How cost effective is it reface cabinets as opposed to replace?

Question

I am re-doing a kitchen on my first flip house and want to go about this in the most cost effective manner.

Answer 1

If they are wood you can most certainly paint them. I recommend using an oil base paint with a small sponge roller for the best application. Clean up wont be fun but the end results are better then latex. Also replacing the hardware to something more modern like brushed nickle makes a huge difference. I flip homes also, if the cabinets are shot I go to home depot or Lowe's and purchase there in stock oak cabinets. They are much cheaper then custom but sometimes difficult to install because they only carry standard sizes. Happy flipping and good luck!

Answer 2

To fix and flip, always go economy. If the cabinet structure is sound, then do the reface.

I've owned and sold quite a few properties in the past, and no offense to potential buyers or answerers, but a reface can be just as decent as all new.

Rev. Steven

Answer 3

If your choice is between replacing and refacing, there are a lot of factors to consider.
If you are doing lower-end doors - then reface if the cabinet boxes are in good shape.
If doing actual wood doors - you might as well replace the cabinets because in most cases, the doors are at least half to three-quarters the price of the cabinet itself as a whole.

Consider your market too. Higher end market - you should consider solid wood doors. Mid-range market - try nicely detailed thermofoil doors (as opposed to laminate doors). Lower-end market - anything goes.

If you can, your most cost effective method would be to paint.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Very cost efficient, but the cabinets have to be in fairly good condition to start with...no termites, solid, and secure. I've refaced kitchen cabs in the past, I just had to make new cabinet doors, the old were were a molded poly material and looked outdated.

Answer 5

Based on the quote we have gotten so far, it is not too cost effective to reface the cabinets as oppsed to replace it if your current cabinets are pretty old. The difference was around $3-4K.

Answer 6

We refaced about 15 years ago, and it's still looking good.

Answer 7

replacing sometimes is the best than refacing not unless your talking about quality hardwood. the cost maybe about the same. plus less headache for you when you sell it.