Kitchen Cabinet Replacement: Timeline and Cost

Kids scarf down breakfast in the kitchen before school. You sip your morning coffee, scrolling your phone at the kitchen island. In your kitchen, you cook, bake, wash dishes, do art projects, have conversations, and make memories. And the meat and potatoes (pun intended!) of your kitchen are your cabinets. Outdated, dark, dingy cabinets can really put a damper on the vibe of your kitchen.

Replacing old kitchen cabinets can transform the atmosphere of your kitchen, making it a joyous central hub of your home once again.

For over four decades, JSB Home Solutions has been remodeling Central Ohio kitchens. We are experts in replacing kitchen cabinets and are ready to share our knowledge with you. Whether you work with JSB on your kitchen project or not, after reading this article you will feel confident in your understanding of kitchen cabinet replacement and if it is right for your home.

Here, we will discuss:

• Parts of a Kitchen Cabinet
• What is Kitchen Cabinet Replacement?
• Timeline of Kitchen Cabinet Replacement
• Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Replacement 

Parts of a Kitchen Cabinet

While the anatomy of a kitchen cabinet has many parts, kitchen cabinet replacement only requires you to know one term: cabinet box. The cabinet box is the structural part of the cabinet that holds all the other pieces (shelves, drawers, drawer glides, etc.). 

Lower cabinets are usually referred to as “base cabinets.” They sit on the floor and support the countertop.  Appliances sit next to or between base cabinets. 

Cabinets that are hung on the wall above the countertop and backsplash are called “wall” or “upper” cabinets. 

With our terminology in place, you are ready to explore kitchen cabinet replacement.

What is Kitchen Cabinet Replacing?

Replacing kitchen cabinets involves removing the entire existing cabinet, box and all, and replacing them with brand-new cabinets.

It’s important to note that replacing kitchen cabinets will not include major structural or layout changes to your kitchen. You can add new cabinetry as space allows, change a cabinet with doors to stacked drawers, or use taller wall cabinets that go to the ceiling where they didn’t before. You cannot change the overall layout of your kitchen. That is reserved for design/build, also called custom, remodel projects.

Your kitchen will look empty with cabinets removed and the space opened up to the walls. But this blank canvas lets you run wild with the possibilities of your new kitchen.

Because you are starting with a blank slate and all new materials, project time and cost are usually higher than other renovation methods, like kitchen cabinet refacing. That being said, increased timelines and costs are often a worthy investment for many homeowners depending on the goals of their kitchen renovation.

Timeline of Replacing Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinet replacement varies depending on the size of the project and the scope of work. Replacing kitchen cabinets will take at least two and a half to three weeks. Longer projects can easily reach the four to five-week mark.

As an example, here at JSB, our kitchen replacement process goes like this:

1. Remove old cabinets: Our crew will remove the old cabinets from the walls. You can choose to keep the cabinets or we will dispose of them for you.
2. Install new cabinets: The new cabinets will begin to be installed in your home. Once base cabinets are set, the countertop company will measure for countertops and begin to fabricate the stone. This process takes about 5 days.
3. Measure and fabricate countertop: JSB almost always coordinates with the countertop company, Columbus Granite. Columbus Granite will come out and measure for your new countertops. They will fabricate and cut the stone in their facility and then bring it out to install. This process takes about 5 days.
4. Set up temporary sink: While stone is being fabricated and cut, we will put the old countertops or plywood on the new cabinets and hook up a temporary sink so that you will still have a functioning kitchen. When you meet with contractors, ask if they will do a temporary sink for you. This is not a standard practice and most companies will just tell you that you will be without a kitchen for the entirety of the project.
5. Install backsplash: Once the countertop has been installed, the crew will put in your new backsplash. This happens after the countertop so that the backsplash and countertop meet seamlessly.
6. Complete finish items: The crew will complete all outstanding to-dos to give you your fully functional, fully renovated kitchen. This includes hooking up the new plumbing, garbage disposal, faucet, etc. 

Badabing! You have a gorgeous new kitchen with all-new cabinets! The next consideration is how big a dent this new kitchen puts in your wallet.

Cost of Replacing Kitchen Cabinets

The cost of your replacement kitchen project is determined mainly by the cabinet choices and features you select for your kitchen. As a reference, most full replacement remodels with JSB will cost around $35,000 to $50,000.

A full kitchen remodel at JSB typically includes all new cabinets, all new countertops, a new sink and faucet, and a new backsplash. Other elements like lighting can also be completed.

While not a cost through your contractor, you will also have to decide if you are replacing appliances. During a renovation is a great time to upgrade appliances since your kitchen will already be under construction and if you need a couple more inches to fit that new fridge, you can account for that in your new cabinets.

Many factors influence the cost of kitchen renovations. The size of the project, features chosen for the cabinets, as well as what other pieces of the kitchen that are being remodeled will all influence the bottom line of your project.

Is Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Right for My Project?

Your kitchen used to be the lifeblood of your home. But its appeal has faded and it’s just not a pleasure to be in. In the busyness that is life, you want your kitchen to feel like a safe haven for your family to reconnect and unwind.

Replacing your kitchen cabinets could be the solution to your woes. If you are unsure if longer timelines and higher costs of cabinet replacement will be a worthy investment for your kitchen project, you should consider all the pros and cons of kitchen cabinet replacement and refacing as you prepare for your dream kitchen.

Kitchen cabinets are only one piece of a kitchen renovation. Backsplash, lighting, and countertops are just a few of the other kitchen renovation components to consider when planning your kitchen project.