Always go straight to the IRS. The difference here is that you did all the work before you placed the property in service. Any replacement appliances would have the 5 year life.
Per Pub 527:
Increases to basis.
You must increase the basis of any property by the cost of all items properly added to a capital account. These include the following.
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The cost of any additions or improvements made before placing your property into service as a rental that have a useful life of more than 1 year.
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Amounts spent after a casualty to restore the damaged property.
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The cost of extending utility service lines to the property.
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Legal fees, such as the cost of defending and perfecting title, or settling zoning issues
