Are these cabinets toast?

Question

I have not seen these cabinets in person.  I don't even know if they are 'real wood' or some type of press board or what.  To me they don't look like real solid wood.

I wanted to have them refinished.  Strip the current paint, fill, sand, paint, new hardware and I'm good to go.

Not so fast it seems.  I showed the photos to three different cabinet re-finishers.

One said they are beyond help.

One quoted me $900 to redo the kitchen ones and two bathroom's worth.

The third quote I got is for $2,600 (kitchen only, I almost hit the floor).

Went to Home Depot to see about refacing service.  They quoted (only for the kitchen, no bathrooms) $3,700 for new doors and new counter tops.

Just suffering from a bit of sticker shock here, trying to determine my next move.  I have tenants wanting to move in, but I want to fix these and a few other items before they move in.

Michael Boyer · Answer

Agree with the DIY repaint points above (if they are structurally sound inside; can't see inside).. repaint is the best route for lower/mid range rental...

The last two small kitchens I have redone with white cabinets, I used the Ben Moore Advance and brushed it on (a really nice low VOC if you have used old school oil based in the past for cabinets). Still have half a gallon left after two full kitchens... (with no uppers you could get by with a quart). It is designed for this application (sure Sherwin and other specialty paints have similar products, just the one I used)..

So the materials are pretty cheap: some scotch bright sponges (use the abrasive green side to degloss and cut grease with hot TSP--or TSP substitute-- and rinse with clean water).. Cutting the greases in a kitchen are key to good adhesion. Paint (mentioned), some quality brushes, a wood filler, little primer to spot prime, painter tape. (BTW: You could pull the knobs and spray paint them or just replace with a higher end for some wow factor; or keep as is). Line the insides of the cabinets or roll out same paint. Put a linoleum scrap under the sink..

Presto--fresh cabinets that suit the average B/C renter. It is low dollar project on materials but some labor... Overall, cheaper than the demo and replacement and not any real sticking points or domino effects (where one thing leads to another, think counters, backsplash, demo discoveries, ordering mistakes, sizing issues etc..)

(Also, don't strip it, at least I would not.. just pick a white to paint over it after cleaned/deglossed. And I probably would not even pull the doors (just knobs)--just mask and paint it in place for the most efficient job..)

Randy Beadles · Answer

I've found people like older houses but new kitchens and bathrooms. In my B or less houses, both flips and holds, I rip out old crappy cabinets and counters and replace with off the shelf products from Home Depot. They have the Hampton Bay line in several different finishes. I just did 2 kitchens, similar in size to what you show in the pics, and both cost under $2K for cabinets, counter tops and sinks.  Doing this and only using stainless appliances creates a wow factor that gets me top rents and resale values.

Adam Bartomeo · Answer

I would be able to fix that myself for about $60 and 4 hrs. Find a creative handyman, tell him that it has to be done for under $100 including labor and he will get it done.

John Ratigan · Answer

man, those cabinets look dated.

sure you could buy some wood putty for 5 bucks, get a color match from the paint store for your cabinets, and do some touch ups...you could solve the problem for under 30 bucks if you can paint them yourself...but, I would replace the knobs, paint them a cream color, and change the counter top/sink, and tile a quick backsplash. if you're handy, your costs would be limited to the counter top and sink and tile, you could do most of this yourself. you could take the kitchen from what it is now, to a beautiful appealing spot, of course, it's a matter of budget.

Lauren H. · Answer

If you decide to paint, which is what I would do in your situation, if you ask for a glossy outdoor porch paint (oil based) it will go on nicely and leave a smooth surface that is easy to clean. I've done this in 2 properties that are B- buildings in C+ areas and the tenants really like the look. I chose a soft blue paint color for the cabinets with a neutral-light countertop, walls are painted Gold Coast White (Home Depot) and installed stainless sinks and faucets.

Robert Gunther · Answer

Rental in a B to B- area.   I am inclined to do the filler and keep those doors going a few more years.  It would take almost 9 months of rental profits to pay for doing new cabinet doors from Home Depot.

For my $900 bid I get stripped, repaired and painted kitchen doors, two bathrooms (about 4 doors in each bathroom) and painting the boxes.

I will follow up on this thread  with the results of what I end up going with.

Are these cabinets toast?

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