Cabinet Refacing Basics: Plan Ahead To Help Your Project Go Smoothly

by Gabriel Traverso
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Kitchen cabinet refacing is one of the most cost effective ways to update the look and feel of your St. Louis kitchen. Like any home remodeling project, make sure to plan before you begin.

Cabinet Refacing Planning Step By Step

Kitchen remodeling in St. Louis, like anywhere else, can be better executed with a strong budget and plan. By first budgeting for your entire kitchen project, then selecting the most expensive and important elements (whether kitchen cabinets, appliances, or flooring), you can ensure that you get what is most important to you even if you have to skimp on something else. For a refacing project, budget upfront for the part that will make you happiest--from an original finish to creative hardware.

Step One: Write a Budget for Your Cabinet Refacing Project

One of the biggest mistakes St. Louis homeowners can make in any remodeling project is writing their budget as though it's just a general idea and not a hard and fast number. As you start exploring the wide variety of styles and options available in kitchen cabinet refacing it's easy to go overboard. Set a budget you can afford, then research available products that fall within your budget. You might find you have to tweak the budget a bit, spending less on finishing if you want expensive hardware, for example, but it's important to have a reference point to keep you grounded.

Step Two: Make Kitchen Cabinet Design Choices You'll Love

When taking on your kitchen remodeling project, it's important not to think you have to always settle and go for the less-appealing but cost-saving options. Remember that while it is important to stick to your budget, it is equally important to make design choices that you'll love, rather than just be moderately happy with. A kitchen remodeling project can easily go awry when you start to compromise on what you really want.

Step Three: Hire the Refacing Professionals

Unless you have experience working with cabinets, plan to hire a professional contractor. Kitchen cabinets can be one of the most challenging areas in the home to work on -- even for an accomplished amateur. Get in touch with a few licensed St. Louis contractors and compare quotes on the job. Once you've gotten a few quotes go back to your budget and make sure you're still on target.

About the Author
Gabriel Traverso is a freelance writer, professional musician, and an artist. He resides with his family in Reno, NV.