Cabinet Refacing: An Affordable Alternative to Kitchen Remodeling

by Jane Smallman
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

If your kitchen needs a major facelift but the cost of a complete remodeling job is intimidating, there is one much more affordable alternative you could consider: cabinet refacing. The cost of cabinet refacing is much lower than installing new kitchen cabinets . Exactly how affordable it turns out to be depends on how much of the work you do yourself and the cabinet refacing materials you choose.

Is Cabinet Refacing a Good Idea for Your Kitchen?

The cost of updating your kitchen through cabinet refacing is minimal because your original cabinets are left in place. It is a more affordable alternative to full kitchen remodeling, but before going ahead you must be sure that cabinet refacing will solve your particular kitchen problems. It cannot improve a poor kitchen layout or return old, unstable cabinets to good condition.

If you decide to go ahead, should you do the work yourself or use a specialist company? The lower cost of DIY cabinet refacing makes the project more affordable, but there are some advantages to using a specialist cabinet refacing company.

Advantages of Using a Specialist Cabinet Refacing Company

• Quality; a reputable company should do a good job.
• Speed; the job should be done in 3-5 days, which means you won't miss your kitchen for long.
• Variety; up to 300 different materials and finishes are available.
• Skill; professionals can carry out some processes that would be too difficult for the amateur, like applying two-layer laminates.

Advantages of Do It Yourself Cabinet Refacing

• Cost; some companies supplying do-it-yourself cabinet refacing materials reckon that you can save 50% on the job by doing the work yourself.
• Recognition; no matter how the job turns out you'll feel a sense of pride that you did it yourself.

Whether you decide to do it yourself or employ specialists, there is no doubt that if you are looking for a more affordable alternative to full kitchen remodeling, cabinet refacing could be your answer.

Sources

• Kitchen Magic
• Custom Kitchen Cabinet and Refacing Co

About the Author
Jane Smallman runs a mountain guiding business with her husband. Her early training was in hotel management and she has worked in the hotel industry in France, Holland, the US and the UK. Following this she worked in an administrative capacity for a number of not-for-profit organizations in the UK, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Refugee Legal Centre. While doing this she earned a degree in Social Sciences through distance learning with the Open University. After graduation she progressed to the University of Sussex as a full-time student where she was awarded a Masters Degree in Social and Political Thought.