A kitchen is called the heart of a home and there’s a reason for it. It is the epicenter of family life. The kitchen is not only the place where you cook and eat your daily meals but also celebrate good holidays, entertain guests, and spend memorable moments with your family & friends. The style and design of your kitchen cabinets hold the utmost importance because it is one of the first things that people notice and remember long after they visit your home. So, if your kitchen cabinets are already giving an old and worn look, it’s time to update their look.
Typically, there’s a lot of dreaming, planning, and analyzing that happens before you decide to update your kitchen cabinets. During this decision-making process, ask yourself a lot of questions about what you’d like the finished space to look like.
Basically there are two popular options: remodel kitchen cabinets or replace them altogether. Whether you're planning to remodel your kitchen cabinets or replace them, deciding what to do about your cabinetry is one of the biggest decisions that should not be made on the spur of the moment.
In this process, the existing kitchen cabinets and hardware are removed. Afterward, you have to set and precisely level your base cabinets. It’s critical to ensure that the counters are leveled rightly so that things don’t roll. If the base is not leveled properly, this might result in counters cracking down after some time and use. The new cabinet doors & hardware are reinstalled and wall cabinets are then hung.
Replacing kitchen cabinets is less difficult than remodeling them. Cabinet replacement is majorly about leveling base cabinets and partially about lifting heavy wall cabinets. Professional installers can do a better job than you but you can perform this procedure yourself as well.
Replacing your kitchen cabinets can cost up to $10,000 to $40,000 which includes budget cabinets and contractor-grade. This process is expensive as compared to remodeling and is dependant on size and needs.
It takes up to 1 to 2 days to completely replace the kitchen cabinets.
It is less eco-friendly than remodeling. Much of your kitchen cabinet parts like boxes and hardware get landfilled. However, it's possible to donate your cabinets to recycling yards to reduce waste.
Here are some reasons to decide upon replacing your existing kitchen cabinets for a new kitchen. Let’s have a look:
Do you have cabinets that are cheaply built and now falling apart? Is your main cabinet box is in such poor condition that it will not sustain any new holes drilled for mounting hardware? Are there signs of metal rust on them? If your cabinets are facing these issues, it’s better to replace them. Remodeling such cabinets just to save them is not practical or cost-effective. The last thing you want is to start your remodeling kitchen cabinets project then learn halfway through that you would have preferred to have chosen new kitchen cabinets instead.
One of the important things that you might ignore until it’s time to change your kitchen cabinets; are the structural issues in your kitchen. When floors begin to settle, this results in wall shifting and cause problems like doors not closing properly or cabinets sitting crocked. In such situations, remodeling your existing cabinets will not solve the problem. You’ll have to remove your old cabinets completely to have a long-lasting solution to structural issues.
Water can be harmful to the structural integrity of your kitchen cabinets. It not only decreases their lifespan, function, and durability but also raises health concerns caused by mold and mildew. If your existing cabinets look swollen, have softwood, or show dark spots on the wood, you need to consider replacing them with new cabinets.
If you are not satisfied with your kitchen floor plan and want to transform it into an advanced layout, remodeling the kitchen cabinets will not work in your case. By replacing all the cabinets, you get more control over your kitchen layout and can design the kind of style that meets your specifications. Refreshing your kitchen can completely transform and update it.
Do you feel like your kitchen cupboards are always overflowing? Do you find it hard to store your utensils, food, or electrical appliances in the kitchen? If yes, you have two solutions: dispose of certain items or create more storage capacity. You can add more storage capacity to your kitchen by installing new cabinets without disturbing your existing kitchen layout.
You might have heard a real estate broker saying that the state of your kitchen matters a lot while choosing a property. If you are planning to put your house on sale shortly, it’s in your best interest to replace the old kitchen cabinets with the new ones. This will greatly increase the value of your property.
Unlike remodeling old cabinets, brand new cabinets will just be brand new. If your cabinetry is worn & torn and showing signs of deterioration, remodeling those doors will not fix that. It’s just like putting new doors on an old car. Therefore, replacing those destroyed cabinets with new ones will save you from all the rusting or structural issues thus offering a long-term cost-saving solution.
Maybe you want to add more cabinets in your kitchen or you want to have a large sink. Whatever the case, custom cabinets can provide you a lot of flexibility. When you go with the decision of replacing your old cabinetry, you get the freedom to choose all the customization ranging from floor layout to door style. You can design cabinets according to your specifications and create a more functional kitchen for your family.
Cabinet remodeling is essentially the replacement of the “skin” of the cabinet. It revolves around installing new drawer fronts & doors and applying a new veneer over the existing surface of the cabinet body.
