How Getting Used Kitchen Cabinets Can Save You MoneyIf you kitchen is in serious need of an upgrade, then consider getting used kitchen cabinets. Before you hit the back button, with horrible images of 70s style cabinets, just think about it. I felt the same way, until I went to a friends barbeque last summer. She had been working on her kitchen. It looked stunning. Last time I had talked to her, a new kitchen was out of the question, until she took a trip to a "reuse" store. This particular place, is where contractors get rid of useable materials and products from their building sites or renovations. It is usually sold from these stores to fund the "Habitat for Humanity". She had walked through there and found a set of used kitchen cabinets, that had been carefully taken down. The boxes were in good shape, but the doors were not the best. So, she bought the set, and brought them home, and since these were standard sized boxes and bases, she reworked them to fit in her kitchen. She had taken the doors and hardware off, and they had cleaned and stripped the doors since they were oak. They had got quite dirty and did at one time have varnish on them. It didn't take much time to strip them, then she varnished them in a satin to preserve the natural oak look.
She then purchased new hardware. With a new countertop, she had a great kitchen. She was then able to afford a new sink and some extras. She got these used kitchen cabinets for a few hundred dollars. Well worth the price. This is just one place to check. You can also get friendly with a local kitchen contractor, who may be removing old cabinets from houses. If they can be salvaged, as him to find you some for a small fee. Many homeowners, want the contractor to get rid of the cabinets anyway, so if he knows he can sell them to you, he will take care taking them down. Some people change their kitchens more often then others, getting rid of perfectly good cabinets. Even if the doors need replacing, due to the style, it is still worth it just for the boxes. This is also a great way to score a set of cabinets for a cottage too! Also check the buy and sell section of your paper. Many people do their own kitchen make overs, and may just have a kitchen to get rid of. Try and look past the cabinets. If the bases and boxes are in good condition, then you can replace the doors or repaint or stain them and add new hardware. Once you have them installed, on freshly painted walls, a new counter, sink and backsplash, your kitchen will be just as nice as the very expensive ones with just a bit of investigating and work. Also See:
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