IllustrationIn short
Start with what bothers you.
- Topic
- Kitchens
- Published
- By
- Collaborative Construction
Not every kitchen needs to be taken back to the walls. Some need new surfaces. Others have a problem no countertop will fix. Working out which kind you have is the most useful thing you can do before you ask for an estimate.
Collaborative Construction takes on both full kitchen remodels and partial updates, so this is a conversation we have often.
Key points
- A partial remodel keeps the layout and changes the surfaces.
- A full remodel can change the layout, the cabinets, and what is behind the walls.
- If the complaint is how the kitchen looks, partial is often enough.
- If the complaint is how it works, it usually is not.
- Countertops sit on cabinets, so the order of work matters.
Definitions
What each one means
A partial remodel keeps the layout and usually the cabinet boxes. It replaces what you see and touch: countertops, backsplash, cabinet doors through refacing, the sink and faucet, lighting, and hardware.
A full remodel takes the kitchen out and starts again. The layout can change, the cabinetry is new, plumbing and electrical are updated, and flooring and lighting are designed together as one room.
Which is yours
Signs that point each way
A partial remodel is likely enough if
- The layout suits the way you cook
- The cabinet boxes are solid and dry
- Your complaint is mostly about how the kitchen looks
- The sink and range are staying where they are
- The floor is in good shape or runs through other rooms
A full remodel makes sense if
- There is not enough counter space or storage
- The kitchen is closed off from the rest of the house
- The cabinets are damaged or worn out
- You want to move the sink, range, or island
- Plumbing or electrical needs updating anyway
Sequence
Why the order matters
Parts of a kitchen sit on each other. Countertops rest on the cabinets. The backsplash sits on the countertop. Flooring meets the cabinet base.
That means a decision about one layer commits you on the layers above it. New countertops on cabinets you plan to replace in a few years will have to come off again. If you are doing the work in stages, it helps to decide where the kitchen will end up before the first stage begins.
In between
The middle path
The choice is not strictly one or the other. Refacing most of the cabinets and adding a new island, or keeping the layout but replacing the cabinets along one wall, are common combinations.
Partial updates let you spend where it shows. If the budget is the constraint, we also offer financing options, which you can ask about during your free consultation.
Next step
How we help you decide
We begin with a free, no-pressure consultation at your home. We look at the cabinet boxes, the layout, and what is behind the complaint, and we talk through both routes so you can compare them.
Good to know
Common questions
01Can I replace countertops without replacing the cabinets?
Yes, if the cabinet boxes are solid, level, and staying. Countertops and backsplashes are among the partial kitchen updates we offer. If you expect to replace the cabinets within a few years, it is better to plan both together, because the countertops would have to come off again.
02Can a partial remodel make a kitchen look new?
Often, yes. New countertops, a backsplash, refaced cabinet doors, lighting, and hardware change everything you see. What a partial remodel cannot change is the layout or the amount of storage.
03Should the floor be replaced before or after the cabinets?
It depends on the floor and on whether the cabinet layout is changing. If cabinets are moving or being replaced, the floor and cabinets should be planned together so heights and edges meet. If the layout stays, flooring can often be replaced up to the existing cabinets.
Keep reading
Related pages
This article is general guidance for homeowners. Every home is different, and what suits yours is something to look at in person.
Planning a remodel?
Complete the form below or call us at (239) 295-8613 and one of our team members will be in touch to discuss your project and provide a free, no-obligation estimate.
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