cabinet refacing cost

Is cabinet refacing the biggest scam since snake-oil? I have a 7 by

10 foot kitchen in Manhattan. The cabinets are solid wood, unlike what

is made today. There are three wall cabinets, that is 6 doors, One

broom pantry with two doors, a counter that is 5 by 3 which has two

drawers and two compartments with four doors. Total of 12 doors, two

drawers and a counter. I have had quotes of from 5,500 to 10,000 for

materials and labor, cheap laminates and rtf doors. The retail cost

of materials online (which I checked myself) or at a home supply store

(I wish I could do it myself) is from 600 to 800 dollars. I have had

cancellations, been insulted outright, told buy now only now. asked

to pay parking fees told I could get a 10% to 20% discount today

only. You name it. It goes on and on. The big name stores are the

worst they subcontract, too many hands really drive the price up.

What are my options? What should this job really cost? Is anyone

reliable? I think paying 250 to 400 an hour for labor is insane.

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I started off as a cabinet refacing national franchise (Kitchen Solvers) in 1995 down here in Pensacola, FL. Although I no longer sell refacing, I have been an authorized subcontractor for that mall-based department store (they really SEER their customers...get it now?), plus a couple others that follow their business model, which is heavy advertising, outrageous prices, heavy-handed salesmen, easy financing.

Those kinds of business are definitely rip-offs. Stay the hell away from them. You'd have better luck with a local, one-man operation.

An alternative to refacing is RTA cabinets. They are cheap and built very well...depending on the importer. Stay away from surplus stores selling RTA cabinets. Theirs are crap from what I've seen.

You live in Manhattan which I'm sure is two or three times as expensive as Pensacola, so my prices are irrelevant.

My experience is that you could get the finest Made in USA new cabinets for what some of these refacing companies sell their crap for.

Good job on doing your research

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One more try? If you have several quotes (and you should) accept one that will do as he says and abide by his quote. (Yes you need to check BBB and refrences) But if you have done this then thats what the market forces dictate and thus you have recieved at least one fair quote. I see my effort to educate regarding the reality of costs for contractors fell on deaf ears.

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I am certainly not sure why you answered me. I am trying to ascertain a correct charge for this installation not receive comments on what plumbers and general contractors should or could get. Instead you advise me to get a reliable person and that a relative makes a lot of money doing this? I am aware that service people get paid. You must have missed the last part of this article.

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You really don't get it, and wont. A plumber charges $200 an hour. I complain about that but relise if I want good work and warranty I have to pay it. Also, my brother in law (contractor) makes about $100,000 a year charging those rates and serving New York City??? (I have sugested he move near me and charge less and make more but he won't listen) I really think you should either do it your self or hire somebody who is going to do what they say for the estimated amount.