Dennett, I am so sorry to hear this. Being excited about something like this and then receiving a quote like that!
This below just because I am a problem solver:🙄
I am certain you considered IKEA kitchen cupboards and countertops, but in case you did not, thought I’d mention it. And using a handyman to install them instead of a contractor. We became our own contractors a few years ago and it worked out fine. True it was extra work instead of just hiring one contractor, but I don’t regret it at all.plus there are some great deals at IKEA and the quality is quite good.
Did you look at Ikea’s moveable butcher block kitchen island? We used 2 of them side by side for one side of the kitchen. The shelves below the counter top(2 of them) are open but I made it look good and still useful for holding kitchen stuff.