Reface Kitchen Cabinets or replace???

[geffric]

I need to replace or reface my kitchen cabinets...

I think that if i replace, that I will end up spending lots more $$$ because then I will want to add a cabinet here and change one there.. Then I would need a new counter top...and the cost will escalate..

On the other hand, I like my kitchen layout, the counter top is fine, so I am thinking of refacing.. I had an estimate from Home Depot for $ 7000. Not sure if that is high or low or just right???

Has anyone had any experience with cabinet refacing? Are you happy that you did that or are you unhappy and wish that you had replaced the cabinets?


Thanks

 

[geffric]

bumping up to see if any one can help me..

 

[Cindy B]

I don't know if $7000 is high for refacing but it sounds it to me.

We are looking into doing this ourselves, but we also have a carpenter/contractor at home (save on install) so its just a parts issue.

 

[Mskanga]

$7000 for refacing seems kind of high to me, for that price they better replace the cabinets.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK, if you are going to have to lay out that kind of cash you owe to yourself to price out replacements & not just from Home Depot. They are priced high. Find an installer and you will save $$$, get what you want and pay less.
It took us 9 months but we got our flooring down to a reasonable level & got better than what we wanted for cheaper!

 

[soccerchick]

I don't know how big your kitchen is and how much cabinet space you have, but that is high for what I've seen. We looked into it at our old house (about 5 years ago). We had a decent amount of cab. space and DH was going to install the doors, the company would do the refacing. It was close to half your estimate. Depending on labor, installation, etc. it might not be that different of a price now though for new cabs. We found this out w/ countertops. Depended on what you selected.

I'd recommend getting a few more estimates for both the resurfacing and refacing.

 

[geffric]

The Home Depot deal is that they will install new cabinet doors, handles and then put a veneer on the rest of the cabinet. I have a call into the man who did our bathroom remodel a few years ago to see if he can give us an estimate..

Do any of the Chi DISers know someone that you would recommend for a quote I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,
Susan

 

[aprilgail2]

We had ours refaced a number of years ago and last year we just got rid of them all and bought nice new ones....we were sorry we had spent the money to reface them and not just replace them.

 

[jimmytammy]

I do this type of work. $7000 sounds very pricey. Honestly, for around that price you can get a new set of cabinets in this area.
I would say half that amount would be more fair for refacing. Try getting prices from carpenters/cabinetmakers before moving forward. You should get a better price than that. Good luck!

 

[geffric]

anybody else able to help?
Thanks

 

[Taja]

No specific help, but I agree $7000 for refacing cabinets sounds high unless you have a huge kitchen!

Get at least 2 or 3 other estimates from other companies. You should find listings in your local yellow pages. When you get the estimates, get a list of references and the companies license number. Check references and with your local Registrar of Contractors and Better Business Bureau.

What can I say? I'm practical!


__________________
Taja

 

[mousefansmom]

$7000 sounds expensive. If you have an average kitchen, and depending on where you live, that seems high for refacing. We refaced a few years ago, and went through the same dilemma as you. We realized that we couldn't afford to buy the quality we were thinking of replacing and decided to reface. The cabinets we had were made of solid wood, and well made, they were just old and old looking. Replacing the fronts made a world of difference and we even added another cabinet in that the refacers built from my design. It cost us less than $3500. And, we were able to keep the base cabinet, which were of very high quality. Hope that helps.
Mousefansmom

 

[Cinders]

We just looked at a house today that had very dark colored cabinets. DH mentioned his boss had his cabinets refaced 2 years ago and they look great. They had a local interior decorator do them. Since they live in a small town the interior decorator is sort of a "Jill" of all trades. Possibly you could find an individual that does this sort of work rather than a large company like Home Depot to save money.

 

[Beth76]

My house is 23 years old and the cabinets have been resurfaced (by previous owner). They look nice on the outside, but as soon as you open them, they look so ugly. The inside is a very dark (almost black) wood and the shelves aren't in very good condition. I also think $7000 sounds very high for resurfacing, although I have never priced anything like that.

 

[Lewski709]

geffric 7k is way to much for re-surfacing!

Check out some places that aren't necessarily local to purchase from and then get an installer. Way cheaper. I mean, what we are like 1.5hrs away and I know cabinets here are not that high to resurface. Buying new, maybe. Is painting an option?

Did you check Menards?
Online for Discount Direct Cabinets?

 

[Beth]

My DH and I are nearly done with our kitchen. It's been over 6 months!! (of carryout...)

Anyway - somebody here pointed me to this discussion board, and it helped me a LOT! If you'll do a search on re-surfacing, I'm sure you can find lots of info.

Also, if you'll switch to "gallery view," you can see pictures of kitchens that people have posted!

Good Luck! We actually gutted our kitchen back to the walls - all new cabinets, appliances, countertop, floor, backsplash, etc.

I'm glad it's nearly done!

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/

 

[geffric]

Once I get my Digital camera back from the boy scout trip, i'll take a picture of the kitchen ..It's not that big...
Thanks Lewski709
I'll check the cabinet direct website.. any idea what brand name of cabinets are good?.. The Menards near us is pretty crummy, so i haven't checked there..