5 Factors that Affect Your Cabinet Refacing Cost

December 13, 2009

Whether you've decided to reface cabinets yourself or you plan on hiring professional help, there are several factors that can affect your total cabinet refacing cost. Let's take a look.

1. Labor. The eternal question--hire a contractor to replace cabinets or simply do them yourself? It depends on how comfortable you are with the project. The DIY Network rates the project difficulty at medium. However, that benchmark depends on how much experience you have with home improvement. No matter which way you go, you're saving in the long run. Househunting.ca contends that refacing cabinets is a much more cost-effective alternative to total replacement.
2. Material Type. Should you repaint or stain? How about getting wood veneer? Or are new natural wood cabinet doors in order? The type of material you choose will arguably have the biggest influence on price. Wood veneer typically costs about $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot. In contrast, the average cost for repainting cabinets is around $200. Be sure to weigh the costs for the amount of material you'll need before choosing.
3. Square Footage. Many companies simply count the number of cabinets to be refaced as opposed to measuring surface area. But some companies still measure. Getting a couple of different estimates for both methods should help you compare apples to apples. If you or your contractor are counting by the cabinet, define the dimensions ahead of time for what constitutes a full or half cabinet.
4. Hardware Upgrades. Here we're talking knobs, pulls, hinges and slides. Basic metals and alloys work well for the budget conscious. Cabinet handles typically cost between $6 and $9, while the price of knobs ranges between $2 and $4. Choosing brass or copper can get expensive very quickly, as can choosing ornate designs or custom carvings.
5. Repairs. Sometimes you'll find that one or more of your cabinets is damaged due to wear and tear. If it has to be rebuilt or replaced, expect to shell out more money. Knobs and pulls are fairly simple to replace, but hanging doors and sagging shelves are a different story altogether.

If you want to get close to a working estimate for the cost to replace cabinets, consider these five factors. Examine your cabinets--know your options. Then set a budget and stick to it. Do that, and you'll be as prepared as possible to execute this project.

Related Searches cabinet refacing tips cabinet refacing offers cabinet refacing money kitchen cabinet refacing

Related Videos & Photos
	Get Clean from Head to Toe with this Dream Shower