. He apparently knows contractors. So the project is still on hold.
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