Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Property owners who want a reasonable way to change the appearance of their kitchen can consider kitchen cabinet refacing. This alternative is great for people who would like to remodel their kitchen, but need to work within a smaller budget. A large part of the kitchen’s appearance is the cabinet fronts. Changing the doors can have a big impact on the aesthetics of your kitchen.

Refacing is a great way to change an out-of-date or drab kitchen. Many people like the layout of their kitchen, but want to change the appearance. That’s a great reason to reface the cabinets. It’s also a great alternative to tearing out the cabinets, appliances, plumbing and electrical to totally change your kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Benefits

The cost of kitchen cabinets eats up a large portion of a remodeling budget, so it stands to reason that you can save a lot of money if you recycle the existing cabinets. Take a look at your cabinets. In many cases, the cabinets are in good shape. Many home improvement centers offer replacement drawers. This is much more cost effective than replacing the entire cabinet. In this instance kitchen cabinet refacing could be the answer. It's worth learning more about refacing before you decide whether to commit to a complete kitchen remodeling project.

Another reason to reface your cabinet doors is in preparation for a property sale. It's a more reasonably priced way to update the appearance of your kitchen without the expense of a complete remodeling project. Sellers have no way to predict what potential buyers want, so it's better to spruce up the cabinets instead of changing the entire kitchen.

What's Involved

Cabinet refacing involves replacing the old doors and drawer fronts. It’s best to visit a local home improvement store to choose the door and drawer fronts that you like. New doors and drawer fronts installations transform a kitchen from drab and gives it a whole new look. Take the time to purchase new and interesting door and drawer pulls. The selection is unlimited, and the right pulls can set off your cabinets.

The advantages of refacing your kitchen cabinets include:

• Less hassle
• Less headaches
• Less expense
• Less family downtime

If you plan to change the countertops as well, make sure your cabinet fronts and drawer pulls complement the new countertops.

Cabinet Options

Most home improvement stores offer special order programs for kitchen cabinet refacing supplies. These companies offer books or brochures for you to review. Many stores display door and drawer front samples, but it's not practical to stock every possible product. Samples and brochures give you an idea of the styles and color choices available before you place your order.

The following links show some of the options offered by one of many manufacturers of refacing supplies:

• Aluminum
• Glass Inserts
• Laminate
• Painted/MDF
• Solid Wood
• Stainless Steel
• ThermoFoil
• Veneer

You may want to visit a small specialty cabinet shops, but keep in mind, these shops are generally more expensive. However, cabinetry shops offer more personalized service than you get at large home improvement centers. The specialty shop employees are usually knowledgeable about their products and can provide detailed product information. The choice about whether to deal with a large home improvement center or a specialty shop depends on your preference, but it’s good to check out both options before making your final decision. You may also want to get a list of customer references. Try to speak with the references personally, to ask questions about their satisfaction with the product and workmanship.

Set a Realistic Timeframe

The actual refacing work usually only takes a couple of days, but several things must be done before the work begins.

1. Measure all cabinets and drawers accurately.
2. Chose new doors and drawer fronts, and allow extra time for the order to arrive.
3. When you speak with the supplier, verify the expected arrival date.
4. Check back with the company and your salesperson occasionally to ensure the delivery is on schedule. Unexpected things happen in all areas of home improvements and delivery delays need to be considered.

Potential Contractors for Your Project

Some homeowners choose to hire a professional handle the project. When you hire a professional, you must worked with their schedule. Some people choose to have home improvement projects done at a specific time, such as when family members are away or when it suits your schedule. This needs to be conveyed to the contractor clearly, and preferably in writing.

When you speak with a professional, keep these things in mind:

1. Get all price estimates in writing.
2. Request references, and take the time to contact the people about their project.
3. Insist on a contract in writing, and be sure you and the contractor sign it.
4. Verify with the state Board of Contractors that the person is licensed.
5. Request a copy of liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
6. If you make any changes in the job description, request a detailed change order in writing, and it needs to be signed by you and an authorized person from the company.
7. Include the completion date on the contract.
8. Read the contract and make sure you understand it before signing.

These are some of the primary concerns to consider before choosing a person to do the work for you. A kitchen cabinet refacing job isn’t a large project, but the smallest home improvement project can become a major headache if you don’t lay the proper groundwork.

Written by ShriHenkel