Kenneth Lewis Blog

Are you considering beginning a kitchen remodeling or renovation project in the next few months? If so, head to the New England Home Show in February. Kenneth C Lewis Cabinetry will be there and we would love to speak with you about Cabinet Refinishing or Cabinet Refacing.

Cabinet Refinishing is a less expensive way to address your old and shabby kitchen cabinets.  You can still have a beautiful or elite looking kitchen, and cabinet refinishing is a less time consuming option and a great way to send money. And the cost can be lower if your cabinets and doors are in good shape.  Many decorative effects can be achieved during any cabinet refinishing project with paint or stain.

Cabinet Refacing is a bit more expensive than cabinet refinishing, but far less expensive than replacing your kitchen cabinets entirely. Cabinet refacing involves the replacement of the door and drawer fronts. A veneer of new wood is also applied over the existing cabinets.

Both of these options are easier, less time consuming and much less expensive. For more information contact us, and come see us at the New England Home Show in February.

At Cabinetry Refinishing by Kenneth C. Lewis, we take what our customers say about us very seriously. To everyone who has taken the time to comment and recommend us, we appreciate it very much.  Customer satisfaction is a big part of what we do.

Kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing is an easier, faster and much more economical solution to an entire kitchen remodel.
 
Here is what some of our customers are saying:

Thank you so much Ken for revitalizing our kitchen. Before you came and made our kitchen beautiful it was extremely dark and dreary. My husband and I were thinking of putting in a new kitchen and then we found out how much it would cost and how much time it would take for all the contractors to complete it.

You saved our kitchen and our sanity. – From Julie in Newton, MA

Our kitchen has never looked so good, my wife raves over how easy our cabinets are to clean and says the finish is so durable! You're very talented and we are glad we chose Kenneth C. Lewis over all the other options. – From Sam in Newton, MA

Simply put: I love my kitchen! – From Fran in Sharon, MA

We've had problems since the day we installed our kitchen. We live on the ocean and the cabinet manufacturer said that the reason for the finish failure was the environment. You completed our kitchen in days instead of months and it looks better than it ever did. – From Joe & Kathy in Duxbury, MA

Many homeowners, thinking they need a kitchen remodel, only need a kitchen facelift. The kitchen is the heart of the house, for that, it needs soul.

But sometimes, a remodel is just too expensive. A kitchen facelift can be done, a minor kitchen remodeling project, which injects the kitchen with life and soul.

A kitchen face-lift typically involves refreshing a lot of the old and injecting some of the new.

Kitchen face-lifts are all about making the most of what you have, maybe keep the flooring and the cabinetry. Add new backsplash, as well as countertops.

When you have kitchen cabinets that are sturdy and in good shape, cabinet refacing or cabinet refinishing, or a combination of both, is a great, inexpensive option.

Add new appliances if necessary, maybe an island if you have space and Viola! A new kitchen. Contact Kitchen Cabinetry.

Many homeowners who want to remodel are faced with the question: Should they replace their kitchen cabinets or just replace the cabinet doors?

Other homeowners have no idea that, depending on the material, they could restore their countertops to save some money, rather than buy new ones.

They want their kitchen remodel to be done right but also economically. They are also sure about one other thing.

They are not interested in buying a new home, just in making their existing home more comfortable by fixing up the kitchen and the bathroom.

The state of the economy and real estate market has created plenty of interest in remodeling projects. But consumers are not spending as much money as they used, but rather looking for more economical solutions. One of those solutions is cabinet refacing or cabinet refinishing in the kitchen and the bathroom.

If you are interested in spending your money more wisely, looking for value, and staying put, contact Cabinetry by Kenneth C. Lewis.

If you’re planning on a few home improvements, it's best to know which of them are likely to pay off if you sell your home and which won’t. ROI, or return on investment, should play a part in your plan. Basically, it is how much money you could recoup when you sell. Will that minor bathroom remodeling job be a good investment or not? Should you spend the extra money to fix up the kitchen?

More often than not, sellers can get back a substantial percentage of their outlay for a variety of well-executed improvements if they keep the market in mind.

According to the Cost vs. Value Report a "minor" kitchen remodel (in home improvement speak that's about $20K) is usually a good investment. The national average for cost returned is about 83%.

Keep in mind that spending more doesn't necessarily mean you'll get back a higher percentage later. In the last year, an upscale kitchen makeover, which might involve installing custom cherry cabinets and other luxurious amenities, the average recouped value is lower (about 78%) than for a minor kitchen remodeling project (83%) that is much less extensive or expensive.

This is why you should consider spending less and getting a larger return on that investment. If you have nice solid, but perhaps run down kitchen cabinets, consider kitchen cabinet refacing or refinishing. Contact us.

