Choosing Cabinets, Counters, and Appliances for an Idaho Kitchen Remodel

The three biggest line items in any kitchen remodel are cabinets, counters, and appliances. Here’s how to pick each without throwing money away.

Cabinets

Stock ($)

Big-box pre-built (KraftMaid stock, IKEA). $200–$450 per linear foot installed. Decent for rentals, secondary kitchens.

Semi-custom ($$)

Modified stock sizes, more door styles and finish options. $450–$850/lf. Most Eastern Idaho remodels live here. Good local shops in Idaho Falls and Rexburg.

Custom ($$$)

Local cabinet shop building to your spec. $850–$1,800+/lf. Worth it for unusual sizes, premium finishes, or if you want a specific local craftsman’s work in your home for the next 30 years.

Counters

• Laminate: $20–$50/sf. Skip.
• Quartz: $60–$120/sf installed. The sweet spot. Durable, low-maintenance, looks like stone.
• Granite: $50–$120/sf. Out of style but practical.
• Quartzite (natural): $100–$200/sf. Beautiful, harder than granite, needs sealing.
• Marble: $80–$250/sf. Will stain. Worth it only if you want the patina.
• Butcher block island: $50–$120/sf. Works as a counter-island accent.

Appliances

• Mid-tier ($$): Bosch, KitchenAid, GE Cafe. $9K–$15K full kitchen package.
• Upper-mid ($$$): Bosch Benchmark, JennAir, Monogram. $15K–$30K.
• Premium ($$$$): Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador, Miele. $30K–$80K.
• Statement ($$$$$): La Cornue, Lacanche, full luxury package. $80K+.

For most Eastern Idaho remodels, upper-mid is the smart move. Visual quality is comparable to premium and the warranty experience is better.