1549 South 300 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
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If you’re looking into DIY cabinet staining for your next weekend project, you’re probably fed up with the way your kitchen looks right now. Maybe the paint is peeling. Maybe there are stains that just won’t come out. You’re ready for a change, either for your own enjoyment or to increase the home’s aesthetic appeal to a potential buyer.
Either way, before you invest hours of time in research and hundreds of dollars (or more) in tools and supplies, we think you should carefully consider whether DIY cabinet staining is right for you. Could there be a better way to use your money?
At first glance, it might seem like you’ll save substantially on DIY work versus any other option, from professional resurfacing to cabinet replacement. And you may be right — the hard costs will likely be lower.
But think about the time you’ll have to spend on the project.
If your cabinets are in good condition except for their exteriors, they are good candidates for this type of renovation work. As long as you have the know-how, you can likely complete the project in a few days.
On the other hand, if this is your first time taking on DIY cabinet staining, think carefully about the commitment. From take-down to sanding to staining and finishing, there are many steps involved. Any error could set back your timeline or not deliver the result you want. Is it still worth it when you consider the time you’ll have to put in?
Another obstacle that commonly faces first-time DIY cabinet renovators is that their cabinets aren’t quite fit to be refurbished — they need to be replaced.
Defects like warping and water damage can make the actual cabinet boxes difficult to salvage for use in a re-facing project. When you run into these issues, it will severely affect the quality of the result.
Before you decide to go all in on DIY cabinet staining as a way to revamp your kitchen, make sure to conduct a full assessment of your cabinets’ condition. Also, consider getting a quote for replacement, then comparing that to the cost of repairs and the projected results of each.
At Swirl Woodcraft, we want to do what’s best for our clients. We use high-quality materials and impeccable craftsmanship to build your dream cabinetry. If you’re finding that DIY cabinet staining isn’t in your wheelhouse, looking for alternatives should start with our team. We are here for you, ready to provide a custom quote for what you need.
