Search Results for: cabinets

Replace Or Reface Kitchen Cabinets?

01.28.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Dear Diva, Is it cheaper to have my kitchen cabinets refaced or to just replace them?

Thanks, Powell

Powell, that’s a great question! Let me start by first saying that while kitchen cabinet refacing can be less expensive, it depends on what type of cabinets you were planning on replacing your old ones with. If you were going to go to your local big box store and pick out in-stock cabinets, then it could actually be less or about the same price as hiring a professional to reface your existing cabinets. However, if you were looking at having custom-made to order cabinets installed instead, then refacing would definitely be less expensive. This is because in-stock cabinets are usually made of MDF and come in common sizes. By contrast, custom order cabinets come in a variety of materials and tend to cost more because they’re made to order.

For example, in-stock cabinets at a big box store might cost around $1000-$2000, depending on the size of your kitchen. Made to order custom cabinets on the other hand, would probably start at $2500 (for a small kitchen) and go up in price to $15,000 or more, depending on the size of your kitchen and the type of wood you select. Also, these prices don’t include all the extras, like trim, moldings, organizers, door styles, and the upgraded hardware that you won’t get with in-stock cabinets. All of these upgrades are just one of the reasons why price is a hard point to consider when it comes to replacing or refacing your cabinets.

On top of the price debate, there are also pros and cons with regard to replacing and refacing your existing cabinets. I would advise you against just going with the cheapest option available in either case. Instead, ask yourself whether you like the layout and size of your existing cabinets? If the answer is no, then refacing your cabinets wouldn’t be a good fit as your cabinets would look nicer, but they would still be lacking the desired functionality and size. If the answer is yes to the above layout question, then refacing your cabinets would be a great option!

The average price of professional kitchen cabinet refacing is 20%-30% of the cost of getting new cabinets. I would point out that this price is the cost of going with custom-made to order cabinets, and not off the shelf cabinets found in a big box store. Like the price of new custom cabinets, this cost will go up or down depending on the options you choose. You’ll have the option to choose new door fronts, as well as, new hardware and trim. So once you find out the base price of refacing your cabinets, you’ll be in control as to how much you’ll spend on the extras. It will be completely up to you.

Like so many questions about home improvement products and services, there isn’t any one right answer to the “replace or reface kitchen cabinets” debate. Instead, it’s important to figure out what you’re looking to gain from this kind of upgrade and then go from there. Regardless of whether you end up replacing or refacing your existing kitchen cabinets, remember to consider the useability of the space and not just the price of the cabinets. At the end of the day, you don’t want to waste money on something you won’t be happy with in the long run.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Different Opinions Of IKEA Kitchen Cabinets

04.07.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Summary: There are a lot of opinions surrounding the idea of installing IKEA kitchen cabinets. In this piece, we’ll examine the benefits of making an informed decision vs one made without doing research on IKEA kitchen cabinets first.

So you’re trying to find different opinions of iKea kitchen cabinets? I mean, come on, installing new kitchen cabinets under the best circumstances is a huge undertaking. So one must ask themselves whether or not it makes sense to use the “iKea kitchen cabinet option” or instead, shop around for something else on the Web.

In this article, I will not only show you that IKEA cabinets can be a cost effective alternative to buying something from one of your other big box stores, but with the proper direction, you could end up saving yourself a BUNDLE.

Get the guide

Introducing Kitchen Remodeling Help. This guide will take you by the hand, before you even consider making any significant investment in your kitchen and helps you to explore the potential of going with IKEA kitchen cabinets.

So what does this guide have to offer you? If you’re considering the IKEA cabinet option for your kitchen, the above guide will help you with:

Avoiding costly mistakes when purchasing AND installing IKEA cabinets.

Saving a bundle on the purchase of the IKEA cabinets in addition to the installation itself.

Keeping the kitchen usable during the course of the cabinet installation.

Tons of pictures to help you better visualize the desired outcome.

How to take things further, if you want, with a full IKEA kitchen remodel while NOT creating a six month remodel project.Complete checklists to help ensure that the entire project runs like clockwork with minimal hassle.

How to install the ledger board to make your cabinets two times more sturdy.

Can’t you find this information out free someplace else?

