Experience on Butcher Block countertop for House Flip?

Question

Hi everyone,

What's your opinion on butcher block countertop for a rehab/flip project?

I personally like how they look, and they are also relatively cheap/easy to process/cut being wood and all.

I'm seriously thinking of installing one on a property, but I don't know whether it will be well received.

Anyone have some experience on this?

Thanks.

Katie Neason · Answer

Real Estate is definitely local, but our experience was good with butcher block countertops. We used butcher block countertops from lumber liquidators with an ikea farmers sink. We made all of the kitchen counters butcher block and used the drop off for open shelving. The price point of the house was $139,000 which is "lower middle range" as an overall price, however the price per sq ft was $105 which definitely stretched the comps for the neighborhood. The house was a 3/1 which can also be a tough sale however we got a full price all cash offer at the open house. The one thing I would do differently going forward is use it as an accent counter rather than all the counters. I attached some pics in case it helps get a feel for the style house we used it in.

Josh Caldwell · Answer

When I think from my buyers perspective, there are some buyers who would prefer a butcher block look, but the majority of my flip buyers want granite or nothing.   Grantie seems to have become the material of choice of all kitchen remodels in my area.

When I buy my granite directly from the supplier, the prices are much better than at the bog box stores or at any specialty store.  I found the supplier by seeing them deliver to my local home depot store.

Katie Neason · Answer

The buyer loved it and the cost was similar to granite. I guess it was because of my realization of the high maintenance of them.  we oiled and oiled them after we installed them and were so careful to clean water up quickly so they would not stain, that I thought personally they would be a pain.

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Dylan Swanson · Answer

Thanks for the feedback @Katie Neason and @Jesse Dresbach !  I was thinking of finishing them with a food-safe poly instead of oiling them.  I would think the apron style sink would help too with keeping water off them.  We'll see.

Jesse Dresbach · Answer

I've lived with a butcher block - I have mixed feelings. They look incredible, but around a sink they eventually get all kinds of water damage. And this was a very high end butcher block counter that was re-oiled several times a year. I agree, maybe doing an island would be better - away from the wear and tear of sinks, stoves, & ovens. Also - for some reason people seem to think you can just chop all over that thing, so warn your buyers. It's not a cutting board!

Dylan Swanson · Answer

@Katie Neason , when you said that, going forward, you would only use butcher block as an accent piece, is that more because of the cost or because of buyer feedback?  I have a similar kitchen in a townhouse I'm flipping, and I was thinking of doing something similar to what you have pictured.  Thanks!

Don Harris · Answer

@Katie Neason thx for the photos and details, Nice results!

Andrew Cordle · Answer

@Udayabagya Halim

I have only used it a couple times. And I normally only use it on an island more as a focal point.

Looking back, I would not use it for all the cabinets unless I went with a very nice upgraded butchers block.

Butchers block is similar to granite or quartz there are many different grades.

Saying that, using it on an island with granite or quartz being the main countertop space we did very well with style and sold many flips.

Hope that helps!

Andrew

Jean Bolger · Answer

It depends on your local fashions, of course, but you don't see too many wooden counter tops these days.  I happen to like the look too (however, I also have never really cared that much for granite counters, so that shows how out of step my tastes are- lol!). If you use wood around the sink you can have issues with mold & swelling. It's more common to see them on islands.

My guess is that it would not be a plus to most buyers, but I'd be curious to hear more opinions

Troy Knight · Answer

It takes a special client to desire the chopping block. If you're in the $200k+ market then I think it would be a big hit. We did one on just the island and put a hole in it with trash can designation under which was a big success.

If you're too far under that market, I fear you won't have the clients in there that will appreciate it. i.e. the Mcdonalds, hamburger helper, oodles of noodles every night kind of family and they may not like it.

Experience on Butcher Block countertop for House Flip?

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