Replacing Versus Re-Facing (kitchen cabinets)

Contemplating refacing your kitchen cabinets? Think you might save a bundle by doing so? Here’s my piece on how we see it, but you can always get a quote on refacing anyway, as long as it’s a free, no-obligation and no-pressure, quote, and as long as you get a quote on entirely new cabinets (especially IKEA cabinets) also.
Here are the logical rules:
Done right, it costs less to REPLACE than to REFACE. Often many thousands less.
The results are almost always FAR better if you REPLACE than if you REFACE.
You’ll have NEW cabinets if you replace. You’ll have OLD cabinets if you reface.
A modern, European style kitchen is almost impossible to achieve with refacing, unless you are prepared to spend A LOT of money.
Exceptions: (Just two).
If you have fabulous countertops that cost a lot and that you want to keep, refacing may be your best, or only, option. Although it is possible to install new cabinets under fixed countertop, it is risky and not necessarily the best overall solution for a kitchen upgrade. However, if this is your only option, find a licensed contractor who specializes in exactly this type of project, get references for exactly this type of project and call the references (you should always ask for and call references for any contractor you consider hiring).
If there is some other unique issue or situation that makes refacing a better choice. In our experience, this is pretty rare. It is almost never the case when the homeowner wants a modern, European look.
How we came up with these rules:
We designed and installed hundreds of IKEA kitchens, including small ones and big ones, budget kitchens for small condos, and full remodels of big kitchens (in La Canada and Brentwood and Malibu)
We found out the average price for refacing a typical kitchen.
Hands down, replacing old cabinets with even the most expensive IKEA styles, is the less costly, and far better choice.
As a final note, as I’ve written earlier, most homeowners assume that it is least expensive to keep the existing kitchen footprint. In other words, it is common to assume that moving a sink to a different wall, or putting a cooktop on an island, would be very expensive and/or make their project much more complicated. This is not necessarily true since moving utility lines can be quite simple in many cases. And sometimes, you can have a much, much better kitchen by doing so.

How Much Should a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

According to my sources, the American Kitchen and Bath Association says that the average kitchen remodel in the U.S. costs $47,000.

ARE THEY USING CABINETS MADE OF SOLID GOLD?

Our company regularly completes truly beautiful kitchen remodels that cost the homeowner UNDER $10,000. When a customer chooses a countertop material such as Corian or Caesarstone, their costs can go up to $20,000, including some extras such as cabinet lighting, tilework, flooring.

I really don't know where this $47,000 figure comes from. I cannot figure out how, using IKEA cabinets you could, if you wanted to, spend $47,000. Gold faucets? Marble counters, shipped from Italy? A 5000 square foot kitchen?

Sad to say, we know that homeowners are spending MORE than $47,000 on kitchen remodels and never realizing that there are other ways, other materials, without compromising quality, durability, or beauty, that are available to them. Maybe it's a status thing?

We always hope to have a chance to point out the type of amazing results that can be attained for a much lower cost. Many customers have already decided on IKEA cabinets when they contact us. We provide professional design so that the kitchen, once installed, serves their needs and pleases them aesthetically, and is optimally laid out for function and enjoyment. This is truly a vital part of the process.

It may be that people assume IKEA cabinets will be comparable in quality to some of their other furnishings. This is understandable. It is not factual though. IKEA cabinets are, in fact, higher quality, and carry better warranties, than some brands that cost three times as much.

It is true that if you go to a "big box" store, you'll get design help on the spot. This can be comforting but it comes at a very big price. You will almost never have the option of European styling, and, more to the point, your final price is almost inevitably going to be at least twice what you would pay for IKEA cabinets plus installation. Those big box stores, once they've sold you on their cabinets, assume you will want their installers and you will probably feel they are most qualified. If you go this route, make sure you meet your installer before signing up for his service. Don't assume the big box store is guaranteeing his accountability.

Going the IKEA route, it initially seems that you have to do the design yourself, which makes most people nervous right from the start. Or you have to locate a designer. There are only a few people in the LA area, and likely in any area, truly qualified to design IKEA kitchens. It is a unique system, not like any other, and knowing the products is vital. A kitchen designer who has limited IKEA experience is not the best choice. If you are in LA, give me a call, 626-203-1480, and I can provide more on this point or schedule our $275 planning service for you. It's the best planning service I know of. We ensure you have a great layout, an expert contractor to consult with, and that you have labor and materials costs known before you get started. We've developed this service over years of experience and discovery of what homeowners really need help with in order to confidently move forward. We really want people to be thrilled with their new kitchens. If you have $3000 or $30,000 to spend, treat yourself to professional design. As they say, you'll be glad you did. It is certainly worth $275, no matter your budget. In fact, doing it right the first time is one of the best ways to save money.

This post is meant to simply confirm what most readers already know. IKEA cabinets are very high quality and cost much less than big box and name brands of other types. In any economy and no matter the reason, "Kabinet King"-type companies are NOT recommended. Call to discuss my view on these.

Installation, if the planning is done well, can be very affordable also. Your choices determine your costs to a very great extent.

The bottom line here is that you can spend under $5000 and have a brand new small or condo kitchen. You can have a fabulous big kitchen completed for well under $20,000. We do this all the time.

Susan