36 The Courier sun • at home • FEBRUARY 18, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.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 pullout shelves, a lazy Susan, flip-out drawer fronts, a wine rack or a pull-out trash bin. Some refacers will even replace countertops, sinks and flooring. Need a cabinet above the refrigerator? No problem. Your refacer can custom-build 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. 77 CLEANING, LLC A Green Clean Company • Home and Offi ce Cleaning • Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • Party Prep Cleaning • Yard and Garden Clean-outs • Cleanouts SENIOR DISCOUNT 10% OFF • Windows cleaned On Cleaning Home Cannot be combined with any other offer. We use only Green and Environmentally Safe Cleaning Products! We Serve All 5 Boroughs HOURS: 8 AM – 6 PM 7- DAYS FIRST TIME CUSTOMER SPECIAL! With this coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offer. FREE ESTIMATES! CALL NOW! 718-326-8761 www.77Cleaning.com LICENSED and INSURED With this coupon. Cannot be combined with any other offer. 4 Rooms of Cleaning Only $77 + tax Any 2 Rooms 10’x10’ Carpet Cleaned For Only $77 + tax JERRY FINK REAL ESTATE 3% LISTING SPECIAL BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY OFFICE # 718-766-9175 CELL # 917-774-6121 EMAIL Jfinkre@yahoo.com www.jfinkre.com
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