Cabinet refinishing is almost always more affordable than purchasing new ones and is a smart investment in many circumstances, including when:
- Existing Cabinets Are in Decent Condition: When your cabinets are damaged or deteriorating, it could be more cost-effective to go with a replacement.
- Living "Green" Is a Priority: If reducing your carbon footprint is one of your biggest values, you might want to think about cabinet refinishing as a better way to limit waste by refreshing your existing cabinetry.
- You Want Unique and Personalized Cabinets: Refinishing gives you choices between a large range of colors and finishes to bring to life a look that is wholly unique and suits your tastes.
- Boosting Home Resale Value Cost-Effectively: If you're preparing to sell your residence, cabinet refinishing can be a relatively inexpensive way to enhance its appeal to try and maximize ROI.
- You Are Satisfied With the Existing Layout and Operability: You're existing cabinets may already fit in perfectly with your kitchen's design and deliver ideal functionality.
- Avoiding Disruption is Necessary: Cabinet refinishing requires minimal chaos to your lifestyle compared to a full cabinet replacement.
Property owners in Garland, TX have communicated spending as much as 70% less when refinishing their cabinets compared to replacing them. Before picking cabinet refinishing, evaluate your specific needs, budget, and the current state of your cabinets to understand if this project is right for you.
While there may not be industry-mandated licenses specifically for cabinet refinishing contractors, there are certain qualifications and indicators of skill that you can refer to when hiring someone to refinish your cabinets. Most professional contractors will showcase their background in carpentry, woodworking, or a relevant field on their Thumbtack page.
You should ask the contractor you are thinking about hiring for a portfolio with pictures of cabinets they have refinished in other homes, especially featuring results that are similar to the style you're trying to achieve. Besides a portfolio, most professional contractors will demonstrate their experience and reputation through online client reviews.
A reliable expert will provide a detailed written estimate of the job before it begins, outlining the scope of work, materials, and all associated costs. Contractors should have good communication skills and a readiness to answer any questions and concerns regarding budget, schedule, and quality during the refinishing project. It would be wise to also inquire for warranties or guarantees with the service, which is another indication that can show they have faith in the quality of their craftsmanship.
A professional working on your cabinet refinishing project will adhere to an established process for speed and excellent results. There are generally numerous steps taken to transform the aesthetic of existing cabinets, including:
- Assessment and Preparation: Cabinets are first assessed to make sure they are in proper condition to be refinished. If they are, all gear will be removed, including handles, knobs, and hinges, and the surfaces need to be cleaned of dirt, grease, or other residue.
- Touch-Up and Fill: Some insignificant damage, such as cracks, dents, and similar imperfections in the wood will be repaired or filled to better blend in with staining or painting.
- Painting or Staining: Your choice of paint, stain, or finishing method will be applied in smooth, even coats to achieve the look you've envisioned. The drying and curing stage will be crucial to imparting a high-quality outcome, and may require a few hours to accomplish.
- Reassembly: Once your paint or stain completely cures, all parts will be reattached and cabinets fully reassembled for use. Performing a quality inspection will ensure the final results meets your standards, which includes a final cleanup of the complete work area.
It's useful to note that the specific refinishing project can vary based on things such as the kind of cabinets and the desired finish. Additionally, contractors may perform detailed techniques, such as distressing or glazing, to achieve specific stylistic effects, which will require a longer amount of time. Make sure to speak clearly with anyone you hire to guarantee they have the skill to bring your vision to reality.
Cabinet refinishing is a very advantageous home improvement task that many homeowners discover to be worth the effort. Refinishing cabinets instead of completely replacing them is a great way to limit your impact on the environment by giving used furniture a longer lifespan rather than tossing them into landfills. The method of producing new cabinets also requires more wood and expels pollution into the atmosphere, both of which can be significantly lessened when people choose to upcycle existing furniture rather than throw it out. Some other excellent perks of picking cabinet refinishing are:
- Cost-Efficient: Buying and putting in new kitchen cabinets will be very costly, but refinishing existing ones will allow you to refresh their look relatively affordably.
- Breathe New Life Into Your Kitchen: Cabinet refinishing has the power to dramatically switch up the style of your kitchen through relatively little work or resources.
- Minimal Disruption To Your Life: Cabinet refinishing is seen as a relatively quick and stress-free way to change their style compared to installing new ones. Since you're utilizing existing cabinets that have already been installed, you'll avoid the trouble of having custom-made cabinets manufactured and the demolition and reconstruction of your kitchen walls and layout to make them fit.
- High-Quality Results: You'll receive professional outcomes when you allow a vetted contractor to carry out your cabinet refinishing project. The right technique and skill is crucial to ensure your cabinets appear as you planned, including close attention to necessary steps of preparing the surfaces and allowing the paint or stain to dry before reassembly.