Home & Garden
How Much It Really Costs To Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets
Sure, it's what's inside that counts when it comes to dating. But when it comes to cabinetry, looks really do matter.
Cabinets can make or break the entire kitchen. Sometimes, they need a full-fledged facelift to enhance the kitchen’s functionality and aesthetic. Other times, a fresh coat a paint will do the trick.
If your cabinets are in need of an update, you have a few options. Here's a look at a few different cabinet upgrades and how much they stand to cost.
Refacing
Refacing cabinets involves applying new wood veneers to the cabinet bases and installing new doors and drawers. This is typically a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to getting all-new kitchen cabinets.
The total cost of refacing your kitchen cabinets will vary based on a number of factors, including the materials used to cover the fronts and sides of your cabinet boxes. The most common options for this job are plastic laminates (which cost an average of $1,000-4,000) and wood veneers (which cost an average of $2,500-6,000).
The size and style of your cabinets' new doors and drawers will impact your bottom line, as will the cost of labor. Hardware replacement (handles, knobs, etc.) is also a cost factor to consider, but will likely be the least expensive part of refacing.
On average, most refacing can be done in two to four days. Cleanup services may cost an additional fee, but homeowners can usually opt to do some of this work themselves. In the end, the average overall total cost to reface kitchen cabinets is $6,697.
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Refinishing
Refinishing your cabinets is another way to give them a new look without purchasing all new materials. When cabinets are refinished, the old paint or stain is removed; the surface is sanded and repaired; and a new paint, stain or varnish is applied to the stripped wood.
The cost will vary based upon the size of your kitchen, the number of cabinets included, and the condition of cabinets, as well as the complexity of the cabinetry and its trim. There are higher-grade stains and varnishes among more affordable options to choose from.
The average homeowner spends $2,654 to refinish their cabinets, with most spending in the range of $1,661 to $3,756.
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Repainting
If your existing wooden cabinets are in good shape and you just want to update their look, painting them may be the best and most affordable option. Although some homeowners try to DIY this task, many hire a professional to ensure the job is done properly.
In order to paint cabinets, all doors and drawers should be removed. Blemishes, cracks and holes should be repaired, and all areas to be painted should be sanded and cleaned. The frames should be painted first, followed by the doors and drawers.
The cost of hiring a professional will vary based on the size of your kitchen, the complexity of your cabinetry and the type of paint used to complete the job. The average cost to have a professional painter complete a small project (like painting kitchen cabinets) is $671.
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Replacing
Sometimes the best (and only) option is to install new kitchen cabinets. This is almost always a more expensive option than refacing, refinishing or repainting cabinets. The overall cost will depend on the type and material of your cabinets.
Cabinet Types: Stock cabinets, which are produced in large quantities, can be found in big box stores. Their cost is usually fairly low, but the buyer is left with few choices when it comes to size, style and finish.
Semi-custom cabinets offer more flexibility and usually allow the buyer some choice when it comes to size range and finish. These will likely be more expensive than stock cabinets while costing less than custom cabinets.
Custom cabinets are one-of-a-kind pieces that are designed to fit your exact needs and preferences. Custom cabinets will be more expensive than stock cabinets or semi-custom cabinets.
Materials: Cabinetry made of wood is the most common, but the type of wood will have a major impact on your bottom line. Pine and red oak, for example, tend to be significantly less expensive than white oak or cherry. Some homeowners opt for non-wood alternatives such as laminate or thermofoil. While these may be less expensive and can be durable, they're difficult to repair if damaged and typically lack the authenticity of real wood.
On average, cabinet installation costs $4,873, with most homeowners spending between $1,852 and $7,954.
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First Photo Credit: Pixabay
