New Kitchen Cabinets: A Major Renovation
Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009
You're undertaking a kitchen remodel, and your first priority is new kitchen cabinets. Because cabinetry can easily eat 60% of your kitchen renovation budget, and most kitchen cabinet installations have at least a 35 year "shelf life," you mean business. You've got choices to make regarding style, hardware, finishes, and level of quality/pricing. Keep reading for a primer on how to get started.
About the Author
Ellen Foster is a freelance writer and teacher. She has taught students aged five to forty-five.
Consider Beginning with Your Price Point
Because kitchen cabinets can vary so greatly in their pricing, (laminate faced, self assembly can run about $80 per lineal foot versus $300 for hardwood doors, ceiling trims, and glass inserts) set your price. Know that price per lineal foot doesn't include cabinet installation or the countertop, but you can roughly estimate the total cost of the project by doubling the price per foot.How Many Lineal Feet Do You Need?
If you're getting jumpy about those lineal feet, it's time to estimate your needs. Measure the length of your wall cabinets and base cabinets and add the measurements together. Make sure you've doubled the number of feet for any cabinetry (or a pantry) that goes floor to ceiling.What Does the Lineal Per Foot Cost Include?
Kitchen cabinet retailers generally post an average lineal price for each type of cabinet. This price usually covers the doors and hinges. And unless indicated, it includes neither installation nor any bells and whistles: drawer pulls, doorknobs, trim, or cabinet options. If you plan on splurging for luxury cabinet hardware, you could be adding up to $50 more per cabinet.What to Do?
As you get out into the world and begin to compare cabinetry, make sure you're aware of fabrication techniques and hardware quality. You need to compare apples to apples when you're scouting for the best deal. Good luck!About the Author
Ellen Foster is a freelance writer and teacher. She has taught students aged five to forty-five.
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