Is it a good value to have the builder upgrade to gas cooktop?

Question

The standard features of the town house I'm buying come with a electric cooktop. To have the builder upgrade it to gas, including hookup, it'd cost $800. Should I let the builder do it, or it is a better value if I get it done myself, and perhaps sell the electric cooktop for some pocket changes?

Along the same line, would you spend $675 to upgrade the oven, dishwasher, and microwave to stainless steel?

I am more interested in whether I should have the home builders do it or have them done "after-market", NOT whether I want gas or electric. I want gas.

Answer 1

This is purely a risk mitigation question. If you have the builder do it, you have the builders liability insurance in place if the pipe leaks and the townhouse blows up. If you do it, your homeowners insurance may cover it unless it is shown that you made some kind of mistake or didn't get the right permits. I would also imagine that you doing work such as this would result in the builder voiding his warranty.

Given the popularity of gas cooktops, it would be a good investment to have it done. Here's a quick question though: If the gas lines are run, does that mean the 220V power is not? If at all possible, I would have both run to allow the choice. To run 220V later is the same pain in the neck as running an aftermarket gas line.

$675 for SS is not much money. If the townhouse is an investment (i.e. Flip) then get the SS as most people are easily impressed by shiny appliances. If you're going to live there and use them, I'd spring for better appliances before pretty ones.

Answer 2

I prefer gas myself (as do most cooking enthusiasts) but have to admit that the newer flat-surface ceramic electric cooktops are pretty good. However, in my experience (have owned 3 houses and 6 or 7 stoves), gas cooktops last much longer so the $800 in the long term is probably a good investment. The drawback is that electric OVENS tend to work better than gas (heat more evenly) but, again, the parts tend to fail more quickly.

If you are looking for both resale value AND (more important) your own enjoyment of your kitchen, I would advise you to pop for both the gas and the stainless.

Answer 3

Have the home builders do it that way they are responsible if anything goes wrong. I wouldn't do the stainless steel if you have kids, fingerprints drive you nuts and it never really looks clean. Acidic foods can also stain the stainless, and of course the scratches can said to add patina, or just be scratches depending on your outlook. The nicest look comes from having panels that match your cabinets on the dishwasher or fridge, microwaves are always replaceable. So its a yes on having the builder do the gas and a no on the stainless.

Answer 4

The cost between gas and electric has fluctuated over the years, so for a while it used to be a benefit to have one over the other. Now as far as cost goes, there isn't a big difference between the cost of running an electric range or a gas range- the main thing now is preference.

Most professional cooks and amateur chefs prefer the cooking qualities of natural gas over electric ranges.

The stainless steel thing is another matter of personal preference. The thing they don't tell you about stainless steel is that in order to keep that shiny look you do need to polish it from time to time. glass fronts or baked enamel finishes only need to be wiped down with a glass/ kitchen cleaner when you get them dirty.