Refacing cabinets: DIY or for the pros?

By Leslie A.M.
RefacingCabinet.com Columnist

Does your kitchen look like the set of "That 70s Show"? Chances are you are a great candidate for cabinet refacing. What is cabinet refacing? It is simply changing the finish of your existing cabinets. It can have a dramatic effect and not cost anywhere near as much as replacing your kitchen cabinets.

Cabinet Refacers

Look in the mirror and decide if you and your spouse are the cabinet refacers or if you are going to hire someone to do it for you. Cabinet refacing is definitely a job you can do yourself, but if you are not interested in taking time off--or even taking your whole weekend--to complete the job, then professional cabinet refacers are probably the route you will prefer.

Cabinet Refacing Costs: Temporary Fix It

Painting and staining are both inexpensive relative to new maple kitchen cabinets or some other nice wood. You wouldn't say that cabinet refacing is an investment in your kitchen. The act of resurfacing kitchen cabinets is a "tide you over" sort of home improvement. It updates your 70s look until you can afford all your dream kitchen renovations. Granted, you might fall in love with your refaced cabinets, but if you don't it's okay because the improvement did not cost an arm and a leg.

Kitchen Cabinet Repair

When you take on the cabinet refacing job, you will benefit from the process--you will take care of all the kitchen cabinet repair as you go along. The cabinet doors are all removed from their hinges, then put back on and tightened. Same with the handles--removed and replaced properly.

What is cabinet refacing? It's the home improvement project that does more than change the color of your cabinets.

 

About The Author

Leslie A.M. Smith is a freelance writer and desperately needs a new kitchen. Until she can afford it, she has her eye on refacing her cabinets.