upgrade to stainless?

Question

I am working on a flip right now that will be listed around 80K when done with rehab.  I want to know at what price level do you guys upgrade to stainless appliances?  I will be putting in new dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator.

J Scott · Answer

I put faux stainless appliances in all my flips.  For a fridge, gas range, microwave and dishwasher, I pay about $1300 (Home Depot).  With a new washer/dryer, the total comes to about $2000.

It's the best $2K I spend on my flips...

J Scott · Answer

Go to the Home Depot bid desk.  If you buy a full set of appliances plus another $500-1000 worth of materials, you can get them to submit the order to the corporate bid room (they generally want at least $2500 in the order).

This will get the appliances down to about $2000, plus another 10-15% off the rest of the materials...

Andy J. · Answer

If you wait for the good deals it's usually only $200-$300 more to upgrade to stainless from black or white appliances.

When I hear faux stainless I think of two different finishes.  One is called "silver mist" and it's a plastic feeling surface that has a matte finish.  There is also a product line called "clean steel" where it holds a magnet and has a different sheen than true stainless.  I haven't seen anything cheap in the clean steel so I'm assuming the faux stainless you guys are referring to is the silver mist.

I just bought 3 packages of stainless appliances (fridge, microwave, stove, and dishwasher) from Best Buy last weekend for $1,596  They go on sale every few months and I try to stock up when I can.  It's real stainless (black sides though) and looks fantastic compared to the silver mist.  For that price you're crazy not to buy them.  I believe the sale is good through Saturday but it may vary based on location.  Link below

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Frigidaire+Side-By-Side+Refrigerator%2C+Electric+Range%2C+Dishwasher+%26+Microwave/9999146300050004.p?id=pcmprd146300050004&skuId=9999146300050004

J Scott · Answer

Actually, faux stainless is very similar to stainless, but the manufacturing process is a bit different.  The look is more matte than gloss, and is a bit darker.  It doesn't smudge like stainless and also holds magnets (unlike real stainless).

GE and Kenmore are the type big appliance manufacturers that make it, and they usually use it in their lower-end lines (for example, GE uses it in their Hotpoint line, which is their low-end appliances).

As a non-design type person, I can't tell the difference, though wife can...and she actually thinks the faux stuff is just as nice as the real thing.

Regardless, when you're purchasing, just ask for the low-end stainless...doesn't really matter if it's the real stuff or not, though the faux stuff tends to be cheaper...

Account Closed · Answer

i just accepted an offer on a rehab of mine where list price was 89k...i did stainless, granite, etc.  took 3 weeks to get under contract so i'm sure the kitchen helped....however what does 80k buy in your area? for me, this was a 2/1 that was abuot 700 sq ft.  i dont' know your area, so i'ts best to see what the competition does...in the end, lower end stainless appliances are pretty cheap..in fact, the set i used for this kitchen was practically brand new, all matching and i paid 1000 from craigslist..it's always nice to have a sizzle feature that the competition doesn't have if youcan get a deal!

j, that's a heck of a deal for new lower end stainless..you prob buy way more appliances than me though!!

Mike G. · Answer

Andy J, thanks for the Best Buy link!

Andy Chu · Answer

Stainless always makes a property look high end. I've never been a fan of faux steel or often called clean steel. The homes that you are rehabbing are older, so why go and spend 50% more on brand new appliances? A good looking set on craigslist will typically be better quality for more features than a faux looking SS appliance.

Tom J. · Answer

I second what Andy J. says. I also buy the Best Buy sets when they go on sell.  The last set I bought was even cheeper than their most recent sell. I paid around $1575.00 with taxes and delivery.  I personal think it is worth a few hundered dollars more to go with stainless and black sets.

Steve Babiak · Answer

Then there is this stuff:
http://reviews.ebay.com/Faux-Stainless-Steel-Film-Overlay-panel-for-Appliances_W0QQugidZ10000000002240224

Steve Babiak · Answer

No, faux stainless doesn't have any stainless surfaces.  The front is painted (or some kind of panel is put on) to look stainless.

Cheaper real stainless will have the black sides with real stainless fronts.  More expensive stainless will have stainless sides too.

upgrade to stainless?

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