Hidden Costs: What Isn't Included in the Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing

One of the best ways to save money on remodeling your home is by refacing your cabinets instead of buying all new cabinets. You can give them a face-lift and save a load of money. The average cost of cabinet refacing about half of the cost of a complete replacement. Your cabinets will look just as great, and you can save money or afford to splurge on a fancier look than you'd planned.

But there are some hidden elements to the average cost of cabinet refacing to be aware of:

1. Mistakes: This cost factor can be completely eliminated with careful planning and precision. Mistakes can include inaccurate measurements, material-ordering errors, or incorrect installation of veneers.
2. Disposal: A lot of people forget to add in the cost of disposal when budgeting for a job. The garbage material has to go somewhere, and you might have to pay someone to pick it up. If you've hired a contractor to do the job for you, ask if disposal is included.
3. Wood: It's important to realize how much you can save using wood-like veneers like rigid thermofoil (RTF), which can bring the average cost of cabinet refacing down to a thousand dollars. Real wood is nice, but very expensive.
4. Material markups: Be aware that contractors profit by hefty markups on materials as well as for the valuable labor.
5. Damage: This cost is hidden until you tidy up the job and discover what tossing your tools around did to your kitchen. Make an extra effort to cover everything when setting up, and then work with caution.
6. Tools: If you don't already have all the tools needed, buying them can add up. Consider renting or borrowing to minimize costs.

By keeping in mind these points of wasteful spending, you can ensure the cost of your cabinet refacing project stays within budget.