Well, it’s difficult. There are companies and online stores that sell remodeling material to the general public but cabinet remodeling requires some specific tools and techniques that most of the DIYers don’t have.
When remodeling your kitchen cabinets consider a budget from up to $4,000 to $10,000 which is approximately 30 to 40% less than the cost of replacing all the kitchen cabinets. It is our opinion that this is a non-cost-effective solution especially for those who are working on a tight budget. Why? The footprint of the original kitchen is not changed when remodeling. In today's modern world ergonomics along with new design techniques can truly transform the entire look of your home. Henceforth, increasing the value of your home far greater than when remodeling.
It takes up to 2 to 4 days on average to fully remodel your kitchen cabinets.
Yes, it is extremely eco-friendly. The only items that get thrown out are cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
Who doesn't want new cabinets? If your budget allows for it, new cabinets can give your kitchen long-lasting value for your enjoyment and resale.
However, if money is an issue even replacing your countertops from laminate to stone can make a world of difference whether you are keeping or selling your home. Installing a new set of kitchen cabinets is the best way to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your new kitchen.
Kitchen & Bath World – Best Go to Place for Kitchen Cabinets in Kitchener!
Kitchen & Bath World is an online website that can solve all your kitchen renovation issues. Our Pre-cut Modular kitchens are trending as the #1 kitchen replacement choice in Canada and abroad.
We sincerely hope this article has helped you to make an educated decision about the best option for your kitchen. Pick up the phone and book an appointment with one of our designers to get started on your project right away. We can help you out with either option but we would be lying if we said we didn’t prefer full cabinet replacement projects.
If you are still unsure, we also encourage you to book an appointment to consult with our in house kitchen design specialist Chelsea. Kitchen & Bath World offers personalized advice on what is absolutely the best fit for you; based on our expert opinion and 25+ years of experience.
Feel free to give us a call at (519) 744-BATH [2284] to discuss your kitchen cabinet remodel or replacement project today.
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Answers to your renovation questions
Replace your cabinets when the boxes are structurally failing — swollen, water-damaged, rusting hardware, or sitting crooked from a settling floor — or when you want a new layout. Remodel or reface only when the boxes are sound and you just want a fresh look. The box condition is the deciding factor. Our refacing vs. replacing guide walks through how to assess yours.
Usually yes — cheaply built particle-board boxes can't hold new hardware screws, swell when exposed to moisture, and won't last another renovation cycle, so rebuilding on them rarely pays off. Kitchen & Bath World builds replacement kitchen cabinets from solid maple with no MDF or particle board, so they hold up for decades. Learn the difference in our solid maple vs. MDF guide.
Yes — the kitchen is one of the first things buyers judge, and new cabinetry strongly influences how a home shows and sells. Replacing worn, dated cabinets is one of the higher-return renovation moves, especially before listing. Solid, quality construction signals a well-maintained home. For where to focus your budget, see our guide to increasing home value with a kitchen renovation.
The on-site installation of new cabinets typically takes one to two days once they arrive, though the full project — design, building the cabinets, and countertop templating — runs several weeks before install day. Replacing is actually faster on-site than a piecemeal remodel. Kitchen & Bath World handles design, build, and installation in-house. Start with a free design consultation to get a timeline for your kitchen.
It's possible — cabinet replacement is mostly about leveling the base cabinets correctly and safely hanging heavy wall cabinets — but level is critical, because an uneven base can crack countertops later. Professional installers get a cleaner, longer-lasting result, especially with stone tops involved. If you'd rather not risk it, browse finished examples in our project gallery and let our team handle the install.
Replacement is less eco-friendly than refacing because old boxes and hardware often end up in landfill — but you can reduce waste by donating sound cabinets to a ReStore or recycling yard. Choosing solid maple cabinets that last decades also means you replace far less often than with disposable particle board. If your boxes are still solid, refacing keeps more material in use — compare both in our refacing vs. replacing guide.
Have more questions? We’re here to help.
Come see the cabinets and finishes in person at 899 Victoria St N, Kitchener — or fill out the form and our team will get back to you about your kitchen or bath project.
Answers to your kitchen renovation questions
Simply fill out our online form or call us during business hours. We’ll schedule a visit or in-showroom consultation at your convenience.
We provide kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, countertops, and accessories. All products are available in a range of styles and finishes.
Yes, we work with both homeowners and contractors across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph.
Absolutely. Visit us at 899 Victoria St N, Kitchener, ON. No appointment needed during business hours.
All cabinetry and countertops come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Details are provided at purchase or upon request.
Most kitchen or bath projects are completed within 2–4 weeks after final measurements and product selection.
Need more information? We’re here to help.
