Professional Phoenix, AZ on Mar 17, 2012

Does it work to reface cabinets, or should you start over with a complete kitchen remodel?

Our homeowners had just bought this home in a beautiful central Phoenix neighborhood. They were very happy to find a home that would work for their growing family. They could see that the home was in move-in condition except for one thing. They hated the out dated laminated kitchen cabinets, butcher block, and Corian counter tops. What they wanted was the warmth of wood cabinets complemented by solid surface granite counter tops.

After buying the home, all new kitchen and dining area cabinets were not going to fit into their budget. Our solution was to reuse the majority of the existing cabinets by refacing the cabinets with new doors and drawer fronts. We renewed the mechanics of the cabinets and drawers with new drawer glides and hinges. We also added a built in trash cabinet to hide the trash can and sliding shelves in the pantry for accessibility.

What do you think about our budget kitchen remodel?

19 Comments

SheilaG, Plum Doodles Acworth, GA

Beautiful job. Nice to know a kitchen remodel can be done well on a budget. Though if I lived in Phoenix, I would've had to beg you for the old butcher block countertops to use for projects. :)

on Mar 17, 2012 · Like 2
Homework Remodels ~ Tri-L... Phoenix, AZ

Thanks Sheila, I think one of my guys ended up with the butcher block counters. We hate to throw anything out that still has useful life left in it.

on Mar 17, 2012 · Like 0
SawHorse.net Atlanta, GA

Refacing is green as well if there is nothing wrong with the boxes. We will share a refacing/ re-glazing next week once we have a chance to take some pictures.
Sheila- I understand where you are coming from. I took one from a project years ago, cut it into smaller pieces and gave them away as gifts with a cook book.

on Mar 17, 2012 · Like 3
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

This is always a great option if the layout of the kitchen works. HUGE improvement.

on Mar 17, 2012 · Like 1
Teresa D Snellville, GA

Very nice change! What kind of sink was that? It looked darker than a stainless steel.

on Mar 17, 2012 · Like 0
Homework Remodels ~ Tri-L... Phoenix, AZ

Thanks for everyone's input! Your input keeps me coming back to HomeTalk.
Sawhorse, I appreciate your input. I have major respect for your perspective and approach to the remodeling business.
The sink was a granite composite sink. Thanks for your question Teresa.

on Mar 17, 2012 · Like 0
Donna McCrummen Bernardsville, NJ

Great Job! Curious though. What did the final tab end up at? @Sheila - That was my first thought too!!! Even some of the cabinet doors would have come in handy! Oh, well. It's hard to be long distance dumpster divers.

on Mar 18, 2012 · Like 2
Homework Remodels ~ Tri-L... Phoenix, AZ

I appreciate everyone's desire to recycle materials from remodeling projects. We always promote donating useable items we remove to local donation centers such as Stardust Building Materials, or Habitat for Humanity's Restore. Both of these centers offer our clients tax deductible receipts and resell the used items in order to raise money to help others.
I have shopped in these stores for things like historic style doors and windows for some of ...»
my clients with historic homes.
@ShabbyDaze, this kitchen refacing project came in at around $15.000.00.

on Mar 18, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

End result is a calmer, grounded, much more pleasant environment to work in. Great job!

on Mar 18, 2012 · Like 0
BeckySue, Certified Maste... Lawrenceville, GA

beautiful transformation! $15k for the resurfacing alone?

on Mar 18, 2012 · Like 0
Homework Remodels ~ Tri-L... Phoenix, AZ

I couldn't locate the specifications on this kitchen to check the details. I recall that we were able to replace several cabinets, add new doors and drawer fronts, plus install the counter tops for the $15,000 budget.
It took a lot of negotiating with our subcontractors, and an overstock purchase of the granite to complete the package. We did this kitchen in 2010, many of our subcontractors were happy to find ...»
the work.
I'm not sure my cabinet maker would have done the work again for the same money.

on Mar 18, 2012 · Like 0
Renee P Rock Valley, IA

Wow, that is beautiful! Love the cabinets. I appreciate it when people repurpose cabinets rather than destroying them.

on Mar 22, 2012 · Like 0
Homes 4 U LLC Evergreen, CO

Beautiful update and a great price. When replacing doors on cabinets and drawer fronts, how do you deal with the inside of the cabinet? Usually there is wear and sometimes a little damage. Must be some other approach than covering them up and forget about it.

on Mar 22, 2012 · Like 0
Homework Remodels ~ Tri-L... Phoenix, AZ

Each cabinet needs to be assessed for it's viability prior to refacing. We replaced at least two of the cabinets in this kitchen. Luckily the rest were in good condition.

on Mar 22, 2012 · Like 0
Maureen H

Beautiful remodel! Would love to know what the final bill was but I am from Canada so it wouldn't matter anyway. lol

on Mar 22, 2012 · Like 0
Elisa Duluth, GA

Great job! I plan to do the same for my co-worker who's closing on her home next week.

on Mar 23, 2012 · Like 0
Connie Sue K Brooksville, FL

Could you come to Florida and do the same thing to my kitchen?? Great looking job!

on Mar 23, 2012 · Like 0
Melanie L Manchester, NH

very nice... how come no one hires some one else to do it hope theres no mistakes..

on Mar 25, 2012 · Like 0
Susan B Stapleton, GA

I like the the new look.Never did like that white and wood look on cabinets.I change the looks of my cabinets with a paint stain.they turn out great.Cheaper and looks great.

on Apr 10, 2012 · Like 0