Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners. Not only does it provide fresh looks too tired and outdated kitchens, it can also provide great returns and provide a key feature for those who are looking to sell their house. Although it’s possible to go all-in with kitchen remodeling and replace all of your cabinets, there’s actually a more inexpensive option suitable for remodelers, even if you’re doing a DIY job.

We’re talking about kitchen cabinet refacing.

Refacing your kitchen cabinets means that you can completely renovate the look of your existing kitchen without having to pay full prices for new cabinetry and kitchen drawers. Kitchen cabinet refacing can even be applied to built-in appliances with vanity panels installed. As a home improvement, refacing your cabinets makes the most sense as far as immediate improvement of your kitchen goes, and it’s also the most cost-friendly option.

Why Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?

• Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Is More Economical.
  Full custom cabinetry in a kitchen can range up to $30,000 and even more for certain materials, so it’s not surprising that the number one reason for homeowners to choose refacing over completely replacing cabinets is for the cost-benefit. Both the labor and materials are reduced by refacing when compared to completely replacing cabinets. This can result in cost savings of tens of thousands that will be a huge benefit whether you’re living in the house or prepping it for sale.
• The work Involved Is Less.
  Because refacing is less complex and uses fewer materials than fully replacing cabinets, the actual work involved is greatly reduced which means that your remodeling can be carried out faster. Busy families will love how fast refacing is when compared to complete cabinet replacements. Cabinet refacing on even a large kitchen can be completed in as few as three days.
• You Can Completely Refresh the Look of Your Kitchen.
  What many people don’t realize is that your cabinetry makes up around 80% of the total visual impact of your kitchen. Just by refacing your cabinets you can achieve a completely different look and feel. If you have an older kitchen, especially ones from the 1970s or 1980s that hasn’t been remodeled then you’ll love the effects of cabinet refacing. Cabinet refacing is also perfect if you have a more modern kitchen and you’re looking to create a new decor to match other home improvements. Because the investment is low when compared to full replacements, choosing cabinet refacing is easy and makes the most sense.
• You Have a Wide Selection of Materials and Designs Available for Your Kitchen.
  When you reface your cabinets you don’t always have to opt for solid wood cabinet faces. In addition to traditional materials, there are also wood board laminates, plastic composites, plastic and wood veneers, and even rigid Thermo foil (RTF). RTF’s are limited in color selection but they provide superior wear and can be formed to emulate wood grain patterns. Plastic laminates come in an almost endless variety of colors, so if you’re thinking of something special for your kitchen design, especially an ultra-modern design, then plastic laminates are a perfect choice.

Choosing a Contractor for Your Cabinet Refacing

• Now that you know why kitchen cabinet refacing is such a great idea, it’s time to decide who you’ll get to do the work, or even determine if you’re able to reface your own cabinets.

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing DIY

• Deciding whether you’re going to be able to perform your own kitchen cabinet refacing depends on three questions.
• Are the materials readily available to consumers in your area?
• Do you have experience with basic carpentry?
• Do you have the time, and the tools to complete the job?
• If you’ve ever carried out home DIY projects before then refacing shouldn’t be too difficult for you. There are plenty of resources on the internet to get installation tips, and providing there are materials readily available in your area then you won’t need to worry about finding the items that you need.
• What you will need are some carpentry skills, time to complete the work, and all of the tools to complete the job. There will be minimal cutting involved since you can order direct replacement parts, but you will need power tools like drills, screwdrivers, driver heads, a spirit level, etc. to get the job done.
• If none of this sounds like you, then it’s time to call a professional in.

How to Choose a Contractor for Your Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

• Choose a contractor that you can trust, who also has the right credentials.
• Look for a local contractor. Going local is always better because you have a point of contact who can take accountability if anything goes wrong on the job. Traveling tradesmen or firms from nearby towns or cities may offer competitive rates, but you have to ask yourself, will I get the same level of service from someone whose interests lie 100 miles in the opposite direction?
• Ask for an estimate on how long the work will take. Small and medium kitchens will take between one and two days to resurface cabinets and drawers. Larger kitchens may take three days, and anything over four or five days to complete would be considered excessive.
• If the contractor is also supplying the materials, make sure you’re getting quality brands. Don’t be afraid to ask what kind of cabinet faces they will use, and if possible do some research online to see how other customers rate the products.

Always choose a contractor who is fully licensed and insured, this will protect you from any liabilities if something goes wrong.

Get some information about the contractor you will choose. Ask for testimonials or check out their firm on consumer report websites.

When it comes time for your cabinet refacing, remember to choose the right contractors for the job. Alternatively, if you’re going the DIY route, make sure it’s within your capabilities, and that you have the time, tools, and materials to see the work through.

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is by far the most economical way to update, upgrade, or create a whole new look in your kitchen. It’s also a good investment for those who plan to sell in the near future, and at a fraction of the cost of full cabinet replacement, it’s an investment that will bring the biggest returns.

With looks that can’t be distinguished from full custom cabinetry, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t choose refacing for your kitchen cabinets today.