Not too likely, no. As you can see, even consumer reports articles and reviews for the IKEA kitchen cabinets are not really a whole lot of help in helping you to make the best decision for your kitchen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZM1R3Z5dX8

Buy the guide and how to BEFORE investing in IKEA cabinets!

Knowledge is power and having a firm plan in place before investing in any kind of kitchen cabinet purchase will save you from disaster later on. Why purchase IKEA cabinets only to find that there were factors you did not consider BEFORE you purchased them? Buy the guide, do the research first and then when you’re ready, use the same guide to ensure that your IKEA kitchen cabinets are installed on plan and on schedule, right, the first time.

Installing Kitchen Cabinets

06.07.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Cheri writes:

I am going to remodel my kitchen myself and I have read that there is a great deal of money to save in putting together and installing kitchen cabinets yourself. I’ve never done anything like this before, how do I know if I can handle this project myself?

Yes, there definitely is money to be saved in putting together and installing kitchen cabinets yourself. However you’ll want to make sure that you are not signing yourself up for a project that is above your head. And I don’t just mean that literally! If I had a dollar for every home owner that asked my advice after starting a project that they were unable to finish, I’d be writing this post on a sandy beach in the Bahamas sipping a drink out of a coconut! But since I don’t charge a dollar for home improvement advice, I’ll have to settle for sitting right here in my home office. That said, thank you for asking me before you had your kitchen torn up and ordered cabinets you may or may not have been able to use! Please read on before deciding whether or not you should put together and install your own kitchen cabinets.

First of all, if you are going to put kitchen cabinets together yourself, make sure you do your research and read all the product reviews first. Especially if you aren’t that handy at improvising when a screw hole hasn’t been pre-drilled or a piece is labeled backwards. This can all be avoided by just doing your research before making your purchase. Notice this concept has been repeated, it is important! The fact of the matter is that some companies just offer better instructions and/or product than others. And just because you are opting to put together your own cabinets does not mean you should go with the cheapest company possible.

Save the money on shipping and assembly but spend a little extra on a good quality cabinet. Maybe your budget couldn’t afford solid hardwood cabinets when you were pricing them already assembled, but maybe it can now that you are doing the work yourself? Also, if you’re planning on painting or staining the cabinets yourself, don’t you dare think of anything other than unfinished hardwood. Purchasing a melamine or particle board cabinet will only make the painting that much harder. What is underneath still counts, even if you are only going to cover it up!

When it comes to installation of kitchen cabinets, the information above still applies. Another factor to consider is whether or not you are physically able to install the cabinets. Especially the upper wall cabinets. Those take a fair amount of strength to hold in place and should only be done with another’s help. A previous client of mine decided to tackle this project on her own and broke her foot when the cabinet she was trying to screw to the wall fell and hit her. This is something you can avoid with proper preparation and patience. One way to make sure you’re properly prepared is to read up and watch videos on the correct installation. Had my previously mentioned client done this first, she wouldn’t have been saddled with a cast for six weeks!

It’s also important for me to mention that I’m not cautioning you against putting together and installing kitchen cabinets yourself. Rather, that I’m cautioning you on not being properly informed before you start the project. Truth be told if you can follow directions and enjoy putting other pieces of furniture together than you can probably do this yourself. And if you are handy with a drill, can use a level and have someone else available to lend a hand as needed, installation wouldn’t be that difficult. Just make sure you are not being penny wise and pound foolish if these traits do not sound like you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqIocxwxg2w

In the spirit of getting as much knowledge on this subject as possible, I am leaving you with this great four part series on installing cabinets in your kitchen.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Refacing Kitchen Cabinets

06.07.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Just a few years ago, buying new kitchen cabinets might have made a lot of sense. However, we live in a tighter economy now and people are looking to stretch every dollar possible during a kitchen remodel. In order to do this, it’s important to know your options, know what you can salvage and what has to be purchase brand new. This is especially true when it comes to kitchen cabinets.

This brings a lot of people into refacing old kitchen cabinets. After all, why spend $5000 when you can do it for a $1000, right? The problem is refacing a cabinet. While it seems like a great idea, it might be more work than most people realize. But when compared to an all out cabinet replacement, the hassle may be well worth it. Worst case scenario, hire a professional if you feel like it’s over your head. After all, it’s still cheaper than replacing the cabinets from scratch.

