Author: Briglinhall | Published 3:48 PM, August 27, 2021

Tired of the outdated cabinets in your home? A complete kitchen or bathroom renovation to replace old cabinets and renew the floor area is not easy and expensive. This is why more homeowners choose an alternative: cabinet renovation. You can get all the benefits of a new cabinet appearance, but with less work and cost. On average, homeowners paid between US$4,292 and US$9,974, and cabinet renovation costs averaged US$7,132. The number of refurbished cabinets, materials and labor costs will determine the price. A complete kitchen cabinet renovation will cost more than a bathroom cabinet renovation because it is a larger space.

Cabinet renovation is a happy medium between removing and replacing cabinets and simply updating the appearance. When homeowners choose to redecorate their cabinets, the contractor removes the cabinet doors and hardware, and then repaints new laminate or veneer finishes, doors and drawers, and hardware. They will also carry out any minor repairs. You can get a fully updated cabinet at a cost of nearly half of the entire cabinet replacement project, which is why it is an attractive option for cost-conscious homeowners. However, if your existing cabinets are damaged, perform poorly, or you just need a better layout, this may not be the best choice. Renovation projects are more used to update the appearance rather than the function or the overall design. When the cabinet renovation project is completed, your kitchen will take on a new look in the original space.

When updating cabinets, there are three options: refurbishment, replacement and repair. Below is a breakdown of how each option works, and their average cost.

The cost of refurbishing cabinets is usually between 4,000 and 9,000 US dollars, which is on average at least 30% to 50% cheaper than replacement cabinets. Installers can update the entire finish to a new color or texture; add new doors, drawers and hardware; and correct minor problems. During the update, the cabinet boxes remain in place, but they will be processed and refurbished with new finishes.

Replacing cabinets provides an opportunity to completely redesign the layout and quantity of kitchen cabinets. This is a more complex process that will include other considerations, such as covering the location of old cabinets with new floors, adjusting the location of lamps, and installing new countertops. When you replace the cabinet, the entire cabinet box will be removed to make room for the new cabinet. The cost of replacing cabinets (excluding other retrofit costs) averages from US$4,500 to at least US$18,000.

Choosing to repair cabinets is a more cost-conscious choice, but it has limitations. Refurbishing cabinets means that the cabinets only need to be resurfaced with new paint or stains. Some cabinets cannot be repaired, so it is not always an option. In addition, refurbishing cabinets does not include replacing doors and drawers for the new design. However, if your cabinet is classic and a bit worn out, this may be what you need.

When planning a cabinet renovation cost budget, homeowners need to consider the quality of materials, the size of the updated kitchen or room, and labor rates in different locations.

There are several options for refurbishing existing cabinets: laminate, high-quality veneer and solid wood veneer. Laminate is the cheapest and may crack or chip over time, while solid wood is the most durable option because it is a very thin piece of solid wood placed on the cabinet. The price will depend entirely on the number of cabinets that need to be refurbished and the current local price, but some general averages are as follows.

Each cabinet that needs to be refurbished will increase the cost of the total price. For any renovation project, a large kitchen is naturally more expensive than a small kitchen, and remodeling cabinets is no exception. For an ordinary full-size kitchen, the homeowner may need to pay between $7,000 and $12,000 to redecorate the 30-foot-long kitchen cabinets.

Preparing and refurbishing cabinets is a time-consuming and challenging process. Before removing doors and drawers and sanding each exposed surface, the contractor must carefully measure the inside and outside. Only in this way can new finishes be applied and new doors, hardware and drawers can be replaced. If the average cost of a kitchen cabinet refurbishment is between 7,000 and 12,000 US dollars, then approximately 4,500 to 7,500 US dollars will be used for labor.

There is no difference in the cost of refurbishing cabinets based on the room type; the cabinets are cabinets no matter which room they are placed in. The price difference is based on the number of cabinets and the different materials. The cost of refurbishing an office or bedroom with a lot of cabinets may be as much as a small kitchen.

Labor and material costs vary depending on your location. Costs in urban areas are often higher than in more rural or suburban areas, and even prices in a metropolitan area are different. Here are some average cabinet renovation costs by city:

When venturing into a cabinet renovation project, there are other options to improve the appearance of the kitchen or bathroom. Refurbishing countertops is a popular choice, but the homeowner may also want to update some cabinet accessories, hardware or mirrors.

If you are updating a very old cabinet, it is worth considering updating the laminate countertops at the same time. Once the cabinet has a new look, the countertop may stick out like a sore thumb. Depending on the size and type of the counter, the cost of refurbishing with new laminate is approximately US$400. Make sure the colors match so that everything in the kitchen blends well.

Redecorating the cabinets is just one way to enhance the appeal of the kitchen. Many homeowners also choose to add under-cabinet lighting, crown molding, or glass inserts (usually between $100 and $400 per linear foot). Other upgrades may include hidden trash cans, built-in wine racks, or a new Lazy Susan. Ask your local contractor what other services they provide and the prices.

Replacing the knobs or handles of the cabinet may be essential for the overall upgrade, because some hardware is obviously out of date. The price range of the new handles is wide, so you can pay a fee ranging from $1 to $100 per item. Hinges are a much cheaper piece of hardware, usually priced between $1 and $25 each.

Some bathrooms have built-in cabinet mirrors. Since they are custom parts, they are more challenging to replace, but it is expected to pay between US$250 and US$900, including installation costs. As always, it depends on the size and quality of the material.

You might be wondering if refurbishing cabinets is a good investment: definitely. The return on investment (ROI) of cabinet refurbishment costs is 65% to 75%. Not only that, but for those who wish to sell their homes, fresh cabinets are also a huge selling point. In addition, redecorating cabinets can help extend their lifespan by another 20 to 30 years.

There are four common finishes to choose from to redecorate cabinets. But in these options, there are a variety of colors and textures to choose from. Some options are more durable than others, but even budget-friendly options can update the appearance of cabinets well.

Wood veneer is a high-quality option that provides the best artificial wood appearance without the higher cost of natural wood. They are made of thin strips or flakes and look like oak, birch, walnut, maple, ash, hickory, etc. They should be sealed to help prevent wear and tear in a humid kitchen or bathroom environment. Wood veneer is stronger than laminate but not as strong as solid wood. The average cost ranges from US$2,500 to US$6,000.

Laminate refurbishment costs range from US$1,000 to US$4,000. It is one of the cheaper options that offers a variety of color options. It does not have the long-lasting resistance to chipping or cracking provided by other rework materials. Compared with veneer or wood, laminate can easily wrap corners, making it easier to use laminate for renovation.

In some areas, the most economical option may be rigid thermal foil laminate. It is a plastic laminate that also looks like wood and requires little maintenance. This type can be made with Formica or melamine, but the melamine version does not work well in humid or hot environments. On average, you will pay between US$1,000 and US$3,000 for this type of cabinet renovation.

Refurbished solid wood materials are the best long-term investment for refurbishing cabinets, but they are also the most costly. However, solid wood is the easiest to repair or replace and has the longest service life. The doors and drawers are very durable after refurbishment. For only US$5,000 to US$10,000, you can complete solid wood renovations and make your cabinets look new.

Most Americans spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially when it is designed as an open floor plan, it extends directly into the spacious lounge area. When there are old cabinets in the kitchen, walking into the space will feel dull and dull, because they occupy most of the visual space of the kitchen. If you can't choose a complete kitchen renovation, redecorating the cabinets may bring you a fresh feeling. There are a variety of styles and options, the process is faster, more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than transformation.

There are almost as many renovation options as cabinet options. You can update the cabinets with grey driftwood, bright white, or an eye-catching black modern look. The color, style or texture of the cabinet can completely change the room. When so many decoration styles can be obtained at a lower cost, home decoration does not have to include blowing up walls, redesigning the floor space, or other expensive options. Take a trip to The Home Depot or your local cabinet company to see what options are available for cabinet refurbishment.

Kitchen renovation may take several weeks, depending on the scale of the project, but the cabinet renovation project only takes less than a week. This is the easiest and fastest way to improve any room that needs to update the cabinets. The cabinet box stays in place, so the installer only needs to redecorate each surface, update the hardware, and install new or updated doors and drawers.

Most cabinet renovation projects take place in the kitchen, where most of the cabinets are located. In most cases, the kitchen has more space for the installer to work, so it is easier to complete the work, which means you pay less labor costs.

If you are aware of your carbon footprint or the amount of waste generated, cabinet renovation is the wisest choice compared to the entire renovation. The installer does not need to dismantle and dispose of all old cabinets, walls, floors or any other materials that were removed during the renovation process.

Cabinet renovation is a much smaller job that can provide you with all the benefits of an overall cabinet renovation. You can get fresh, clean and stylish cabinets at a lower cost than installing new cabinets, because you can save materials and labor.

You may know that it is difficult to install cabinets to ensure that they are level and even. But what about redecorating the cabinets? Surprisingly, refurbishing cabinets is considered more challenging than installing cabinets because the materials take some time to become familiar. Don't confuse refurbished cabinets with refurbished cabinets. This is a typical and more direct DIY improvement project undertaken by many homeowners. But the redesign project is best left to professionals. Making a mistake will quickly consume any savings you realize by trying a DIY installation, not to mention that it may take longer to complete.

Veneer, laminate, and solid wood veneer materials are difficult to measure and apply to cabinets to ensure that they will not spread out or let moisture in over time. The installer also uses a variety of unusual tools to complete the work. This experience allows you to have a brand new and updated cabinet in just 3 to 5 days, and it can last for many years. To give you peace of mind, the installation company should provide a warranty or guarantee to help protect your investment.

We all like to save money on large-scale home improvement projects because they can quickly exhaust our budget. Fortunately, refurbishing cabinets is already cheaper than replacing cabinets, so you can easily save money. Check these tips to save more cabinet renovation costs.

Always ask potential contractors about their experience and whether they are insured and licensed (for cabinet renovations, licenses and permits may not be required, but please check the laws of your local jurisdiction for requirements). You want to know that you are hiring a qualified expert who can meet the challenge. Here are some other questions you can ask to help you choose the right professional.

Compared with the overall renovation, you need to make fewer decisions for the cabinet renovation project, but it is best to have as much information as possible. Working with professional companies will help alleviate your worries and ensure the quality of the work you do. Armed with the answers to these common questions, you can be fully prepared to start a cabinet improvement project.

Since refurbishing the cabinet only involves replacing the surface of the cabinet with new materials and updating the hardware, it is cheaper to simply refurbish the cabinet. Since the entire cabinet is removed and a new cabinet is installed, the cost of replacing the cabinet is higher. It requires more labor and materials, which means you will pay more.

Most projects only take 2 to 4 days. It may take longer to update multiple rooms.

It depends on the maintenance and condition of the cabinet. High humidity environments can cause severe damage to some cabinet materials, which means you may need to refurbish them more frequently or upgrade to more suitable and durable materials. Severely damaged cabinets cannot be refinished, so if they sag, warp, rot, or are otherwise visibly damaged, they need to be completely replaced. However, minor surface damage can be corrected during the refurbishment project. Cabinets in good condition that have not been damaged by use or accidents can be refurbished and can be used for at least 20 to 30 years.

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