Quick Kitchen Makeovers

I am often called to homes where the owners, who after watching a home improvement show on TV, want to do a quick makeover on their kitchen. Aren't any improvements a good idea? Well, it depends on the factors below:

1) Is it worth updating the cabinets with new doors?
In many cases the condition of the carcass is dubious to say the least and where there is not a proper carcass the hinges would not work for modern doors.

2) Is the existing layout as you would like it to be?
In the time that I have been in the home improvements industry, in 90% of the cases I've seen the existing layout is not good and should be changed. That means that really the cabinets have to come out and be replaced.

3) Can’t I repair the cabinets I have?
Yes you can! BUT at the present hourly rates for a skilled cabinetmakers, it would be cheaper and quicker, to simply replace them. I have seen people in the inner Sydney suburbs spend a fortune to restore rubbish. Once the hype and emotion is taken out of it, most of the stuff I look at is best sent to the tip.

4) So what is the difference in cost?
It is interesting that over 70% of the cabinet cost is the door. So merely putting new doors on with the labour involved may save you little, UNLESS of course you do the manual work yourself. Then and only then it may be worth it.

5) Be aware of all the costs.
Even replacing a benchtop can have costs that the inexperienced renovator would not expect. For example you will have to disconnect and reconnect the sink and tap. This may be an easy job or a hard one depending on how it is presently set up. There is also the prospect of needing an electrician for stoves or cooktops.

6) What other charges might I be up for?
Things such as removal of rubbish and tip fees need to be factored in as they can run into large sums in some cases. 

In MOST cases it is much more effective and desirable to simply get a new kitchen designed and installed. That way any problems with layout can be sorted out, and in the long term the results are simply better. Financially, there might not actually end up being too much of a difference and in exchange for a little more cash you won't have to put up with a bad original layout and poor cabinetry. 

List your kitchen renovation job. 

About Author Roger Black

Roger Black heads up Supreme Home Improvements, a building company that specialises in kitchen renovations.