High end appliances

La Cornue or Aga.

I have a similar problem and was told to pick at least one appliance that is chef quality. I've been told that people then think you're renovating and maintaining your apartment with an eye toward quality.

I've purchased GE Profile products in the past just because friends who've had chef quality products have had to wait ages for repairs. One waited 3 months for a part.

GE just announced a line of ranges that include practically all the unique features of the Wolf range. While the Wolf is close to 5K, the new GE line is just under 3K on the list prices. I'm considering that as a compromise. I'm not starting my renovation for a few months, so I have time to think about this.

Buy the stove that you will want to cook on. You have to use it, others just have to look at it.

If you live there for any amount of time, the new buyers will toss the stove (and most of the kitchen) when they do their own renovation. Since you've pointed out that there's a ceiling on value, you're probably not buying a high-end enough appliance that the next owners will keep.

If all you do is reheat take out and you're trying to impress the guests, there are many overpriced models available.

Jelj13, thanks. That makes sense. I was thinking of the Wolf, so maybe that will be my one very high end. Microwave will be too actually,but there is not a huge price range there. I've heard many complaints about the Sub Zero fridge and have never had issues with my ordinary fridges, so will just get one that looks nice.

I think a Wolf range/oven isn't really 'high end' any more. It's simply average, or already expected in nicer renos. If you truly want 'high end' as you wrote originally this post, then that's Aga or La Cornue...

I use Subzero undercounter refrigerator and freezer drawers, and have always been happy with them.

Depends on the state of your appliances. Some buyers will simply rip out whatever you have installed regardless of condition. If you have $300 dishwasher and a 1970's refrigerator you may wish to consider, however a high quality kitchen Aide Architect series unit or G.E. Monogram will be just as effective as a Miele or Subzero or Wolf.

Riversider: You are correct about buyers ripping out things regardless of condition. I purchased high end products when I renovated a kitchen. Although everything was only 3 years old, my buyer gutted the kitchen and replaced everything with low end products. It was the equivalent of replacing a $50,000 kitchen with a $20,000 one.

Wolf is certainly high end. That's just silly. It is not at the top. There are plenty of others beside la cornue and aga. Gaggenau is pretty amazing as well. La Cornue is really beautiful though. There are some Italian brands as well but I suspect service would be very difficult. A gorgeous oven will be better eye candy than the fridge.

Aga, La Cornue?

Maybe these are good, perhaps very good, but not as well known as Viking, Miele and Subzero. And if you have to explain appliances to a would be buyer you are already minus one in the process. And again, many buyers simply rip out what's there, so if you are adding an extra two thousand dollars per appliance you are wasting money, unless of course you really wanted these brands in the first place for some reason.

jelj, as a kitchen junkie I am appalled at your buyer! But then, I sold a house where I had 6 months earlier renoed the kitchen, and I think some people didn't know what to make of a 6 burner Wolf. Agent explained to me that most people no longer cook. This was not even in NY.

But based on experience, I would never buy a GE product again (dishwasher, wall oven, and a range, in different houses).

This totally depends on the look you are trying to achieve. If you are just going for a more traditional kitchen then just get the nice GE products. If you want something a little more contemporary and attractive with integrated appliances then worth the extra cost to get nicer appliances.

For reconrd I have two places, one with GE products and other with miele, subzero. Functionally basically the same, but latter are much more attractive.

In end depends entirely on the look you are trying to achieve.

Definitely listen to Canadians when it comes to fashion and taste.

looks like you've shut down the place.

yet again.

too much.

Hi C0C0, what is the brand of appliances that you use?

Agree with Ottawanyc. Personally, nothing beats the Wolf range and Subzero fridge combination.

I replaced my appliances with higher end appliances - Wolf, Viking, Miele. It is a very modern and sharp looking kitchen. The new products look much nicer than my old GE stuff - beautiful even. I was skeptical about performance difference. For the Wolf, I do think that it is a difference - the range has just more control than my old GE range, although honestly it is not as amazing as I expected. (I'm not a major cook but I do use it for more than reheating). For the other products, maybe there is a marginal benefit in terms of function, as Ottawaynyc says, but the look is the main benefit. In terms of the OP, you can upgrade these but the ROI will probaby not be good. Most people don't care or they are going to replace it anyway when they renovate.

Not sure what's so great about sub-zero. I might get one at some point but very undecided. In theory the two compressors are supposed to keep food fresher longer, but owners tell me the units are more prone to breaking down than say high end Kitchen Aide Architect or G.E. Monogram. On the other hand the premium for a Miele dishwasher is only a few hundred dollars and they are noticeably quieter, and at least for the first year since I purchased trouble free. Of course sometimes the non-premium appliance works better than the high end. Maytag washer/dryer trouble free for over a decade.

hfscomm1....

C0C0, did your 2400 baud model get stuck again?

Well, in the end I am going with Viking on everything except the fridge where I'm doing Kitchenaid Architect Series. I liked their microwave too, but needed a stronger ventilation system over the Viking range. I got a package deal and am looking forward to the look and range performance. It is a sleek, modern kitchen, so this will go. Four months into the renovation dollars are starting to feel like Monopoly money I'm afraid. Thanks for the feedback.