Renovations for your home can be an enjoyable process to plan, but your wallet could say otherwise. Discovering ways to save can be tricky and deciding where to cut costs in order to meet your budget can be difficult. During a kitchen renovation, instead of replacing your cabinets completely, you have the option to save money by using your existing cabinets.
The cabinets in your kitchen take up the majority of the space and make up for almost half of the cost of a kitchen renovation. Depending on the state of your kitchen cabinets, they may or may not be salvageable. If they are, refacing your cabinets is a cost-efficient choice that will leave you with cabinets that look brand new. If they are not worth saving, completely replacing your cabinets is a more viable option in saving on maintenance costs in the future. Take a look at our breakdown to help you decide if you should replace or reface kitchen cabinets.
Refacing
Refacing your cabinets can include, but is not limited to, painting the exterior, replacing the door fronts, the drawers and hardware. Doing this can cut the cost of your kitchen renovation in half. The average cost of refacing your kitchen cabinets is $7,000-$10,000. Keep in mind this price may vary depending on the size of your kitchen, the materials used, and the cost of labour.
Painting
If your cabinets are still in good shape and are only showing minor signs of wear, or if you simply want to change their colour, painting the exterior is a perfect option. Painting your cabinets allow you to play with the colour of your kitchen and customize what best suits your home and style. Painting is the cheapest option for your kitchen cabinet reface and will give your kitchen a whole new look and feel. Costs will vary depending on the number of cabinets and paint used, so be sure to consult a painting pro for a quote.
Replacing Doors and Drawers
As long as the boxes of your cabinets are still sturdy, then it is possible to only replace the doors, drawers, or both. It is only necessary to replace the exterior of your cabinets as no one will see the interior. Replacing the exterior of the cabinets will leave the kitchen looking brand new, even though the interior isn’t. Swapping out the doors and drawers for an updated look can add to the aesthetic of your kitchen and also add value to your home.
Replacing Hardware
Whether you change the colour of your kitchen or change the style of your doors or drawers, replacing the hardware is a simple and cost-effective solution to update your kitchen. Replacing old and worn handles and knobs with new modern styles can give you the feel of a new kitchen without having to fully replace the cabinets.
Replacing
Replacing your kitchen cabinets involves removing the existing cabinets entirely and installing new ones. This option is most ideal if your cabinets are too worn or you would like to change the layout of your kitchen. The average cost of replacing your kitchen cabinets is $12,000-$20,000. Again, these costs may vary and are dependent upon the size of your kitchen, the material selected, and the cost of labour.
Bad Bones
If after inspecting your existing cabinets you notice that they are showing wear and tear, water leaks, or you need to update your plumbing, then replacing your cabinets in the way to go. Ignoring ageing cabinets or signs of leaks may lead to a disaster in the near future. Replacing your cabinets will give you a new beginning and rid of the stress of more costs down the line.
Restructure
If you are thinking about doing anything more with your kitchen than just the cabinets, replacing them is the best option. Attempting to complete a kitchen renovation around your existing cabinets limits your options for your new design and layout. Removing the cabinets completely will give you more wiggle room for knocking down walls or moving structures to accommodate the renovation.
Long-Lasting
If you are at all hesitant as to whether or not you should replace your cabinets, or are concerned about future renovations, replacing them will give you a fresh start. Refacing your cabinets will add more time to the existing cabinets lifetime, but installing brand new cabinets will ensure a long-lasting structure that most likely won’t need tending to in your lifetime. If you do end up going with new cabinets, be sure to read about the important factors when choosing.
Whether you decide to reface or replace your cabinets, the cost is dependent upon what materials you use, their size, and the cost of labour for the job. Choosing the right cabinet material can be difficult so be sure to read over all your options.
There are pros and cons to both refacing or replacing your kitchen cabinets. By understanding the state of your cabinets and your budget it will be easier to make a decision. While refacing your kitchen cabinets allows you to stay in your kitchen versus being unable to use the space, replacing your cabinets gives you a brand new kitchen that will be long-lasting. The decision to reface or replace your cabinets in entirely up to you. If you need a little help still, you can always ask a kitchen renovation pro. Click on the banner below to get quotes and speak to a pro about your options.
