12 Essential Questions to Ask Your Cabinet Refacing Contractor
If you’re renovating your kitchen, cabinet refacing is a cost-effective way of upgrading your kitchen cabinets. It transforms your existing cabinets at a fraction of the cost of complete cabinet replacement.
Hiring the right cabinet refacing contractor is crucial if you want your project to turn out as envisioned. In this blog, we will guide you on how to select the perfect contractor. We’ll cover essential questions to ask your cabinet refacing contractor, as well as red flags to watch for that might indicate a less-than-ideal candidate.
Understanding Cabinet Refacing
Cabinet refacing gives your kitchen a fresh look by replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing cabinet box or body.
Some advantages of cabinet refacing include the following:
- Affordable: Cabinet refacing can cost as little as half of a complete replacement.
- Fast: While building and installing custom cabinets takes 8–12 weeks, a professional contractor can finish a typical refacing project in a week or less.
- Tidy: Unlike a full kitchen renovation that can turn your home into a construction zone, cabinet refacing causes minimal disruption and less dust and debris.
That said, cabinets have to meet certain conditions to be suitable for refacing.
- The cabinet box must still be sturdy.
- The face frame must be solid wood.
- Some contractors require that the internal hardware (e.g., hinges, drawer slides, storage systems) be in good condition because replacing these is optional for them. American Wood Reface, however, always replaces door hinges. Our customers can opt to have their drawer boxes, slides, and shelves replaced.
Essential Questions to Ask
Hiring a contractor for cabinet refacing requires thorough research. For the project to go smoothly, some questions to ask your cabinet refacing contractor include their experience, process, and customization options, as well as the project details.
Contractor’s Experience and Credentials
How many years of training and experience do your installers have?
Asking a contractor, “How long have you been in the cabinet refacing business?” can help you identify their expertise in the field. A contractor with years of experience can foresee potential issues beforehand and offer solutions to deal with them effectively.
Can you provide references or examples of past projects?
References and portfolios offer firsthand insights into the contractor’s workmanship. Asking for before-and-after photos or researching them on reputable home service referral websites instills confidence and helps you envision the potential of your project.
Word of mouth is also an invaluable resource when considering a contractor. Reading online reviews, speaking to past customers, and seeking referrals from trusted neighbors and local community groups offer real-world insights that can help you make a well-informed decision about your project.
Are you licensed and insured?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in subpar work and leave you liable for accidents or damages. On the other hand, licensed and insured contractors provide high-quality work, protect you from liability, and adhere to building codes for safe project execution.
Process and Execution
What is your refacing process?
Here’s a step-by-step process of a typical refacing project:
- Planning and Selection: The first step is to assess the condition of the cabinets and choose the new cabinet refacing materials and desired options. Materials are ordered, and your project is placed on the contractor’s schedule.
- Cabinet Refacing: The refacing process starts. The contractor removes old cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Cabinet boxes are refaced, and then new doors and drawer fronts are installed with new hardware.
- Finishing Touches and Inspection: A thorough inspection ensures everything is properly aligned and securely attached.
Can you modify existing cabinets or construct new ones?
Understanding the differences between refacing, modification, and new construction is crucial to understanding a contractor’s capabilities. To help you comprehend them better, here are the distinctions.
- Refacing focuses on updating the exterior look of the existing cabinets and retaining their structure and layout. Some contractors limit their service to this basic skill.
- Modification involves resizing cabinets or altering their function, adding new cabinets, installing organization features, and/or changing the kitchen’s layout. More advanced contractors will offer these customizations.
- New construction involves removing old cabinets and building and installing new ones from scratch. Only the most experienced cabinet makers offer this level of craft.
How do you handle waste and cleanup?
Many homeowners complain about mess and dust after construction. Thus, you should talk to your contractor about the level of cleanliness you expect from them.
A professional contractor should, at the minimum, partition off the work area from the rest of the home by hanging sheeting to minimize dust. Then, when the project is finished, they should remove all debris and sweep and vacuum the floor. Some might charge extra if asked to clean anything else. A superior contractor will clean up the work area daily at the end of their shift.
What is your warranty on materials and installation?
