It’s a New Year! Is selling your home one of your resolutions? If it is, then you might be looking for ways to increase its value – before you list it – without breaking the bank. One project that’s affordable and can make a world of difference is kitchen cabinet refacing.
When you take advantage of cabinet refacing, you can enhance the appearance of one of the most important areas in your home: the kitchen. According to a survey from Realtor.com, 80% of homebuyers placed the kitchen on their list of the top three most important spaces.
It’s why, if you have dated, scuffed, or worn-out looking cabinets, it can take away from the offers you get. In fact, the second a potential buyer steps into your home, they’re going to be scrutinizing it. When they see an imperfection, they’ll automatically begin deducting dollars from their offer price. The kitchen cabinets can therefore be a huge liability…or a big asset.
When cabinets look like new, you can actually list your home for a higher asking price. Not only that, but you’ll invite more interest and offers when you have beautifully updated cabinets to promote. It will give you a competitive advantage over other homesellers, hopefully leading to a faster sale. Best of all, you can achieve all this without spending a lot upfront.
So what exactly is kitchen cabinet refacing? How can you tell if your cabinets are a good candidate for it? Just how much can it increase your home’s value? Here’s everything you need to know.
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing, Defined
Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a process that simply involves removing the existing doors and drawer fronts and replacing them with new, custom-built ones.
Your cabinet boxes remain in place and are simply repaired in the areas where needed, such as if there are scratches or scuff marks. They’re then painted or stained to match the color of your new cabinet doors and drawers, so they too look like new.
Once the doors and drawer fronts are in place, new knobs or pulls are also installed, providing a completely transformed kitchen experience. Your cabinets will look like they just came off the truck from the factory, putting your home at the top of the list for many potential buyers.
Not All Kitchen Cabinets are Good Candidates for Refacing
If your kitchen cabinet doors and drawer fronts are damaged, dinged up, or look like they came from a different century, then you can enjoy a huge improvement by simply refacing them. However, if your cabinet boxes are also in rough shape, such as warped and water damaged, then you might want to consider a total replacement or simply selling your home “as is” so as not to incur the cost of a big renovation.
Another reason your kitchen cabinets might not be a good fit for refacing? If your kitchen is dysfunctional, refacing the cabinets isn’t going to change that. Whether the cabinets are too small, not deep enough, or placed in an awkward layout, this will still be a problem for potential buyers when they’re assessing your home. Putting brand new cabinet doors and drawer fronts in a kitchen that doesn’t make sense will simply waste time and money.
How Much can Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Improve Home Value
When it comes to kitchen remodeling projects, the return on the investment depends on the project. Small improvements generally tend to give you more of a return than a complete overhaul. That’s why kitchen cabinet refacing can be so valuable.
You’ll get like-new cabinets without spending the tens of thousands of dollars associated with a complete renovation. In fact, refacing kitchen cabinets is typically about half the cost of a full replacement. Plus, you’ll get rid of all the signs of wear and tear; achieve a fresh, modern look; and do so in a way that’s faster.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all percentage for the exact return on investment you’ll get with kitchen upgrades, including cabinet refacing. The amount of money you can recoup depends on a number of factors, including where you live and the local real estate market. For instance, your return will be different if you live on the West Coast or in the Northeast versus states in the Midwest.
If you’re not sure whether refacing is the right avenue for you, talk to an experienced real estate expert. They know the local market and understand what’s important to buyers in your area. They can give you information and advice on the best ways to renovate to get the most ROI without overdoing it.
If, however, you’re ready to take the leap and discuss cabinet refacing with experts, turn to N-Hance®. One of the biggest advantages of refacing your kitchen cabinets is that you can achieve a beautiful transformation in a matter of days; usually around five.
In addition, when you choose to reface instead of replace, you’re not limited in terms of door styles or colors. There are many designs and color possibilities to choose from, from classic white to rich black, to greens, blues and more. You can also opt for a more natural approach through a stain, as well as different finishing techniques, like antiquing.
Whatever your vision, the experts at N-Hance will walk you through every option. If you’re planning to sell your home soon, we’ll also discuss the selections that may appeal to a wider audience. We’ll help you create a space that will attract the most buyers, so you can achieve your resolution in the New Year.
If you’d like to learn more about kitchen cabinet refacing and how it can increase your home