Refacing or Remodeling?

How do you decide if refacing or remodeling is right for your cabinets?

The first question you have to answer is "What condition are my cabinets in?" If your current cabinets are structurally sound and you are happy with the insides then you are and excellent candidate for cabinet refacing. If you have one or a couple of damaged cabinets then it may pay to replace those cabinets and then reface. If all or most of your cabinets are damaged then you should consider a full tear out remodeling.

Another deciding factor between refacing and remodeling is the layout of your kitchen. If you are generally happy with your cabinet layout then refacing is more cost effective. Small changes can be made by adding or replacing one or more cabinets. Large layout changes will make full tear out and replacement of your cabinets a better option.

Other considerations include flooring, counter tops and time frame. Replacing cabinets will often require some amount of flooring repair or modification since new cabinets will not likely fit exactly in the foot print of the old cabinets. In most cases a full tear out will require new counter tops. If you love your existing counter top or don't want to tackle the cabinets and counter tops together then refacing is a better option than a full remodel. If completion time is important, refacing is often faster because reusing the existing layout eliminates the need for electrical and plumbing changes. In many towns there is no need for permits and inspections with refacing. Local requirements vary but as you add more components to a full remodeling, the more likely you are to need permits and inspections.

To find out if refacing or remodeling is your best options, schedule a FREE Consultation and one of our designers will help your find the right solutions.