5 Secrets Cabinet Refacers Won't Tell You About Cabinet Refacing Costs
By Kelly RichardsonRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
Cabinet refacers get paid two ways. Either they pocket the entire bill, minus materials, or they get a percentage of the total project cost if they work for another company. That means the more you pay, the more they get.
1. Cabinet Refacing Costs Less than Full Replacements.
It's not uncommon for cabinet refacers to suggest replacing your cabinets as opposed to refacing them. According to Bob Vila, a typical refacing job generally costs between $1,000 and $5,000. That's opposed to This Old House estimates of $25,000 or $30,000 redoing the kitchen with new cabinets. Do the math.
2. Going Green Doesn't Have to Be Expensive.
Eco-conscious cabinet materials are becoming cheaper by the day, primarily because of the push for green building. Not only that, but you can even earn tax credits for eco-friendly projects that meet federal guidelines.
3. Hardware Can Jack Up the Prices.
Don't let cabinet refacers up-sell you cabinet hardware materials that you don't want or need. Brass and copper hinges, slides and pulls will raise cabinet refacing costs considerably. Imitation metals look much the same, without the high price tags.
4. Pay for Materials and Labor--Not Project Length.
The best way to keep costs affordable is to get an estimate from the contractor before work even begins. The estimate should be in writing and it should outline the projected cabinet refacing costs for materials and labor.
5. You Can Do It Yourself (DIY).
This applies to those homeowners who have some real DIY experience. Newbies may want to use professional cabinet refacers. But if you're capable, refacing or replacing kitchen cabinets yourself will cut hundreds of dollars off of typical cabinet refacing costs.
About The Author
Kelly C. Richardson, MEd is a freelance writer and manic do-it-yourselfer. He specializes in home improvement projects ranging from savvy landscaping to house repair and beyond. Find out more about him at kellyrichardsoncopywriting.com.
