Kitchen remodeling is one of the most undertaken home renovation projects by homeowners. It is
From increasing kitchen space to reconfiguring the cabinets, adding pendant lighting and replacing the sink can give your kitchen a completely new look.
However, all of these can be expensive, especially kitchen cabinets. Aside from the cost of appliances, kitchen cabinets cost a significant percentage of the overall budget for the project.
The average cost to remodel a kitchen is between $12,000 and $60,500; meanwhile, the National Kitchen and Bath Association estimates that cabinets represent nearly 30% of the total cost of a kitchen remodel.
On average, homeowners spend $8,200 to replace their cabinets. While skilled DIYers may be tempted to build their own cabinets, probably to cut costs, it’s crucial to weigh the time and resource investment against the convenience of purchasing them ready-made or hiring a reputable company specializing in Custom Kitchen Cabinets.
Types of kitchen cabinets
Cabinets play a major role in the overall outlook of your kitchen. This is why your choice of cabinets is essential when planning a kitchen remodeling project.
Generally, there are three types of kitchen cabinets: Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom.
Stock
Stock cabinets are ready-made kitchen cabinets that can help hasten the completion of your remodeling project. They come in standard shapes, sizes, and designs.
There are two types of these cabinets: ready-to-assemble (RTA) and assembled. Since they are already in stock, these cabinets offer little to no customization for your kitchen.
However, it is the most affordable cabinet to improve your kitchen aesthetics. You should spend about $80 per linear foot, and factoring in labor, it will cost between $100 to $300 per linear foot.
Semi-custom
Semi-custom or semi-stock kitchen cabinets, as the name implies, offer a mixture of the benefits of stock and custom cabinets.
It comes in a range of predetermined sizes, shapes, and designs, as in the stock cabinet types. While it may not be as tailored to your space as custom cabinetry, it offers you a large variety of custom features, such as decorative additions and finishes.
Semi-custom cabinets can cost between $75 and $400 per linear foot; factoring in labor, it will cost between $150 and $670 per linear foot.
Custom
Custom kitchen cabinets are unique and tailored to your space. They are luxurious and expensive when compared to other types of cabinets.
Custom cabinets are not only perfect for luxury kitchens but also for unique shapes. They are also the ideal choice for homeowners interested in specific aesthetics.
This type of cabinet can cost between $470 and $1,230 per linear foot to be fully installed; considering labor, a single cabinet will cost as low as $500. It is, however, likely to cost more depending on style, material, and your choice of finish.
Popular styles of kitchen cabinets
Regardless of the type of kitchen cabinet you choose, you need to love the style.
You might never need to change the cabinets again, especially if you plan to sell the house later.
Kitchen cabinets, when properly chosen, are built to last. Experts estimate the average lifespan of a kitchen cabinet to be between 15 and 25 years. Depending on material type and usage, a cabinet can last up to 50 years.
Here are some trendy kitchen cabinet styles to consider for your kitchen remodel:
- Beadboard
- Shaker-style
- Inset
- Raised panel
- Slab
- Full overlay
- Partial overlay
- Open upper cabinets
- Louvered
- Flat panel
- Glass front
- Based cabinets
- Wall kitchen cabinets
- Tall-standing
- Corner cabinets
- Pantry
- Distressed
- Arched
- Textured
- Glossy
Cabinet refacing vs. replacement
Simple fixes like a fresh coat of paint, touch-up repair, or updated hardware can breathe life into your kitchen cabinets without breaking the bank.
However, if any of these cannot restore the cabinet to any good state, refacing or replacement are the options to consider?
Cabinet refacing involves changing most exterior parts and features of the cabinet while the interior remains intact. It usually consists of installing new drawer front cabinet doors and applying veneer to the outsides of the cabinet boxes. New hardware may also be installed.
Cabinet replacement, on the other hand, involves the overhaul of both the interior and outside structure of the cabinets. It includes replacing the whole box and cabinet system and installing the hardware.
Which is better: Cabinet refacing or replacement?
Generally, cabinet replacement is more expensive than refacing; however, it allows homeowners to upgrade their cabinetry to trendy styles and tastes.
Cabinet refacing is cheaper, takes less time to complete, and could help retain the original look of the kitchen, which the family is used to, while ensuring it is aesthetically pleasing.
The better choice between the two boils down to your personal preference and objectives.
Is it cheaper to buy or build kitchen cabinets?
It is expected to see many DIYers with the intention of building their own kitchen cabinets. Making your own kitchen cabinet can be a fun and memorable experience, but buying can save you lots of money and time.
The makers of ready-made kitchen cabinets produce in bulk, allowing them to drive down their production costs and invariably sell at a lower price than if you had built them yourself.
It is different for custom cabinets as they are specially made to fit your kitchen; hence, it is not ideal to produce them in bulk.
For DIY lovers, custom cabinets allow you to choose any style and color you want. You also decide to the last detail, the quality of your cabinet features. While building your custom cabinets yourself can reduce cost, on closer look, you will be spending more.
First, you will have to sacrifice your time to make the cabinet, and if you are to charge for labor costs and tools used, it will cost you more; likewise, the completion time will be longer than usual.
A better alternative to DIY custom cabinets is hiring the service of professionals. You will still get your cabinet built to your taste and quality standard but will not have to spend time on the project yourself.
It is a no-brainer that a professional will deliver a neater finish than a non-experienced woodworker.
How to save money on kitchen cabinet
It is very easy to spend beyond your budget for your kitchen cabinets, considering there are lots of enticing materials, finishes, hardware, and styles to choose from.
Below are some tips to reduce costs and stay within budget:
- Use ready-made cabinets for typically shaped kitchen
- Choose affordable material like MDF for your custom kitchen cabinets
- Reduce the number of drawers
- Install fewer customizations
- Pick simple door styles
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