Is It Worth It to Refinish My Cabinets

I hear it all the time; “I just need a new countertop and floor because I’m refinishing my cabinets; there’s nothing wrong with them, and I don’t want to spend a lot of money.” It’s an intriguing idea, and one would think that re-using the cabinets would be a great way to go, but it’s not for everyone. Here’s how you can tell if you are better off keeping what you have.
Do you like to existing layout of your kitchen? If not, you should look into having a new design done just to see if you can get a better (meaning more functional) layout for your existing space.
What aspects of your existing cabinets would need to be changed? Is it just the style of the doors, or it is also color? What about the wood specie? In this case, it’s good to get a quote for new cabinets with installation and a refinishing quote. If you currently have honey oak cabinets and you want them to look like cherry, you’ll likely be happier with new cabinets. For a change this drastic, refinishing is not likely the most cost effective option.
Are you worried about the mess and inconvenience of a new kitchen installation? Most reputable refinishing methods are messier and just as time consuming as a new cabinet installation, depending on the extent of the refinishing process. Also, if new countertops are being installed in both scenarios (which we are assuming that they are), the time without a functional sink or cooktop is going to depend more on the countertop type and installation than anything that may be going on with the cabinetry.
Are all your cabinets in perfect working order? Of course, in the process of refinishing, many internal cabinet parts could be repaired or replaced, but repairs may not last. Also, new cabinets are available with all sorts of storage conveniences that can make your kitchen so much more functional. Yes, these features are more in the “want” category than in the “need”, but let’s face it, so are granite countertops and pretty cabinets. It just depends on how much you value these storage features.
Do you have a reputable refinisher in your area? a. Unfortunately, professionals who specialize in this trade are becoming rare. With the price of new cabinets being so competitive with the price of reputable refinishing, the demand for the service has dwindled. With that, the probability of finding a reputable refinisher can be quite low. If you are lucky enough to have one or more refinishers in your area make sure you view their work prior to signing a contract. It is a job that requires skill, experience, patience and, most of all, attention to detail. While references are all well and good, there is nothing that compares to seeing the quality of work with your own eyes. Remember, not everyone’s idea of quality is the same. The person given as reference was obviously happy with the work done in their home, but their standards may differ from yours.
In all cases where refinishing is being considered, I strongly recommend getting a quote from both a refinishing company and a remodeling company for new cabinets. Local businesses are best, usually both in reputation, quality and overall cost of the job. Remember to ask for references, and actually research them. Ask if there is anyway to see the work that was done. Everyone has a different idea of what “quality” is, so always make sure that you can judge for yourself. If the company has more than one refinishing/installation crew, try to view work that was done by the crew that would be assigned to your job. This research will go a long way toward your satisfaction at the end of the job.