Some of the questions we’re frequently asked about cabinet refacing

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Are you part of a national franchise or chain?

No, we are locally owned and operated in Geneva, Illinois.

What does refacing with “real wood” mean and why is it the best option?

There are a few different ways to reface cabinets. Back in the 80’s, my parents had a big, well-known company reface our kitchen using wood-grain plastic laminate. It was pretty awful. Fast forward 40 years and there are still companies using plastic laminates, but now the names have changed – RTF (rigid thermofoil), 3D laminates, “phenolic resins” – at then end of the day they’re all still various forms of plastic. The doors and drawers are generally fiberboard with a plastic film bonded to the surface. A recurring problem I see is on the door edges. Where the plastic makes a sharp bend at the corners a small crack can develop. Once you get water entry through the crack , the fiberboard will swell up and cause the rest of the plastic to de-laminate. Once a plastic-film door starts to fail, there’s really no saving it.

It usually takes 3-4 weeks to receive all the doors, drawers and components from our supplier in Wisconsin. Once we have the materials, most kitchens are completed in about a week. The kitchen is usable very night and there is minimal disruption to your normal routine.

Can you add or change cabinets?

Yes. We come from a background of custom cabinet building, so it’s no problem to add or modify a cabinet before refacing.

Do you replace drawer boxes, too?

Yes. If you’d like, we can replace the existing drawer boxes with hardwood, dovetailed-corner drawer boxes on full-extension drawer glides.

Do I have to empty my cabinets before refacing?

No, you don’t. If we are replacing drawers, we can just remove the existing drawer boxes and set them aside while we install the new ones. You can then transfer the contents at your convenience.

Do you paint or refinish cabinets?

No, we don’t. We feel that the time, effort and expense to strip and refinish the cabinets doesn’t justify the relatively minor improvement. Also, we’ve found that repainted cabinets don’t hold up real well.

Who actually does the work?

I do. No subcontractors are used. The  person that you speak with about the project details will be the same person that shows up to do the work, and that person would be me.

Are my cabinets worth refacing?

Most of the cabinets that we reface are builder’s grade oak cabinets. As long as the frames are in good shape, we can reface and guarantee the installation. We’re happy to evaluate them and let you know if they’re good candidates.

Do you install countertops?

No, but we are happy to provide referrals for countertop fabricators with a reputation for good service.

From an investment point of view, how does refacing compare with new cabinets?

Each year Remodeling Magazine publishes a “Cost vs. Value Report” (viewing report requires registration) with information provided by realtors nationwide. In the Chicago area a “minor kitchen remodel”, which they describe as “leaving cabinet boxes in place and replacing with solid wood doors and drawer fronts” had a projected return-on-investment of 102.9%, compared to a “major kitchen remodel”  which is described as tear-out and “replace cabinets with new semi-custom wood cabinets”  at a projected ROI of 78%.

Do you do free estimates?

Yes. I do things a little differently than the big chains. Since I don’t have a separate sales staff I try to make the process as efficient as possible. You can start by texting or emailing a few pictures of the kitchen along with a count of the number of cabinet doors and drawers. From there I can provide a very general idea of pricing, without you having to have anyone come to your home. After you have that information, we can arrange a time to get together to check out styles and finishes and discuss project details. All at no charge, of course.

 

Have a question we didn’t address?

Just call 630-337-9700 or email.
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