- level the floors, demo existing tiles and install new flooring - 20K (cost of bathroom floors included in bathroom remodel line item)- demo existing kitchen and install new higher- end cabinets, quartz countertops, new appliances - 35K- remodel 3 bathrooms- 40K- paint inside/ outside - 7K

Oven went out, I bought a large counter-top while we waited for a new one to be delivered and installed. 

Use that one time consultation to define:- An interior paint color scheme (walls, trim, ceiling);- A cabinet/countertop color and type;- Flooring types/styles/colors (carpet, vinyl, hardwood, tile)- Specific finishes (lights, fans, plumbing fixtures, etc)- AppliancesOnce you've defined all these things (I call them all "finishings"), you can use the same ones in *EVERY* house.

@Andrew Kerr -- At what point do you typically measure for and order kitchen cabinets and countertops?  

I found used cabinets on craigslist, countertop at habitat,  front door at a garage sale,  appliances from the next door neighbor, paid people with pizza and beer to paint. 

Then to show off my work and hear the prospect tenants praise the beauty of the counter tops and fixtures was just the instant gratification I needed.

That would have been fine, but just doing that wouldn't have worked, according to 2 lenders I talked to, to justify increase in purchase price.I considered doing a very minor amount of work- just painting the house, putting new floor in kitchen or swapping out existing countertop for cheap granite- something like that.

Paint, cabinets, countertops, I'll do.

Laminate counter tops and white appliances.  

Can anyone recommend a affordable stone countertop vendor/supplier in the central NJ area?