Planning kitchen for a condo. Two walls - 10 feet (sink/preparation side) and 6 feet (cooker side). Using IKEA design tool, cabinet cost comes to about 10k only. However, cost for quartz top is almost 9k (RM550/ft). Normal Ikea laminate top is only about 1k. I have lived many years in places with normal laminate and they have lasted well. I realize at some point the water damage will require top to be changed. I had also spent quite a bit on granite before in another place I lived, but I moved out after 8 years, and all that money spent seemed like a waste. So basically in a dilemma now whether to spent so much on a work top, even if I can afford it. Seems like not a financially sound decision with the pricing in our market. Maybe cheaper quartz suppliers out there but will need to coordinate with the cabinet supplier, if different. Or maybe use quartz on one side (sink side), and laminate on the other to optimize.

Anyone else had this dilemma and what was the path chosen?

Couple of questions:

1. For those who have installed built-in dish racks (usually installed above the sink as part of top cabinets), how has this worked out? Any experience of water damage to the cabinet sides or base? What about practicality of having the dishes and utensils in that location? Any advantage over conventional dish rack placed on the counter top? Is this something you would recommend?

2. Anyone used carcass from Block Board? Price is about 25% higher than the standard melamine. Is it a a better choice?

This post has been edited by Mattrock: Mar 20 2023, 05:13 PM