Replace the counter top or refinish the cabinets first?

Question

I am slowly working on redoing my kitchen. I have had mixed answers when I ask people. Should I replace the counter top before I refinish the cabinets or visa versa, or does it even matter? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Refinish your cabinets first, then add new counter top. You dont want to damage your new counter tops! Besides, sometimes it is easier to remove the cabinet to refinish it, and if you decide to redo floors, that would be the time to do it!

Answer 2

Refinished Cabinets Before And After

Answer 3

I would say, as a former home improvements specialist, that you would be well advised to refinish the cabinets first. Later on, while the cabinets are being refinished or even after they have been refinished, it's possible that you could change your mind about what color and material (formica, granite, polished concrete, etc.) you want to use for your counter top. The other thing is, there is far less of a chance of scratches and chips to the counter from workers tools, if the cabinets are done first.

Answer 4

I would recommend you refinish the cabinets first. That way, if some of the stain or paint drip onto the counter tops while you are working, you won't ruin the new ones. Then put in the new counter tops.

Answer 5

I would refinish the cabinets first. By doing the cabinets first it would be less mess. The counter top should be put on with the less amount of dust

Answer 6

refinish the cabinets first then replace the counter top.
If you replace the counter top first then you will mess it up while refinishing the cabinets and have to buy another counter top

Answer 7

You will definately want to refinish the cabinets first. The reason that I say this is because there is no way that you will know EXACTLY what the cabinets will look like when they are redone, so there is no real way to match a countertop to them. Also, the mess involved in refinishing could cause damage to your new countertop.

My father is a general contractor, and I am his project manager, so we do ALOT of remodels, and we would never put in a new countertop before redoing cabinets.

Answer 8

Since you are going to replace the counter top anyway, its wise to remove it while you refinish the cabinets. They are first, as the top is the final step. The counter you do not want to dirty with sanding dust or scratch it accidentally with a tool or have some freak thing happen. Its best to get the bases and tops done, then add the counter top.

Go here www.DIY.com or here www.HGTV.com and see more tips for the area you are working in.

Good luck!

Answer 9

You need to refinish the cabinets first, that way nothing can go wrong when you re-do your counter top. With your cabinets you might decide to change them which means they might be bigger, smaller, wider etc all that affects the counter. Another thing is if you are replacing cabinets underneither the counter and did the counter first, you would have to take it off to put in the new cabinets.

even if you are just going to stain your old cabinets or paint them, you don't want to take the risk of messing up a new counter.

So definetely re-do your cabinets first.

Answer 10

You should refinish the cabinets first. This always gives you the opportunity to change your mind on the countertops just in case you don't get the exact look you expect on the cabinets.