Cost to Repair Kitchen Cabinets: A Budget-Friendly Guide

There is usually a hefty cost involved in designing and installing a new kitchen that many homeowners are not always excited about paying when they are renovating their homes. Fortunately, there are multiple cost-friendly ways around a big price tag, such as repairing existing kitchen cabinets. 

If you are interested in renovating your kitchen (such as with tall kitchen cabinets), we’ll share some tips and information that will make the process a little easier on your wallet.

What Goes Into the Cost of Repairing Kitchen Cabinets?

If you are looking to repair individual parts of your kitchen cabinets, the cost is going to vary according to the type of work that needs to be done. However, the average cost of having kitchen cabinets repaired is between $120 and $600. 

Replacing the Bottom Section 

Replacing a particular slab or board on the base of the cabinet is an inexpensive, easy repair. Replacing a sink base cabinet floor costs $150 to $200 on average, inclusive of labor and materials. 

However, in cases where the vertical pieces of the cabinet are damaged due to mold or water, the whole cabinet must be repaired. This can be more time and labor-intensive. 

Repainting Costs

Instead of replacing cabinets altogether, many people prefer to save some money by painting them instead. Repainting kitchen cabinets costs between $2,000 and $6,500 on average, depending on the number of cabinets, material, painting method, and local labor rates. 

An important detail to remember is that painters charge up to 10% more to paint cabinets that are taller than eight feet. If you don’t want to pay the extra amount, you might consider getting a ladder and going the do-it-yourself route, instead. 

Refinishing Cabinets

Refinishing cabinets generally costs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500. Specific costs vary considerably, depending on the material being used. Staining, glazing, and varnishing wood also add to the price tag, although stain is often cheaper than paint because it is easier and quicker to apply and recoat stain. 

Cost Saving Tips

If you are redoing your cabinets, here are some ways you can minimize your costs:

Customize Less

Settling for a standard cabinet design can help you save more than you think. Instead of incorporating unnecessary details such as overhead lights or glass panels, stick to the basic structure of kitchen cabinets. 

This does not mean that you need to skip all customizations. The key here is to splurge on one or two features you really want in your newly repaired cabinets while saving money elsewhere. 

Do Not Add Glaze

Glaze definitely looks great, but kitchen cabinets cost significantly more with a finish. 

The cost to glaze wood cabinets starts at $8.39 to $19.48 per square foot. Therefore, don't hesitate to take it off the table and allocate the savings to another part of your kitchen remodeling budget. If you think about it, having a glaze is more of a want than a need.

Save Money on Paint

Repainting your cabinets is generally considered to be an inexpensive way to refinish kitchen cabinets. If you do this smartly, you can make an already less expensive option even more cost-friendly. Here’s how:

• Buy in bulk: If you are purchasing paint, consider buying paint for other rooms or walls that might need repainting soon at the same time. Buying in bulk is a common way to cut down costs and may allow you to purchase a higher quantity of paint. 
• Be flexible on paint color: If you must have a particular paint color in your room, you tie yourself to a narrow selection of paint. That means it will probably be much harder to find a bargain. If you want to buy more affordable paint, be open to a wide range of colors and shades.
• Use a paint calculator: If you are worried that you will end up buying more paint than you need, use an online paint calculator beforehand to get a better understanding of how much you need to buy.

Final Thoughts

Repairing cabinets, if done right, can be far more affordable than getting new ones installed. When it comes to the highest quality kitchen cabinets that will need few repairs over the years, 27EStore has you covered!

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