If you’re looking into updating your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, you’ve probably come across some conflicting information. But it’s important to differentiate between fact and fiction before you pour money, time, and resources into your cabinet makeover.
To help set the record straight, we’ll go over 6 cabinet myths that you should ignore:
Contact us online or call (480) 641-9611. One of our cabinet experts will come to your home for a same-day, no-obligation quote to refinish, reface, or remodel your cabinets.
One of the most common cabinet myths is that a do-it-yourself (DIY) cabinet update is cheaper than going with a professional.
However, DIY work can cost you more time and money than hiring a professional. And unless you have experience refacing cabinets, there are several other reasons why you should never attempt DIY cabinet work.
DIY cabinet updates can:
If you’re looking at the initial upfront installation cost, cabinet remodels are usually more expensive than a cabinet refacing or refinishing by about $5,000–$15,000.
For example, you can expect to pay the following prices for each service:
Sometimes, cabinets have underlying issues that require them to be replaced. In these cases, you’ll likely pay more money in the long run if you choose to reface instead of remodeling. For example, say you spend $10,000 to reface cabinets with structural issues that need to be replaced a few years later. If you then pay roughly $20,000 to replace your cabinets a few years later, you’re looking at a total of $30,000 spent on your cabinets.
But if you remodel your cabinets from the start, you’d have paid $20,000 for entirely new cabinets that, assuming they’re quality ones, will last you decades.
You can learn more about the professional cabinet services and how they differ in our blog, “Cabinet Refinishing vs. Refacing vs. Remodeling.”
Whichever service you choose, you’ll want to make sure you go with a quality cabinet company to get the most durable cabinets.
Custom cabinets are only more durable than prefabricated ones if you go with a quality high-rated company that uses quality products.
Most prefabricated cabinets are made of one of the following types of engineered wood:
Engineered wood cabinets don’t last as long as solid hardwood cabinets—roughly 10–20 years less. So if the cabinet company you’re considering uses engineered wood, your cabinets won’t be as durable as they would be if the company uses solid hardwood (like we do at Cabinet Coatings).
If you have durable cabinets and just want to update the look and feel, you don’t need to completely replace them with custom cabinets.
Another common cabinet myth is that you have to completely replace your cabinets to get a new look and feel.
If you’re just looking to update the cabinet color or panel style on cabinets that are in good shape, you can choose a:
Whichever option you choose, you’ll likely increase your home value.
Another big cabinet myth is that refacing cabinets won’t increase your home value—only custom cabinets will.
Since cabinets are one of the first things potential homebuyers look at in a kitchen or bathroom, refacing cabinets certainly adds value to your home. Homebuyers are less likely to choose a house that they’re going to have to sink thousands of dollars into updating unsightly cabinets.
By refacing cabinets with a more modern or contemporary style, you’ll usually get a good return on investment (ROI) for the upfront cost you paid.
Upgrading the cabinet hardware will also help boost your refacing ROI.
Cabinet hardware can have a surprisingly big impact on the cabinet’s:
Schedule an appointment online or call us at (480) 641-9611. We’ll talk with you about the kind of cabinet upgrades you’re looking to make, then give you a free in-home or virtual consultation that same day. Our finishing pros will debunk any cabinet myths you’ve heard, then help you transform your kitchen or bathroom.
Cabinet Coatings
East Valley (480) 641-9611
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