You've decided you want new kitchen cabinets, but the cost is keeping you up at night. After all, brand new cabinets can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000, depending on the size of your kitchen, and the quality and style of the cabinets you choose.
There is one way to save some money and give your kitchen the look and feel you want. You may be able to have your cabinets refinished by a professional instead of replaced.
Refinishing will save a great deal of money, while still giving you that brand new look you crave. But first, you'll have to determine whether or not you even have the option. Consider your cabinets and doors.
Are they...
Warped or Swollen ?
Warping occurs when moisture gets into the wood. The wood fibers swell and expand because the doors suck up the moisture like a sponge. If your cabinet doors are warping, refinishing isn't going to do the trick. You going to have to replace the doors. Some experts have techniques for unwarping doors, but you need to remember that this is not a long term fix. Replacing the doors by calling an expert is your best bet.
Like a New Color?
Perhaps you've had the same color cabinets for a long time. Maybe its outdated and you'd like a change. No need to buy new ones. Updating the color of your kitchen cabinets is a job for a cabinet refinisher. It would be easy to assume you could just splash a couple coats of that trendy color on yourself, but remember, refinishing cabinets is a process that's best left to a pro, especially if you've never tried it before.
Dented or Scratched?
After years of abuse and wear and tear, your cabinets are scuffed, scratched, gouged and dented. Its a problem a lot of face. Especially those of us who have recently moved into an older home, or those of us who have lived with their kitchen for a long time. Just because your cabinets look as if they have tiny holes, dents or scratches in them doesn't mean you need to replace them. A professional cabinet refinisher can prime the surface, cover scratches, fill in gouges and fix dents with expertise.
Outdated Style?
Perhaps you look at your kitchen cabinets and say to yourself, if only I had a different style. After 10 or 15 years you don't want to move or change your layout. Simply changing the door style can spruce up your kitchen's look. In this case, you are going to have to replace the doors. Calling a pro to install new doors is your best bet. While many feel they can accomplish this task themselves, it's not as easy as it seems. A pro will have to properly drill, hang and make adjustments so they function correctly.
Therefore, if you're looking for a way to update your kitchen cabinets without the hefty price tag, you'll be able to save a lot of money by refinishing them professionally. Remember, as long as the doors aren't warped, your cabinets are a great candidate for refinishing. And here's the best part: depending on your area, your situation and measurements, you're looking at a savings of 60-75% off a full remodel.
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