Original article - Demesne

If you are considering a kitchen remodel, you are certainly considering new cabinets. We encourage you to consider cabinet refinishing or cabinet refacing. These are less expensive options to replacing your kitchen cabinets. However the effect is just as dramatic and just as beautiful.

After your cabinets are refaced or refinished, you’ll need to know how to take care and maintain them. Like any high quality furniture, your kitchen cabinets should be treated carefully and cleaned and maintained with quality materials.

• Clean cabinets with a mild detergent or with soap and water (use sparingly) and dry them well using a lint-free cloth.
• Wipe up spills, splatters and water spots as they occur, keeping cabinets and countertops dry.
• Give special attention to areas near the sink and dishwasher that come in contact with moisture.

Your kitchen needs updating, but you do not want the expense of replacing the cabinets. Choose a less costly option. Replace the doors.

If the old cabinets are in good shape and are high-quality solid wood, it may only be the doors that really needed to be replaced.

Replacing the doors and covering the remaining exposed parts of the cabinets with a matching veneer can be done for about half the cost. This is the process of refacing.

In cabinet refacing, the cabinet doors are removed, and the sides and exterior face of the cabinet are covered with veneer. After the covering is installed, the new doors are added. New drawer fronts are also created and installed to match.

One of the greatest advantages of refacing cabinets is the minimal disruption to your home. Refacing is easier and faster. The cabinets should be well built and worth saving.

In order to increase storage, it is possible to add cabinets that match the refaced ones. If you replace the counters at the same time, you will feel as though you have had a full-blown kitchen remodel.

New cabinet doors can be made of a variety of woods, such as cherry, oak or maple, or with a wood laminate.

Contact Kenneth Lewis if refacing seems like the right option for you. 

For some, the idea of remodeling the kitchen is overshadowed by thoughts of cost overruns, delays, and decisions. Certainly the process seems daunting, but in the end it is very rewarding. A nice and easy kitchen makes life…nice and easy.

1: How will you use your kitchen

To have a successful kitchen remodel, it is important to think about how you’ll actually be using your kitchen. A kitchen island will often help make kitchen living easier. A kitchen island provides extra seating and serving space for a family and can include great storage options to help keep the kitchen organized.

2: Storage

A kitchen can never have enough storage. Existing cabinets can be refinished rather than replaced to save money while updating the look of the kitchen. Additional cabinet options can be added to existing cabinets such as roll out shelving, peg boards, and cup hangers. Near the garage, as you enter the kitchen, consider a utility cabinet with roll-out trays and cubbies to minimize clutter from purses, hats, and  keys.

3: Make the kitchen functional for all

Understand who is using the kitchen and for what. Do you like entertaining in your kitchen; reface some of the cabinet doors with glass fronted doors. Perhaps you are at home chefs, have all your cooking supplies organized. Is it a homework spot for kids? Have a drawer designated for school supplies.

The kitchen is no longer just where you eat and store food. The kitchen is mom’s command center, the kitchen is where you gather with family and friends.

If you kitchen is feeling a little dated, but a total remodel is out of the budget, try a cabinet upgrade by refinishing, refacing, painting, or installing a kitchen island.

Cabinet refinishing is a great way to save some money and still have a beautiful or elite looking kitchen. The cost can be lower if your cabinets and doors are in good shape.  Decorative Possibilities for Your Cabinets are almost endless due to the fact that Kenneth C Lewis we use the most durable commercial grade lacquer on the market.  Many decorative effects can be achieved during any cabinet refinishing project with paint or stain.

You could also add lazy susan or pull-out shelves to your existing kitchen cabinets. Replace a door or two with a glass front or some other more modern style and change the entire look of your cabinets. New hardware is also changes the look of your cabinets and drawers.

Refacing Cabinets - An alternative to refinishing is refacing. Although cabinet refacing is cheaper than all new cabinets, it is still considerably more expensive than cabinet refinishing. Cabinet refacing involves the replacement of the door and drawer fronts (with new) plus installing a veneer of new wood over the existing cabinets. This is usually done with your existing countertops in place if they are in good shape.

There are many homeowners that are hesitant to put their homes on the market today because they don’t feel as though they would get the asking price for it. Combine this with the lowest personal savings account interest rates in history and you have more people investing in their homes than ever. If you are going to keep your house, you may as well make it more comfortable while you’re there, and when you do sell it, the return you will get will most likely be higher than any interest rate.

One of the home improvement projects that do pay - Remodel the kitchen:

An average kitchen remodeling project takes nine months to plan and three months to build, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. You can improve the overall look and feel of a kitchen with a lot less work and money simply by refurbishing what you have. Some refurbishing options include refaced cabinets instead of new, resurfaced countertops or an added backsplash, updated flooring and under-cabinet task lighting.

Regardless of the project you plan to undertake, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most for your money.

• Establish a budget:
• Hire a qualified remodeler who is familiar with local building codes.
• Compare products and prices before you begin.
• Work with a contract.