Replace or Retrofit?
A common question from our clients embarking on their kitchen renovations, is the cost vs benefit of replacing their kitchen and whether reusing or refreshing existing/preloved kitchen cabinetry can save any time or money.
While we can appreciate the initial cost to completely replace can seem daunting when compared to retrofit options, oftentimes upon completion, the savings end up being frighteningly minimal.
Comparing to the install of a custom made kitchen, retrofitting is significantly more labour intensive and involves packing out and cutting down existing spaces to seamlessly match and give a quality finish as often cabinets built now will not interface with a kitchen built 15 + years ago
In addition to the increased labour, you would need to consider that if you choose to replace doors or drawer fronts, you would also likely need to replace the hinges and drawer runners. And once the bench top is replaced, you are actually only left with the cabinetry carcasses which is one of the smaller costs in the kitchen.
A recently renovated kitchen which maximised available space and through a full redesign, included custom features specific to their families needs. The inclusion of a raised breakfast bar discreetly separates any working mess from view, and adds much needed storage for this busy family.
Keeping your existing cabinet carcasses and just replacing the doors can potentially save you small cost, but you’ll need to make sure your carcasses are in a decent condition if you want the ‘new’ kitchen to last. And bear in mind that with a door replacement approach you’ll have to settle for the layout and surfaces you have now.
When wanting to optimise storage space, improve functionality, and durability, a replacement may be your best option. We create custom designs that tick all these boxes, and enhance the overall aesthetic of your home.
If you fancy yourself a DIY king and keen to tackle the challenge of packing up and straightening out a preloved kitchen, retrofitting will certainly provide you with many learning opportunities.
But if you are keen to take the guesswork out, in our full Kitchen Dynamics service we can help you design a truly bespoke kitchen: it will be beautiful, functional and tailored to the way you live, without having to even dust off your toolbelt.