What can be done with Oak Kitchen Cabinets?

[direct-x]

The house I just purchased has an Oak cabinet kitchen similar to this:

http://www.mississippivalleyrealty.com/143cab.jpg

Keep in mind my cabinets are about 25 years old, and are in need of work.

They are scratched, grimy, and need some sprucing up.

From what I have been reading on the internet, I have four options available to me.

1) Gut the kitchen and replace in its entirety
2) Resurface the kitchen (replace doors, drawers, etc)
3) Sand and stain
4)Paint

My budget for this job would be about 6K, but that needs to include countertops.

I figure this would eliminate the first two options.

I also need the work done in a week as I am on a very tight schedule.

In your experience, what is the best option for the job?

[JWL]

Paint them.

We had nearly identical oak cabinets but in a dark brown stain (so they were way less attractive than what you have). We had them painted in a light beige/taupe and they look great. Had it done using Benjimen Moore enamal and they have a great feel to them as well.

Ours only cost $1400, but we had quotes from $1000 to $2,400.

I'll take some pics tonight if you're interested (PM me if I forget!).

[patrob]

I personally would paint...sanding & staining would be more work...

My mother bought once an older home that had the dark oak cabinets & with just a little paint it looked like she got new cabinets:!: As long as they are not falling apart, painting would be the easiest. I believe she got the paint at Home Depot especially made for cabinets (melamine paint I think) & just pick your colour (I recommend light cream/beige - very trendy) & if your have raised panels you can even add some "glazing" technique in the edges if you like that look, which is also very popular now...

Here is a pic after it was done with new appliances, backsplash & countertops!...
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/230/img2133ks6.jpg

[rf134a]

You should also look at getting new hinges as well. Mechanical parts tend to wear out.

[direct-x]

Wow, nice.

Would it be best to get this done by a contractor, or is this the type of job that can be done by myself ( I am nowhere close to being a handyman).

What steps are involved?

[patrob]

Wow, nice.

Would it be best to get this done by a contractor, or is this the type of job that can be done by myself ( I am nowhere close to being a handyman).

What steps are involved?

You don't need a contractor... My mother did it all by herself :cheesygri . All you do is take off the doors from hinges, slightly sand them so they are little rough so paint sticks better to it. Anything that you want painted has to be sanded slightly with a fine sand paper. Tape walls & anything you do not want to paint & start painting. You want to make sure you have an area where you can put the painted doors so they dry. You will probably need2 coats, depending if you are happy with the final result.

You might want to remove hinges but they can be easily put back on & at the same time buy new pulls/knobs & that will make a big diff. in the appearance of your "Custom NEW" kitchen.

If my mother could do this then anyone can! Good luck ;)

[IoannI]

Fromainca countertops, new doors and handles and then sand and stain the cabinents. Oak cabinets deserve stain not paint. Paint to them is murder.

[direct-x]

Fromainca countertops, new doors and handles and then sand and stain the cabinents. Oak cabinets deserve stain not paint. Paint to them is murder.

And what exactly would this cost?

A few people I spoke too suggested that sanding and staining my cabinets would easily cost 6-7K without the extra hardware and counter tops.

[patrob]

Fromainca countertops, new doors and handles and then sand and stain the cabinents. Oak cabinets deserve stain not paint. Paint to them is murder.

New doors would involve higher cost...but it's also an option. But I guess the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the OP will have to make that decision :) .

[IoannI]

New doors would involve higher cost...but it's also an option. But I guess the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the OP will have to make that decision :) .

Exactly I didnt take that into consideration but if the doors are like the ones in the picture,I wouldnt change them.

[IoannI]

And what exactly would this cost?

A few people I spoke too suggested that sanding and staining my cabinets would easily cost 6-7K without the extra hardware and counter tops.

I'm not sure what people charge I do my own home renovations

[William W]

On my previous, I sanded and stained the doors as well as the cabinent myself. It took me about 6 hours to sand about 30 door (both sides) with one of these Sander Polisher kit (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6672873&bmUID=1175728890699&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442543359&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true). And about 2 days to stain, dry and restain them. I didn't bother to changed the hardware when I did mine, but I figure it will probably take another day. And afterward, I just ask a contractor to come in to change the counter top as well as the sink and faucet. End up costing less than $1000.