Your New Kitchen Cabinet Look: How Much Will It Cost?
After several years of the same old look or a number of unintended dingers it might be time to give your kitchen cabinets a face lift. You can either refinish or reface your cabinets for a new look, or you might consider replacing them altogether.
Getting the goods on how much your project should cost before you start can prevent unpleasant surprises later on. Here's a primer on how to start figuring your costs.
Hiring a Professional Cabinet Contractor
The services of a professional are a welcome option when you're considering refacing, refinishing, or replacing your kitchen cabinets and creating a whole new look for your kitchen. Hiring a contractor is the most expensive but easiest way to get the job done. If you need flawless results, this is the way to go.
Talk to at least two contractors and get their estimates in writing. Ask for a reference from each and call them. See how the work turned out and whether the final cost was within the estimate. A contractor should quote you a price that covers all of the expenses including new hardware. Cabinet contractors can range from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on the size of the job.
Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Cabinets
Most homeowners are willing to give refinishing a try when money is a concern. Your biggest investment is your time. Take stock of what you'll need before visiting your local home improvement store.
- Screwdriver to remove hardware and cabinet doors
- Stripping solution
- Medium to heavy grit sandpaper and a sanding block
- Vibrating sander with fine-grit sandpaper
- Wood putty for minor repairs
- Wood sealer
- Stain, polyurethane or paint
- Brush
- Plastic sheet
Most do-it-yourself refinishing projects cost about $200, not counting the cost of purchasing an electric sander.
Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a pro, refinishing costs are typically about half the costs of replacing your cabinets. You can use your savings to upgrade on materials and end up with a luxurious look for less.
About the Author
Greg Keefer has been a do-it-yourselfer with lots of experience in how to do things right and how to do them wrong. He enjoys sharing his experience with the hope of helping others to
