Selecting appliances for your custom home is one of the most exciting milestones in the custom home building process. The right appliances don’t just complete your kitchen and laundry room—they influence how your home functions every day while enhancing its style, efficiency, and long-term value.

At Kimball Construction, we help homeowners throughout Eugene and Western Oregon select appliances that complement their home’s design while ensuring every appliance fits perfectly within the cabinetry, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems. Our goal is to make appliance selection simple, organized, and stress-free.

When Should You Select Appliances?

Many homeowners assume appliances are one of the last decisions made during construction. In reality, appliance selections should typically be finalized before cabinetry is ordered.

Choosing appliances early allows us to:

• Verify cabinet dimensions
• Coordinate plumbing and electrical rough-ins
• Confirm ventilation requirements
• Ensure proper clearances
• Prevent costly changes during construction

Making appliance selections early also helps avoid delays caused by manufacturer lead times, which can range from a few weeks to several months for premium appliances.

Shopping for Appliances Online

Shopping online is one of the easiest ways to compare brands, pricing, finishes, and features before visiting a showroom.

Popular online appliance retailers include:

Best Buy

Best Buy offers a large selection of appliances ranging from budget-friendly models to premium smart appliances.

Benefits include:

• Competitive pricing
• Customer reviews
• Price matching
• Professional delivery and installation
• Financing options

Home Depot

Home Depot carries nearly every major appliance manufacturer and offers excellent online filtering tools.

Features include:

• Search by size, finish, or energy efficiency
• Appliance package discounts
• Extended warranty options
• Local pickup or delivery

AJ Madison

AJ Madison specializes exclusively in home appliances and carries one of the largest selections available online.

Benefits include:

• Luxury appliance brands
• Built-in and panel-ready appliances
• Kitchen appliance packages
• Expert product specialists
• Easy side-by-side comparisons

Shopping at Local Appliance Showrooms

While online research is helpful, visiting a showroom allows you to experience appliances in person before making a final decision.

You can:

• Compare finishes under natural lighting
• Test refrigerator layouts
• Listen to dishwasher noise levels
• Experience induction cooktops
• Evaluate oven controls
• Compare appliance sizes

Ferguson Showroom

Ferguson offers premium appliances and personalized design assistance.

Popular brands include:

• Sub-Zero
• Wolf
• Miele
• Cove
• Thermador
• Bosch

Their consultants can help coordinate appliance selections with your cabinetry and kitchen design.

Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe’s

National retailers allow homeowners to compare popular brands side-by-side while often providing competitive pricing and financing options.

Benefits include:

• Hands-on demonstrations
• Knowledgeable staff
• Financing programs
• Quick availability for many models

Kelly’s Appliances

Local appliance retailers often provide personalized service and faster delivery than larger chains.

Advantages include:

• Individual product recommendations
• Local customer support
• Competitive pricing
• Faster scheduling
• Supporting local businesses

Essential Appliances for a Custom Home

Every custom home is different. The right appliances depend on your lifestyle, cooking habits, family size, and overall design goals.

Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is the centerpiece of most custom homes, making appliance selection especially important.

Common appliances include:

Refrigerators

Popular styles include:

• French Door
• Side-by-Side
• Built-In
• Column Refrigeration
• Panel-Ready Refrigerators

Ranges and Cooktops

Options include:

• Gas
• Electric
• Induction
• Dual-Fuel Ranges
• Separate Cooktop and Wall Oven Combinations

Dishwashers

Look for features such as:

• Quiet operation
• Adjustable racks
• Energy-efficient cycles
• Third racks
• Panel-ready designs

Ventilation

Proper range hood selection is just as important as the cooking appliance itself.

Consider:

• Required CFM
• Exterior venting
• Hood style
• Makeup air requirements (where applicable)

Laundry Appliances

Modern laundry appliances offer significant improvements in efficiency and convenience.

Consider:

Washing Machines

• High-efficiency models
• Front-load or top-load
• Steam cleaning
• Smart monitoring

Dryers

Look for:

• Moisture sensors
• Heat pump technology
• Large capacity
• Stackable options

Smart Home Appliances

Many homeowners choose smart appliances that integrate with their home automation systems.

Features may include:

• Mobile app controls
• Remote monitoring
• Voice assistant integration
• Maintenance notifications
• Energy monitoring

Appliance Sizing Matters

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is selecting appliances without considering the cabinet openings.

Cabinets are typically designed around specific appliance dimensions.

Before purchasing, always verify:

• Width
• Height
• Depth
• Door swing
• Handle projection
• Required installation clearances
• Electrical requirements
• Plumbing connections
• Ventilation requirements

Changing appliances after cabinets are ordered can result in expensive modifications.

Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient appliances reduce utility costs while minimizing environmental impact.

Look for:

• ENERGY STAR® certification
• Water-saving features
• Efficient compressors
• Induction cooking technology
• Heat pump dryers

Although efficient appliances may cost more initially, they often provide lower operating costs throughout their lifespan.

How Kimball Construction Helps

We work closely with homeowners and appliance vendors to ensure every appliance integrates seamlessly into the home.

Step 1: Appliance Planning

We provide appliance specifications and required dimensions early in the design process so cabinetry and utilities can be coordinated correctly.

Step 2: Design Coordination

Once you’ve selected your appliances, we review each model for compatibility with your home’s design, cabinetry, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.

Step 3: Delivery Coordination

We coordinate delivery timing with your appliance supplier to minimize storage needs and reduce the risk of damage during construction.

Step 4: Professional Installation

Our team coordinates installation and final connections so every appliance is installed correctly and operates as intended.

Tips for Choosing Appliances

When selecting appliances for your custom home, keep these considerations in mind:

• Choose appliances before cabinetry is finalized.
• Verify dimensions carefully.
• Compare warranties between manufacturers.
• Consider long-term maintenance and service availability.
• Match appliance finishes with your home’s design.
• Think about future resale value.
• Review lead times for specialty appliances.
• Select features you’ll actually use.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I select appliances during my custom home project?

We recommend selecting appliances before cabinetry is ordered. Early selections help coordinate cabinet dimensions, plumbing, electrical, and ventilation requirements while avoiding costly changes later in construction.

Does Kimball Construction help coordinate appliance selections?

Yes. We review appliance dimensions, coordinate with your cabinetry and mechanical systems, and ensure every appliance is compatible with your home’s design before installation.

Can I purchase appliances myself?

Absolutely. Many homeowners purchase appliances online or through local retailers. We simply ask that final selections be provided early enough to coordinate construction.

Are ENERGY STAR® appliances worth it?

For most homeowners, yes. ENERGY STAR-certified appliances typically reduce electricity and water consumption while lowering long-term operating costs.

Can I mix appliance brands?

Yes. Many homeowners combine brands to get the best performance in each category. For example, you might choose a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf range, and a Bosch dishwasher.

How long do appliance deliveries take?

Standard appliances may arrive within a few weeks, while premium or built-in appliances can require several months. We recommend ordering appliances early to avoid construction delays.

Do you install appliances?

We coordinate appliance delivery and installation as part of the construction process to ensure everything is properly integrated into your custom home.

I’ve selected my appliances online. How do I share them with Kimball Construction?

Most online retailers provide a Share Cart or Share Project feature that allows you to email your appliance selections directly to your Project Manager. This is the preferred method because it includes the exact model numbers, finishes, quantities, and pricing.

Avoid copying the web browser’s address bar, as most online shopping carts are not saved within the URL. Instead, use the retailer’s built-in sharing feature to ensure we receive your complete appliance list.