Calculating Your Cabinet Refacing Costs

Say that your kitchen cabinets look ratty and tired. The doors have been cleaned down to the surface and still are discolored and ugly. Your custom or stock kitchen cabinets can cost less money if you reface them--rather than if you replace them. Adding spry new doors, attaching smooth-operating hardware, and applying new veneer can transform your kitchen. But how do you estimate your cabinet refacing costs?

First, get some estimates from qualified cabinet refacing professionals. You'll find a dramatic variance in pricing depending on the quality of materials, the size of your kitchen, and extras you might want to include in your budget. In general, most kitchen cabinet contractors will charge by what they call an "opening". Each kitchen cabinet door counts as an opening, and if you have single cabinets with double doors, you can expect a charge for two "openings."

What's Included in Cabinet Refacing Costs

Another sound reason to collect several bids is that not all contractors prepare estimates alike. If you have upper cabinets, you may be charged extra to have the bottoms refaced.

It's not unusual to pay within the wide range between $1,000 and $6,000--still less expensive than having custom or stock kitchen cabinets replaced. When costing, be sure to ask your bidders if the job includes all new doors, drawer fronts, valence, molding, and hardware (hinges, handles, pulls, and knobs). Hardware costs vary as well, whether you're using traditional exposed hinges or hidden, European styles.

Sources

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Pricing_for_Cabinet_Refacing.html
http://kitchens.bobvila.com/Article/865.html