56 The Queens Courier • at home • july 16, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com at home REFACE OR REPLACE? By Tresa Erickson Kitchens are often the heart of a home. They’re the place where people gather together to enjoy each other’s company as they prepare food, pay bills or do other chores. Kitchens work overtime and can take a real beating over the years, especially the cabinets. While some homeowners choose to reface their cabinets, others choose to replace them entirely. There are pros and cons to each, of course, but either way, the heart of the home will get a much-needed facelift. Refacing cabinets is generally the less expensive option of the two. With refacing, cabinet boxes are left in place while the exposed frames are refaced with plastic veneer or wood and new cabinet doors and drawers or drawer fronts are installed. For an additional cost, other accessories may be incorporated, such as pull-out shelves, a lazy Susan, flipout drawer fronts, a wine rack or a pullout trash bin. Some refacers will even replace countertops, sinks and flooring. Need a cabinet above the refrigerator? No problem. Your refacer can custombuild one for an additional fee. Refacing works best on cabinets that are in good condition but could use some updating. The average cost for a job runs from $5,000 to $8,000. Replacing is just what it sounds like. All of the old kitchen cabinets are removed and new ones are installed. This option is much more time consuming, but if your cabinets are in terrible shape or you are looking to create a better layout or add storage, new cabinets are your best bet. But, be prepared to shell out some money. New cabinets can cost anywhere from $5,000 on up. Add in the cost of installation and extras like molding, and you can see why replacement is the more expensive option. Both options have their pros and cons. Refacing can generally be done in a week or less, whereas installing new cabinets can take weeks. New cabinets mean new everything inside and out, whereas with refaced cabinets, you get just new doors, drawers and hardware. If your cabinets are older, that could be a plus as many cabinets built 20 or 30 years ago are of better quality than some of the cabinets on the market today. Refacing will do nothing for cabinets that are in poor condition or misaligned due to sagging floors. To etermine the best option for you, consult with some reputable contractors. They can tell you whether your cabinets are in good enough condition to reface and advise you as to the best route to take. If you are looking for more counter space, for example, new cabinets may be the way to go. Budget is always a factor. How much do you have to spend? Generally, it costs twice as much to replace cabinets as it does to reface them. Should you purchase stock cabinets or install them yourself, however, you may be able to save enough to afford new cabinets. Look around and do your homework. The right cabinets, new or updated, can enhance the feel of any kitchen. Review the options carefully and make the right choice for you. Reface or replace, you’re sure to end up with a kitchen your friends and family will enjoy hanging out in. Metro Cabinet and Flooring COUNTERTOPS STARTING AT $45 PER SQ. FT. Including Installation $600 OFF FOR PURCHASES OF $5000 OR MORE Specializing in: • Kitchen Cabinetry • Floor Tiles • Hardwood Flooring • Granite and Quartz Countertops • Commercial & Residential Carpeting • FREE 3-D Design • FREE Estimate • FREE Measurement 100-07 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills 718.544.2634 Fax: 718.263.2032 KITCHEN AND BATH SPECIALISTS AT GENERAL WOODWORKING At General Woodworking, customers can construct their perfect home with the finest materials all available at affordable prices. “We give special attention to our customers,” said owner Simon Viner, who has been in the business for 35 years. “This business is a family thing – I got it from my father and brothers.” Located at 182-12 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows for the past 15 years, General Woodworking is a full construction business specializing in kitchen and bath. They offer customers a wide selection of everything from custom-made kitchen cabinets to bathroom vanities. The family-owned business also specializes in European cabinets, which Viner said gives customers a “different” feel of elegance and beauty. In addition to full construction projects, General Woodworking also offers refacing services for customers hoping to revamp their cabinets at a lower cost without the inconvenience of removing and replacing existing cabinets. “This way you go from an old kitchen to an almost new kitchen,” said Viner. “This is good for somebody who doesn’t want to spend much, but still wants to get quality and value. It takes us two to three days from the time we walk into the house to get the job done.” Viner added that his business stands out from other similar businesses because they are very flexible when it comes to pricing and offer a large selection of products to choose from. “We can give great prices to any budget,” he said. “We have lots of different products with different varieties and can match it to any budget.” He also added that General Woodworking works closely with customers to ensure they will be happy. One can order just cabinets, do complete installations or both. For a limited time, customers who order full kitchen cabinets will get a free stainless steel under mount sink and faucet as part of a spring special. Interested individuals can call for a free estimate or visit the showroom from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday or on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit generalkitchens.com or call 718-969-6525. – Alexa Mae Asperin
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