Cabinet Refinishing

A Homeowner’s Guide to Cabinet Refinishing

Many homeowners are lucky enough to be a part of their home’s design right from the start. They can pick and choose exactly what they want and how they want it to look. Others purchase a home designed by someone else, and then find there are things they’d like to change to really make it feel like home.

Take cabinets, for example. What one person really loves might not fit the look that someone else wants. You could tear the cabinets out and start from scratch, but that gets expensive and time consuming. Fortunately, there’s an easier way to get what you’re looking for.

What is cabinet refinishing?

Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, cabinet refinishing is a simple way to change the appearance … without affecting the cabinet’s functioning or destroying the budget. This cost effective technique involves removing the existing paint or stain, sanding and/or repairing the surface, and then adding a new finish.

Should I refinish or replace my cabinets?

The answer to this question ultimately comes from the goal you’re trying to achieve. If you love the style and function of your cabinets, and only want to change their appearance, refinishing is by far the most cost effective option. In contrast, if you need to make layout or style changes, replacing your cabinets with ones that better meet your wants and needs would be more beneficial.

Factors affecting the cost of cabinet refinishing

While refinishing can cost significantly less than cabinet refacing or replacement, the final cost depends on several factors. These include:

• Cabinet size, style, and quantity
• Type of finish
• Amount of sanding or repairs needed before cabinets can be refinished
• Whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional

Pros and cons of cabinet refinishing

Just like most things in life, there are both positives and negatives to cabinet refinishing. Here are a few factors to consider:

Pros:

• Refinishing is cheaper than cabinet refacing or replacement.
• You can keep the style and function you love and just change the look.
• There is less mess and faster completion than full cabinet replacement.

Cons:

• Refinishing won’t disguise old or worn out cabinets.
• If you need or want to change your cabinets’ style or function, refinishing them won’t help.

Professional vs. DIY cabinet refinishing

While cabinet refinishing certainly can be completed by a handy, do-it-yourself type of homeowner, there are definite advantages to hiring a professional to do the job. Of course, it does cost more money to hire someone else to do anything, but the time savings might be worth it. A professional has the tools, time, and expertise to get the job done right the first time. At Bravo, we also offer a 5 year transferrable warranty on our work. If any issues arise after the job is completed, simply let us know and we’ll do what we can to make it right.

So there you have it … the basics of cabinet refinishing in a nutshell. Contact us today to find out how WE can help YOU get the cabinets you’re looking for!