AIBU to be aggrieved about always having to settle for the cheaper/easier options?

[allaboutthekitchen]

Name changed as photos are obviously outing!

I'm not sure if I'm being unreasonable or not.

Long story short, we're in the process of doing a quick DIY style tart up of our ancient kitchen. It's going really well. Before and after pics attached for you to have a look at - bearing in mind this is a 30+ year old kitchen (which we've painted a few time already) I think it looks good. So far its been lots of graft, but cheap as chips - total spend around £150 including paint, new handles, floor tiles and wall coverings. All that is left now is the worktop to replace.

At the start of this, I picked out a white square edged laminate worktop with a subtle sparkle. Pretty much cheap end - £120 per length - we need 2 lengths. Add the quite hefty delivery, edging strips, bits and bobs, it comes in at about £350 ish.

Husband is now getting cold feet, as he's never cut/fitted a worktop before, and if he makes a wrong cut, we'd need a new length at £120 plus £25 delivery per length. Hence any mistake would be expensive - I understand that.

He's now suggesting basic IKEA white worktop, which is £40 per length.
This means that the cost of any mistake he might make is limited to £40. I understand why he is happier with that, its very sensible. The IKEA worktop is OK, I guess, and it makes sense that in a cheap kitchen tart up, that a cheap worktop would be fine. I just feel that I'm always compromising on top of compromises, and I never end up with what I really want, because there's always an easier or cheaper or more sensible option.

Still being in this house rather than moving is a compromise, prioritising other things over extending the kitchen is a compromise, tarting the existing kitchen up over fitting a new one is a compromise, and now even the sodding worktop is a compromise.
This is not really a pure money issue, we have plenty of savings . I think its about sensible over frivolous, luxury over basic etc. I'm actually actually the more financially savvy/prudent of the two of us, but just sometimes, I'd like to be able to the item that I actually like, rather than a cheaper, basic or more sensible version of it.

DH would go along with what I want, if I put my foot down, but I understand how flipping sensible his suggestion is.

AIBU?

I've just splashed out on 6 gorgeous Le Creuset Coastal Blue mugs to make myself feel better!

I would say what you've said here to him. I don't think it's unreasonable at all as it doesn't sound like you're always splashing out.

It does sound like you're a bit frustrated with some of the other compromises too.

To be fair, its not about DH forcing the issue. It's my problem! I always feel I have to do the right thing/make the sensible choice etc.

My DH is a poppet, and would go with what I want if I told him it upset me.

Why not go with the expensive one but get a fitter in just for the worktop. There are handy men around here who could do it in a day for about £100. I know it's more expense but compared to the cost of a whole new kitchen it isn't really....

I agree, go with the more expensive one and go on something like "rated people" and get quotes for fitting. If you go with the cheaper worktop it will annoy you every time you look at it!

Loving your new look kitchen - you've done a good job so far. Your husband is absolutely (and infuriating) right really. Mine fitted our kitchen, and did cut down the lengths of worktop, but he works in a similar trade, and was still nervous about the cutting. Perhaphs consider "getting a man in" if you opt for the more expensive worktop? (my husband would die before allowing another man near his diy!). Also, could you clarify if they are 'stunt' sausages in your photo?

I am very much a make do and mend person but I also chose a worktop with a sparkle, mine is sort of white sand coloured. I love it and am so glad that I did not go for the cheapest. Visitors remark on it because it does actually sparkle when the light hits.
My actual kitchen is revamped from the 80s so you can know from that , that I am a keen reduce, reuse recycle . . . .
Go for the one you want.

Agree with PP, for the sake of another £100 or so - if you can afford it - get a professional to fit the worktop.
What you've done so far is impressive...treat yourselves

W have the super cheap IKEA worktop in the utility room. And it's fine. It's actually nice, and very practical. Doesn't stain or mark. Looks clean and modern.

I would go for really cheap rather than just a bit cheap (£350 is still quite a lot!!)

Ps my husband fitted our IKEA worktop. No probs.

I feel your pain. HOWEVER, we recently bought 2 new worktops at £125 each. We had to buy a 3rd once my (D)H cut one in the wrong place.
if I were you I would buy the ones you want then pay someone to cut & fit them.

Why spend at least 72 pounds (a quick google brought those cups up at 12 each) on mugs when you are quibbling over 120

Get someone to fit it and choose a worktop you want. If you have plenty of savings why are you being so tight with yourself??

Get a fitter in if your DH is not confident.

Or buy a £40 job for him to practise the cut on before he does the more expensive one.

Where we bought our worktop from they offered a worktop cutting service. Dh still fitted it himself but Twas all precut.

Go for the expensive one and get someone in to cut and fit for you.
You've made lots of compromises already by the sounds of it. Time to treat yourself and splash out!
I did something similar but not on such a large scale recently. Bought a new fridge, white was the cheaper option but wanted it to match the other old but in good condition appliances so paid a little extra and got black. Did feel a little guilty but I don't usually spend alot on what I want so the guilt didn't last long

Your Dh is right. I'm afraid.

Cutting worktops is an absolute skill.
Dh's mate does this. He used to fit the whole kitchen himself. But then in time hired his mate to fit the cupboards, flooring etc. Now he only does the cutting and finishing of the jobs.

Thanks all.

Just to clear a few bits up,

1. I'm in the SE, so very much doubt I could get anyone in to fit it for less than £200 per day, and that would be a general handyman.
2. We intend to extend the kitchen (and therefore rip out the existing kitchen) in around 3-5 years, so that limits the amount we would want to spend. That said, we've pushed back the date of extension before to accommodate other priorities, so I won't believe it until I see it!
3. @CookieSue222 - not stunt sausages. Proper sausages that we had for lunch. Those two were the leftovers that were resting on the side for 10 mins before teenage son came down and snaffled them :)
4. @ElizaDee - mugs were a bargainous £7.50 each from TKMaxx, which is a jolly good saving on their RRP of £15 each. In any case, this isn't about the money, its about choosing the sensible option over the more luxurious option.

You sound really boring - I don't mean that badly but live a little! I see too many loaded people living a paupers life and dying with a fortune - you cant take it with you! (Disclaimer - have worked in caring/nursing and banking so have seen all sides!)

That's still 45 on mugs. Each to their own.

I'd get the worktop I wanted, if the extension is pie in the sky.

Get the sparkly worktop with no regrets. You can afford it. It is something that you will use and look at every day for 3+ years. So 1000 days plus-very cheap per view!

I'm biased by my utter hatred of sparkly worktops, but I'd still get the cheaper option if you can't afford a fitter - it's an awful lot of pressure on your DH otherwise, and if he's anything like me that'll make a mistake more, not less, likely!

I like the worktop that you have now...it goes really well with the cupboards.

Honestly OP. Try somewhere like rated people and you can get quotes. I’m in London and found a very good handyman for £100 per day. And he did all sorts, fitted my new shower, put up some rails, installed a couple of lights etc.

You could fablon your existing worktops for now. You could do the doors as well then so it all matches.

I think if you can afford 45 on mugs to make your self feel better

You can afford the sides that will make you happy.
And then get some one in to fit them