It’s the age old question: How cheap can I make it? This inquiry is raised for everything from a major auto repair to resurfacing a driveway, and it has become even more pressing in today’s volatile economy.
It’s no surprise then that some readers of the “San Francisco Chronicle” wanted advice on how to update 1980s oak kitchen cabinets on the cheap. In a question-and-answer session titled “Cheapest Kitchen Cabinet Upgrade Needs DIY Grease,” the newspaper’s home expert offered several money-saving tips to these questioning homeowners.
First, let’s set the scene. Existing kitchen cabinets have been stained dark walnut. Although they look dated, they are in good shape. The owners don’t want to paint them because “they like a woodgrain look.” The owners have come up with three ideas of their own:
1. Replace existing cabinets
2. Update kitchen cabinets
3. “Refinish the cabinets, replace the doors and drawers with updated raw wood, sand the existing cabinets, and then stain the cabinets and new doors/drawers a new color.”
The expert advisor acknowledges that the owners have “identified all viable options.” Taking each one in turn, the author breaks down each approach into its total cost to achieve the desired effect.
1. When it comes to replacing existing kitchen cabinets, respondent notes, “You’ll get exactly what you want. But if cost is an objective, this is the most expensive.” By doing it themselves, homeowners also run the risk of it breaking down during that process, which could add to the cost.” A leading provider of services that includes building product installation can help you get the job done right without incurring additional costs.
2. In the medium term, owners have been quoted a price between $26,000 and $30,000. Assuming that the price tag includes new doors and drawer fronts, the respondent agrees that “the price seems expensive.”
3. When it comes to the final option, “Repainting is not only realistic but downright cheap compared to the first two options, especially if you do the heavy lifting yourself, at least stripping away the carcasses.” If you decide to go this route, check with a reputable kitchen cabinet manufacturer whose inventory includes a selection of wood door styles, finishes, and decorative cabinet hardware. That way, you can achieve the look of new kitchen cabinets without having to start completely from scratch.
Don’t overlook the final details. “With all the time and care he has invested in his cabinetry, it would be a shame to re-install your old, worn-out knobs, handles, and hinges,” the expert emphasizes. “You can easily replace the old cabinet hardware with new items, giving the kitchen a new look.”
If low cost is the primary motivating factor behind a kitchen cabinet upgrade, then refinishing is clearly the way to go. “It will cost you a lot of time, but it will save you a lot of money, and you will be paid many times the cost when you see your work and think of a job well done,” the article concludes.