So you can't take your older kitchen anymore and have saved up enough money to do something about it. If you're like most homeowners in America a lot of your home renovation decisions ultimately come down to the question "What can I afford that is going to make me the happiest with my kitchen"....(read more)
First of all, it is good to know that most research indicates that the kitchen remodel is still the best interior investment you can make in your house. This means that potential buyers down the road will value the changes you have made in the kitchen and this will reflect in their offer to buy your house. However, kitchen renovations can be a broad number of things...anything from total gutting of a kitchen to simply painting the walls and changing some fixtures. So here are some things to consider when getting ready to change your kitchen:
Cabinets can be considered the heart of your kitchen appeal. They are the most prevalent item in the room. There are a lot of different options when considering changing your cabinets.
On the low end is a simple new coat of paint or finish. This is something you can even try to do yourself in a pinch. The type of paint you use as well as the skill level of the person applying it can dictate the outcome of this cabinet option. If the proper paint is not used or the painters are not experienced in painting cabinets often times the outcome is not as desirable or as room changing as one would hope. However, the benefits of this project are that it is affordable and allows you to keep your countertops, sink, and fixtures.
The midrange option would be to have the cabinets resurfaced and perhaps the doors replaced (keeping your current cabinet boxes). This option also allows for you to keep your countertop and fixtures. Caution should be used with cabinet refinishing to make sure the end result is a professional and new looking cabinet. Skill level based on who you hire can vary. Also, a good option in this price range is to hire a professional cabinet painting company (this is different from just a traditional paint contractor) to professionally prep and paint your existing cabinets. Professional cabinet paint companies may have the specialized products and equipment to make your cabinets look brand new with a factory-like finish. This is also a great option due to the fact that it offers limitless color options. Additionally, some companies may offer glazing or distressing options that give your cabinets a high end gourmet look. These options may be good for a homeowner that may also want to upgrade their countertops with the money they save from not doing a full cabinet replacement.
On the higher end is the replacement of your cabinets. This obviously includes replacing countertops, sinks, and fixtures along with the cabinets. This will give you the full renovation options and the ability to rearrange cabinets differently. One word of caution with the replacement rout. Pricing on this option can be hard to budget for. Make sure you review fully what is involved with a quoted price (hardware, toe kicks, hinges, install, taxes, delivery, etc.) Also, budget for wall repair and possible floor repair where the new cabinets and countertops may not match up with what you had. Likewise budget for possible plumbing and electrical work that may be required in a full cabinet replacement job.
As you can see, there are many different things to consider with you cabinet replacement. Take the time to review and price them out so you can get the most bang for your buck!