I have some old solid wood cabinets and the finish is starting to come off. The cabinets are in good condition. I got a couple estimates and it seems as though refinishing is more expesive but the cabinets will take longer to make and i want it dine as fast as possible. I would love an extra point of view. Thank you for your time.
Replace is better
I think the answer is kind of subjective. It depends on what sort of condition the cabinets you have are in. If there’s something in particular about them that you like that you couldn’t replace. How old they are. If you’d get something with newer cabinets you don’t have now.
Refinishing cabinets is usually cheaper than new cabinets. I’d get 2 or 3 estimates for refinishing vs new just so you have some basis of comparison.
The price on new cabinets also depends if you are going to get pre-fab or custom made cabinets.
You also have the option to refinish the cabinets yourself if you want to save some money and don’t mind getting your hands dirty.
Another thing to consider is that they would probably have to dismantle your cabinets and/or remove them to refinish them so you might be without cabinets for a while. If you order new, they can probably install them in one day unless you have a really large project. Again - i’d get 2-3 estimates for both refinishing and replacing and see what your options are as far as price and time goes.
I would say it depends on whether or not the layout and size of the existing cabinets suits your needs, as well as the condition of the drawer slides & door hinges. If those are worn out or malfunctioning then time to replace.
having new one’s is always better. but its costly of course. do not only compare the price of the cabinet cost because if you change your cabinets you will highly need to change your countertop and if you need to change your countertop you will need to change your sink as well. once everything is done you will possible need painting in the kitchen.
so i you really think your cabs are in good standing you may try to refinish it.
Make sure that the quality of the hardware and wood material in the new cabinets is as good as or better than what you already have. Many new cabinets do not have top of the line hardware. I would also be wary of a new set of cabinets that costs less than refinishing the ones you already have.
In my area, people install new cabinets at the drop of a hat. It seems like a remarkably wasteful trend to me. I personally prefer the knotty pine cabinets that my parents are still using from the 50’s or 60’s. They always say, “If we keep them long enough, they’ll go back into style”. How true.
When all said and done my recommendation is to buy new cabinets . when you refinish the existing you still have the old box cabinets . If you buy new cabinets you will be better in the long run that your these will last as over time your old cabinets will fall apart
I have found that re-finishing cabinets is not that much less expensive than installing new cabinets.
The cost of refinishing cabinets can be quite high. The hardware and slides wear out over time just like everything else… I always advise customers to go with the new kitchen.