Well, the first step of our kitchen remodel is done. We’ve ordered a custom apron front sink and it is fantastic. First, let’s discuss our options and why we chose a custom sink. After a look on Ebay, we realized we liked two options. One, a 30 inch flat front stainless apron sink, like this:
Pros: 30 inch width, flat front, single basin, great price. Cons: This sink, like most apron front sinks, is between 18 inches and 21 inches from front to back. Which means, we would have a four to seven-inch piece of granite at the back of our sink. That’s okay, but we don’t like the look of a seam at the back.
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Option two is a full depth apron front sink, like this.
Pros: This sink is counter depth, so we could avoid a piece of granite behind the sink. Cons: This sink costs nearly two thousand dollars. Um, heck no am I paying that much for a sink.
So, we took a chance and talked to a custom metal shop in town, just to get a quote on the price of a custom-made-to-our-specifications sink. A few days later, we got a call. The price? Only 650 bucks for our design made of 14 gauge stainless steel. Most other sinks are 18 or 16 gauge, so ours would be more heavy-duty. Just because we’re paranoid perfectionists, we took another trip to the shop with pictures, to place our order. Neither Ben or I have ever had something custom-made without one of us doing the work. It is accurate to say we were apprehensive. Then, we waited. Ben received a call only nine days after confirming the order that our sink was done and ready to pick up. Whoa, that was quick.
We decided it would be best for Ben to drill a hole for the faucet, just to be safe. Our sink is 30 inches wide, 25 inches from front to back and nine inches deep, exactly.
Completely perfect. Well, nearly. The weld and bend marks are slightly more visible than Ben would like, but he should be able to sand it down.
Actually, he has already started. But, he made a mistake by using a random orbital sander.
Rather than the ‘grain’ of the steel showing, you see the circluar pattern from the sander. But, Ben bought a different sander, so we’ll share an update once things get further.
Now, allow me to explain why we opted for a custom, $650 sink over a store-bought $320 sink. First, we got exactly what we wanted. Seriously, I had my doubts that the sink would live up to our expectations, but it exceeded everything I had imagined. Secondly, our granite company charges $400 to cut and polish a hole for a sink. Essentially, our sink total for the store-bought version would come in at 720 dollars. Our custom-made sink eliminates the sink cutting charge, which means we’re actually saving 70 bucks for our custom sink.
868 dollars spent on the kitchen so far, several thousand more to go. One project down, roughly 786 left.
Have you had something custom made? Did it make you happy? Or was it nothing like you hoped for?
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
Love it – I’m all for doing things a little differently, even if they seem expensive. A couple of years ago, I was sprucing up my kitchen and was aching for a Big Chill refrigerator – you know, the colored kind that look vintage? I just couldn’t stomach spending $3,000 for one, though. Instead, I bought a curvy, standard model (got it for a great deal using Energy Star incentives, too) and had it painted cherry red at a local auto body shop. The paint cost $500, but I saved $2,200 over the Big Chill model. The fridge is a showpiece in my kitchen and I adore it. Here’s more about it: http://www.news-gazette.com/blogs/area-extras/2010-05/theres-fire-engine-my-kitchen.html
That’s awesome. I would have never thought to have our local stainless shop build a custom sink. It’s something to definitely keep in mind for the future!
I love it. You might as well spend a little bit more to get something you really like and something that’s a higher quality. At least that’s my approach. Typically, if we try to buy something cheaper, we end up spending more money to replace it, and we’re out of that original amount.
Beautiful sink. Paying a little bit extra is not bad especially since you’ll probably spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Also, I do love the new look of your blog and the e-mails. So chic.
Leslie, I didn’t think that either. It was all Ben’s genius idea. 🙂
Kristen, I totally agree. When it’s something that isn’t an accessory, going for a better designed, higher quality item is probably better. The more permanent something is, the better it should be.
Monique, Thank you so much! I think the changes are for the better, so it’s nice to hear someone agreeing. Haha.
I’m going to need two things next summer: that sink, slightly tweaked, fabricated for my kitchen and I’ll need you to deliver it to me in MN.
Love,
Your fav Sis
I’ve been looking at countertops, but given the length of ours we’d have to have a seam somewhere, and I don’t like that either. It never occurred to me to have a “full length” sink – thanks for the idea. Yours looks great!
Hi Ainhoavega, I’m so glad we’ve helped you with your counter top solution. 🙂 Good luck!
Amanda
I am thinking of doing the exact same thing for my kitchen remodel and for the same reasons, too. I’d love to hear how this sink has worked for you since your posting.
Hello Katie!
We have since moved from that house, but loved that sink there so much that we had a 36 inch wide version made for our new one. No complaints from us about it, so I say go for it! 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda