Upgraded kitchen cabinetry adds instant value to a home — but if buying new is a budget buster, consider the less expensive options of refinishing or refacing instead.
National Kitchen and Bath Association data show refacing will cost about half of what you would spend for comparable new kitchen cabinets, while refinishing can cost as little as one-third. Both save time and money and work best if you are satisfied with the existing layout of the kitchen.
Glenn Tobias, owner of Ravensworth Custom Home Improvements, recently completed a refinishing project for a Pentagon City condo kitchen. Susan Campbell, owner of Staging to Sell in Arlington, hired Tobias after her clients tried to sell the condo as is, with an outdated kitchen.
“It just showed so poorly,” said Campbell, who understood that the type of buyer who values an easy commute over a larger home is less likely to want a fixer-upper. “It was a no-brainer. It had to be done.”
Because the cabinet bases were in good condition, refinishing became the most cost-effective method. “Cheaply made cabinets [particle board sides, for example] should never be considered for refacing or refinishing by a professional,” Tobias said. “The cost-to-benefit ratio will not be acceptable. Substandard outcome is assured.”
Tobias refinished the cabinets with a dark stain, added new hardware and granite countertops. The kitchen looks brand-new and “move-in-ready,” Campbell said.
Refinishing includes stripping existing paint and finish off doors, drawers and all other cabinetry in the kitchen. Cabinets are then sanded and refinished with paint or stain.
“Although there are cabinet lines which can be obtained in one to two weeks, in most cases, refinishing is going to be much faster,” Tobias said. “It’s great for an owner who has no plans to ever move out, flipping real estate or updating a starter home.”
Christine Meyers of French Flair and Faux said it usually takes her a week to refinish a small to medium kitchen and costs start around $3,400. She said most people request off-white, pale greens or gray. “They want a rustic look, and almost always, people want me to cover the wood grain,” she said.
With the refacing process, old doors and drawer fronts are replaced with new doors and drawer fronts. A matching veneer is bonded to casework. Although some refacing jobs cost almost as much as new cabinets, savings rack up by reducing labor and construction costs associated with removing and installing new cabinetry. This includes savings on the plumbing, repair and electrical work necessary with kitchen remodels.
“Sometimes when removing cabinets, you discover holes in the wall that need repair, or worse, cause damage to the structure while removing cabinets,” Meyers said.
Home improvement stores and department stores offer refacing services in which new doors can be completed in-house. Stock and custom-made door styles are available, as well as options in drawer glides and accents. Refacing allows for more customizing than refinishing, and may take a little more time, making it the midpoint between refinishing and replacing.
Resources:
www.RavensworthCustom.com|www.RavensworthCustom.com
www.nkba.org|www.nkba.org
www.frenchdesigning.com|www.frenchdesigning.com
www.StagingtoSell.com|www.StagingtoSell.com