What does a cabinet refacing entail?

So what exactly is cabinet refacing. Many people get the term refacing and refinishing mixed up. Truth is, each one is substantially different. Cabinet refacing translates into new doors and veneer applied to the face and exposed sides of the cabinets. The wood on the exposed sides of the cabinet will need to be cleaned with TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) before the veneer is applied to the cabinets. There are other steps involved as well, so make sure you research the project thoroughly before starting.

The drilling for new hardware isn’t so bad, but knowing where to apply the veneer and how to cut around it, is pretty important to get right the first time. Mistakes can be costly.

Refinishing is also an option

If the idea of refacing cabinets sounds a bit daunting or perhaps the cost it prohibitive, consider refinishing instead. This works best for cabinets that you are willing to clean, then prime and paint over. Obviously this is something that is very case by case, depending on your skill level, but is totally doable nonetheless. The cost of doing this, is next to nothing compared to replacement or refacing costs.

Just go with new IKEA cabinets

If the configuration of the old kitchen is not ideal sometimes you do indeed, need to start completely over with brand new kitchen cabinets. Refinishing and refacing simply will not change the location of a cabinet! In instances like this, I would give serious consideration to the contents of this article on IKEA kitchen cabinets.

Weighing out your options

So the take away from all of this is that you are not without choices. When you find yourself against the wall with your budget don’t forget that you have options! Custom cabinets are not the only way to go when you are remodeling your kitchen. You can reface or refinish the existing cabinets or if you have to replace check out IKEA.

Environmentally Friendly Kitchen Cabinets

02.28.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Chris writes:

My partner and I are remodeling our 40 year old house and we have hit a major roadblock! We both have agreed on wood cabinets, but neither of us know what type to get. The problem is we want something environmentally friendly but don’t know how to make a good choice in this realm.What environmentally friendly kitchen cabinets would you choose?

When it comes to environmentally friendly kitchen cabinets, you’ve got a few options to choose from. What works best for you guys really depends on your style and how environmentally conscious you wish to be. Because you’ve said that you both want wood, here are your two main options when it comes to being environmentally friendly:

#1 Use your old cabinets! Repainting, refacing or re-staining your existing cabinets will help keep them out of a land fill and stop new resources from being used up! Obviously this option doesn’t work for every kitchen remodel, but if you like the layout of your existing cabinets, the size and quality work for you, refinish the existing instead of replacing. This will save you hundreds to thousands of dollars. And there are many options out there from refinishing your own cabinets to hiring someone else to do it. However let me stress the most important point here. In order for this to work, you need to love your existing cabinet layout and size. Otherwise reusing your existing cabinets will do you no good. And no matter which direction you go, you can make sure the paints, stains or glues are low VOC and environmentally friendly.

#2 Renewable resources! Consider going with a fast growing renewable resource like bamboo. Since bamboo is actually a grass and not a tree it grows at a much quicker rate, it only takes 3-7 years to reach maturity and be ready for construction purposes. While trees are a renewable resource, they’re a slow growth renewable resource. Depending on the tree species, it’ll take closer to 30-70 years for a tree ready to be harvested. If you’re going with a wood cabinet, it’s important to make sure that it is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. This means that an independent certifier has followed the wood from the forest to the manufacturing plant, making sure sustainable forestry practices were being followed. If you go with something like bamboo or a FSC wood kitchen cabinet, it’ll be an environmentally friendly choice either way!

Now I know you asked specifically which cabinets I would go with and I didn’t really answer that question directly. This is because I don’t know any of the specifics of your kitchen or your style?

There really is no secret here, you’ve just got to go with something that suits your life and your home. You probably already know what type of wood or even the color you like. So stick to that and just ask if it’s FSC certified!

One other thing. Each region of the country has its own environmentally friendly kitchen cabinet companies, so you may not even be able to find my suggestion locally. In addition, cabinets are expensive to ship, plus eat up a lot of natural resources to be shipped. So you will do better going with someone locally if you intend to truly stay environmentally friendly.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.