Kitchen -- Upgrades and considerations

I'm planning to post some photos soon, but for now, just trying to get thoughts down....

Kitchen sink -- I ordered an amazing copper sink off of eBay for $700.  So far -- I love it.  Note:  be sure to visit with your builder if you do something like this

Trash bin cabinet -- my husband requested a sliding cabinet trash bin -- it is Fabulous

Drawers and doors -- I wish we had upgraded to soft close doors and drawers

Vent hood -- be sure to specify how the vent hood should mount -- in our case the cabinet maker did not recess the bottom of the cabinet, so did a retrofit that looks great, but much easier if it had just been recessed to begin with

Appliances -- Know if you need to add extra $$ into the contract for upgraded appliances.  The KitchenAid double oven with convection was a $900 upgrade over the Whirlpool double oven.

Microwave -- we chose to have a microwave shelf built -- Now I would have done it a bit different -- live and learn... some homes are lowering the double ovens and placing the microwave above the ovens.  They also make microwave drawers.... I'd like to know if people like them or not.

Drawer depths -- Some deep drawers are great, but plan out what you need and what depths are realistic for your stuff

Pantry -- specify how the shelves will be laid out and installed

Kitchen faucets -- verify that the builder's budget will account for your selection.  Our facet was an extra $90 (but cheaper than having to go back and buy another one)

Kitchen Paulette backsplash -- interchangeable design -- $450

Back splash -- upgrade to Silver Travertine -- $100-200

So... kitchen upgrades:  $600 for dishwasher; $700 for sink; $900 for double oven; $600 for backsplash upgrades; $350 for granite upgrades; $200 for microwave... total of over $3k out of pocket for the upgrades (not including bar light upgrades)

Still need to purchase and install cabinet knobs or pulls (guessing another $200)

I will post photos soon!