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Should You Buy Your Own Appliances for a Kitchen Remodel?
Yes. In most kitchen remodels, the homeowner buys the appliances and the contractor puts them in. You deal with the store yourself, so the warranty is in your name and you know just what you paid. Pick them early, before the cabinets are set, so the kitchen gets built to fit them.
That is how most of our jobs go at JT's Painting & Renovations, based in Foley and serving Wentzville. We handle the build and install the appliances you pick. You can see what a full job covers on our kitchen remodeling page.
Why do most homeowners buy their own appliances?
Buying them yourself keeps the warranty simple. If the fridge acts up, you call the store or the maker. You don't have to go through your contractor.
Josh Tillman, who owns JT's, put it this way on the "Your Little Castle Show" on ABC:
"Typically the homeowners will buy the appliances... It's better for warranty for them to deal directly with the stores on those."
Josh also said he doesn't get much of a deal on most appliances. So there is often no savings in having him buy them for you.
Does a contractor ever get a better price on appliances?
Sometimes. A good contractor will tell you when they do and when they don't. Josh says he is up front about it. If he gets a discount at a store, he tells you. If he doesn't, he tells you to buy it there yourself.
When he does have a discount, he makes it easy:
"Tell them you're working with me. They'll automatically give you my discount."
So it's worth asking your contractor one plain question: "Do you get a better price on appliances anywhere?"
When should you pick your appliances during a remodel?
Pick your appliances before the cabinets are ordered or built. Each appliance has its own size. The cabinets and counters around it have to fit that size.
Some people plan the whole kitchen around one piece. Josh said on the show that sometimes a customer has to have a certain stove, "so we build the kitchen around the stove."
Here is a simple order that works:
- Decide on the layout.
- Pick your appliances.
- Give the model numbers to your contractor.
- Order or build the cabinets to fit.
- Set the counters.
- Put the appliances in.
Each appliance comes with an install guide that lists the space it needs. Hand that to your contractor early. For more on the order of a kitchen job, read where to spend and where to save on a kitchen remodel.
Who installs the appliances if I buy them?
Your contractor can still put them in. At JT's, we install the appliances you buy as part of the job. That way they go in once the cabinets and counters are done, and everything lines up.
What should I do to protect my appliance warranty?
Keep your receipt and fill out any warranty card that comes in the box. The Federal Trade Commission says to save your receipt with the warranty. It shows the date you bought it and that you are the first owner. The FTC also says some makers want you to send back a registration card before they will cover a repair.
| What to keep | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Store receipt | Shows the date you bought it and that you own it |
| Warranty card or online sign up | Some makers need it before they fix anything |
| Model and serial number | The store and maker will ask for it |
| Install guide | Your contractor needs it to build the space |
Can I keep my old appliances and still update the kitchen?
Yes. Not every kitchen needs all new appliances. Josh said on the show that sometimes they paint the cabinets, put them back and add new appliances. That gives the kitchen a new look without breaking the bank. If your cabinets are solid, see our post on how many coats of paint kitchen cabinets need.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to have my contractor buy the appliances? Not always. Josh says he doesn't get much of a deal on most of them. Ask your contractor if they get a discount anywhere before you shop.
Will my contractor still install appliances I bought myself? At JT's, yes. We install the appliances you buy as part of the kitchen job.
When do the appliances need to be at the house? Pick them before the cabinets are ordered so the space gets built to fit. Ask your contractor when they want them delivered so they aren't in the way of the work.
Who do I call if a new appliance breaks? The store or the maker, since the warranty is in your name. Keep your receipt handy.
Plan your kitchen around the pieces you love
If you already know the stove or fridge you want, that is a great place to start. See our kitchen remodeling service, or ask for a free estimate. You can also call Josh at (912) 432-0218.