A warranty signifies the contractor’s commitment to the quality of their work and the materials used. It acts as a safeguard against potential defects or issues that might arise post-installation.
Look for long-term warranties that cover both materials and labor. The best warranties offer a “Lifetime Warranty,” which covers defects in workmanship and materials for the entire time you own your home. Make sure you understand the details of any warranty offered.
Project Details
What materials do you use for refacing?
The type of material used in the refacing project impacts its durability, lifespan, and visual appeal. Below is a table comparing common materials and their pros and cons.
| Material | Pros | Cons |
| Laminate | AffordableDifferent colors and patterns availableLow-maintenance | Not durableProne to chipping and peeling |
| Rich Thermofoil | Smooth appearanceMoisture-resistantStain-resistant | Susceptible to heat damageCan delaminate or peel |
| Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) | Smooth surfaceMost affordable wood optionHolds paint and finishes well | Least sturdy wood optionProne to water damage |
| Plywood | Supports heavy weight wellResistant to warping and crackingProvides a sturdy base for hardware and hinges | More expensive than MDFCan have visible grain patterns depending on the grade |
| Solid Wood | Natural and timeless appearanceDurable and long-lastingMany finishes, hand-detailed finish effects, and solid colors are available.Repairable Low maintenance | Most expensive wood option |
What is the expected timeline for the project?
The time frame for completion varies depending on the scope of the project. Knowing the duration of the refacing allows you to plan around inconveniences and adjust schedules accordingly.
Can you provide a detailed estimate?
A detailed estimate is essential for transparency and setting clear expectations. It should include key components such as the following:
- Additional Costs: Customization/modification requests, material escalation
- Materials: Refacing material, finishes, adhesives, sealants
- Labor: Lump sum or time-based estimates
Customization and Design
Can I customize the design, and what wood types, styles, colors, and finishes are available?
Crafting your dream kitchen requires cohesiveness. Asking your contractor about design options, such as wood type, finish, and color, is crucial because it allows you to tailor the project to your aesthetic preferences.
For example, if you want to achieve elegance, selecting cherry wood with a glazed finish can imbue your space with sophistication. Alternatively, for a more rustic charm, choosing hickory with a distressed finish can enhance the cozy atmosphere of your kitchen. Customization will vary by material—for instance, only high-quality solid wood offers a high level of finish customization, such as distressing or glazing.
Customization for functional needs is also an important consideration. A contractor that can modify cabinets will allow you to add conveniences such as drawer banks or an over-the-range microwave. Additionally, some contractors offer options such as crown molding, stone countertops, a tile backsplash, and undercabinet lighting to create a gorgeous upscale kitchen.
Do you offer additional services like hardware replacement or drawer upgrades?
Kitchens need to look as beautiful as they are practical. You can achieve this by upgrading your kitchen drawers and cabinets with new knobs, handles, and pulls. Additionally, cabinet organization features are excellent add-ons to maximize your storage space and improve accessibility.
Red Flags to Watch For
When choosing a cabinet refacing contractor, being aware of potential red flags can save you from headaches down the road. Here are key warning signs to watch for.
- Lack of Communication: A contractor who is difficult to reach or unresponsive during the consultation phase may have poor project management and communication skills.
- Unusually Low Estimates: While affordability is important, significantly lower estimates compared to other contractors may signal the use of subpar materials, shortcuts in craftsmanship, or potential hidden costs that could surface during the project.
- Negative Reviews or Poor References: Research a contractor’s reputation before committing to avoid potential disappointments. Take consistent negative feedback from previous clients seriously.
Takeaway
Inquiries about their experience, process, project details, and customization are all essential questions to ask your cabinet refacing contractor. By understanding these aspects thoroughly, you can ensure that your project lives up to your expectations.
American Wood Reface has been a trusted refacing contractor since 1979. We specialize in premium quality 1/4″ solid wood refacing. The choices we offer in wood types, styles, and finishes provide nearly unlimited design possibilities. Our skilled carpenters can craft cabinets exactly to our customers’ preferences with nearly any type of modification or installation option.
Ready to transform your kitchen? Schedule a consultation today! We offer in-home or virtual appointments to accommodate your availability.