dining room built-in: to do or not

[Anonymous]

Got a quote around $12k to do a built-in wall for the dining room, which would add tons of much needed storage -- includes bookshelves and cupboard storage and a couple glass display cabinets -- plus paint and new woodwork all around in a room we use for pretty much all three meals on the weekends. House is worth $900k. Would you do this? DH thinks it's not a good investment. Thinks we can just buy a decent sideboard and be done. I think this would be maximum use of space and major upgrade overall. It's not a forever home, but was original 1960s everything when we got it and we've upgraded the electrical, kitchen, baths, closets and more and made it really comfortable in here. But we'll probably move away from DC in 5-10 years (we've been in this house 5 years already without any real dining room furniture), and the hvac and water heaters are 15-20 years old so other things may need to be done. I'm torn.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at the cost of furniture? We got white wood china cabinets from Ikea and it works for us, but if you're going higher end you could approach this estimate.

[Anonymous]

At least with furniture, if/when you move you can take it with you. The PP had a valid point that paint & woodwork plus furniture might approach your estimate but would not be a complete sunk cost in the house. I would be looking and pricing out both to compare value.

[Anonymous]

If it makes the space more functional and you can afford it, it’s worth it. We’re considering something similar because the Room and Board units are pricey and wouldn’t fit the space as well.

I’m not sure what your husband means by “investment”- getting 100% of your money back on home improvements isn’t a thing, no matter what realtors or people that don’t understand investing will tell you. I also doubt someone is adding an extra few grand into their bid because it has built ins, although it may contribute to how they feel about the home overall (something that has recent updates, vs something that does not).

So, if the usability is worth 2k/ year to you (assuming you’ll be there at least 6 more years), that may be a better way to think about it.

[Anonymous]

It probably doesn’t add value to the house so I’d only do it if you really need it and want it.

We sold a house with great built in bookcases and the buyers ripped them out right away. It’s very personal what people like. For example, I generally like storage but probably wouldn’t want glass display cabinets.

[Anonymous]

no not worth it, 12k is a lot. you can buy ikea built in and get a handyman to do it for 1/5 of the price. Or just get furniture

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no not worth it, 12k is a lot. you can buy ikea built in and get a handyman to do it for 1/5 of the price. Or just get furniture

I mention Ikea because this is a low priced house

[Anonymous]

12k? Not worth it at all. Your husband is right. New owners may just rip it out if they need more space.

Built in wall storage/display cabinets/bookshelves - no. Buy something that you can take with you that suits any kind of house/decor.

Trims and paint - yes. Trims are not that expensive at all and elevates the space and paint is the cheapest way to update a space.

[Anonymous]

We received that same estimate for dining room built ins from a nice/ higher end cabinet maker, although ours are probably smaller as they would flank the opening to the living room and it's a small semi-attached house.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

I love to spend money on home improvement but this is unlikely to be a good decision unless you are adding really amazing built ins (like, floor to ceiling bookshelves in a loft that elevate the whole space).

[Anonymous]

I’m in the “do it” category, especially if it will make life in the house better.

How large is the room? Will you lose much floor space?

[Anonymous]

If you think of it as an investment, then no. Put the money in the market.

If you think of it as a purchase that will enhance the quality of your life and bring you joy, then yes.

If the difference between the cost of the built in versus the cost of the stand alone furniture is going to create financial stress for you or you husband down the line, then no.

If that cost differential is a drop in the bucket for you and you can both enjoy the built-in, then yes.

[Anonymous]

We ripped that out as soon as we moved in! It opened up the space.

[Anonymous]

I love built-ins, but I wouldn’t do it in a house you plan to sell within 10 years.