New Cabinets vs. Refinishing: the Bottom Line

Question: My wife and I have been wanting to remodel our kitchen. The estimate we got for cabinets was about $3,000. This is a little more than we want to spend, because we plan to live in our townhouse for only four to five years and we need appliances too. I wanted to know your thoughts about cabinet refinishing and refacing. I understand that it costs less than new cabinets and can look very nice.

LUIS EGELSEE

Redondo Beach

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Answer: Though $3,000 is not an extravagant amount to spend for new cabinets, I think you are wise to consider how long you will be able to enjoy them--in your case about five years. It’s true that refinishing and refacing cabinets is cheaper than replacing them, but you are still looking at about half the cost.

I would suggest asking yourself three questions:

* Are the current cabinets of good quality and in good shape?

If the cabinet boxes and drawers were cheap and shoddy from the get-go--crumbling fiberboard and flaking plywood--then refinishing the fronts or adding new doors won’t solve your problems. Refinishing sounds so easy, but it’s still a messy job, and almost as disruptive to your life as installing new cabinets.

* Do you want to keep the same look or do you want something different?

It’s funny how we all want a change. People who have dark kitchens want one that’s light. And if the original is light, they want the new one dark and moody. If you have knotty pine cabinets and are looking for a white Euro look, go with the new cabinets.

* Do you consider yourself an environmentalist?

Keeping your cabinets intact and out of the landfill is probably best for the Earth. But even if you go with new cabinets, you can pay your contractor to carefully remove the old cabinets and install them in your garage, thus adding value to your home when it’s time to sell.

Don’t do this: Don’t refinish or reface shoddy cabinets. And don’t pour a ton of money into a remodel if you’re going to move soon.

Do this: Replace cabinets if they’re junk or if you’re after a totally different look.

‘Flip-Flopping’ Rooms Takes Nerves of Steel

Q: I read your article a while back on the “The Big Flip-Flop” house, but I couldn’t understand how the switch was accomplished. Was the house demolished and reconstructed in reverse, or was it jacked up off the foundation and rotated? The result sounded beautiful.

HOWARD STAVIS

Hollywood Hills

A: Good question, and I’m sorry I didn’t make it clearer that the structure of the house itself stayed intact on the lot. What changed was the use of the space inside the house. For instance, the kitchen and living room were originally at the front of the 1940s-era house, with windows overlooking the frontyard. This hearkens back to a time when people sat in their living rooms and waved at neighbors strolling by on the sidewalk.

But today’s families are generally seeking more privacy, and this family wanted the kitchen and family room at the back of the house, open to the backyard. So they removed the kitchen sink, counters, etc., from the front of the house, and turned that room into a master bathroom, and then they turned the adjacent living room area into a master bedroom.

Then, a new kitchen was built in the back of the house, where a couple of bedrooms used to be. In my opinion, it takes a very creative mind to even consider moving rooms around within a house. And then it takes guts to carry it out.

Don’t do this: Don’t think the original designers of your house were so brilliant that they placed the rooms in the right places.

Do this: If your bathroom has the best view in the house, think about flip-flopping your own rooms.

Kitchen Paint Layers Need Ample Dry Time

Q: My wife and I enjoyed your article some time ago on a kitchen that was painted Monet blue. Can you give us any information about the process of painting a kitchen, such as preparation of the cabinet surfaces, the type of paint, primers?

NEIL and JOAN GOLDBERG

Via e-mail

A: To answer your question, I went straight to the source, Marshall Smith, the construction coordinator for the remodeled kitchen in the article. He said that if you follow these procedures, you’ll get a good paint job that will resist cracking, peeling and chipping.

* Vacuum or wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth beforehand, especially horizontal surfaces such as shelves.

* Prep all surfaces with either a primer, which is suitable for a homeowner to apply, or a light coating of plaster, which typically requires a professional’s touch.

* Allow the first coat of paint to dry at least 24 hours, and then sand lightly, filling any holes with Spackle. Sand Spackle when dry, and again vacuum or wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth.

* Apply a second coat and allow to dry at least 24 hours.

Don’t do this: Don’t plan on completing your painting job in one day.

Do this: Let the first coat dry 24 hours, longer in wet weather, and leave 24 hours for the second coat to dry.

Architect Can Bring a Remodel to Life

Q: My husband and I are planning to do some remodeling at our home and we would like your advice on a couple of things. Should we interview architects first or do we interview contractors first and go with the architects they use? Also, how important do you feel it is to use a local contractor?

My feeling is that if they live locally, the chances are they will stop by each day. But other people have said that it does not make any difference.

SANDY DEVLIN

Culver City

A: Your question about the architect-contractor conundrum is a good one, but there is no pat answer. It depends on the scope of the project and your budget.

A tiny bathroom may not require the services of an architect. Any contractor who’s been in business for a long time should have some ideas to share. But the longer I visit homes and hear stories about modest or major remodels, the more convinced I am that architects are worth what they charge--usually 10% of the total cost of the project. They have incredible vision about how things can be--high windows to bring in soft light, curved counters that you never dreamed of, visual treats for your eyes.

But, as usual, it’s who you know or, more succinct, who you trust that counts. If you already know an awesome contractor, start there. The company will either have a designer on staff or suggest one. If a gifted architect is among your acquaintances, give him or her a call to start the process.

As for a contractor living nearby, that’s tough to gauge. The company’s office might be near your home, but if the supervisor lives in another town, what have you gained? You’re better off hiring the company with the most stellar reputation, no matter where it’s located. But if you’re planning on hiring a one-person company, with an owner who works out of his or her house, then proximity could be helpful.

Don’t do this: Don’t automatically eschew the services of an architect in order to save money. How much money have you saved if your finished project is without charm or style?

Do this: Find the contractor or architect with the best reputation for pulling off successful remodels--this will take some time and talking on your part--and start there.

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Got a remodeling question? Send it to Editor, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Or e-mail your question to real.estate@latimes.com. Please include your name, city and phone number.