Cabinet Project Planning Guide

1. Record what you have

• Cabinet box material and visible condition
• Door and drawer-front material
• Existing finish or surface covering
• Loose hinges, damaged doors, failing drawers, or moisture concerns
• Areas that must remain unchanged

2. Define the result you want

• Keep the existing layout
• Change the color or sheen
• Replace doors and drawer fronts
• Repair damaged components
• Add or modify storage
• Coordinate hardware, counters, backsplash, or flooring

3. Compare the right project type

• Painting: sound surfaces need a new painted finish
• Refinishing: existing components can be renewed
• Refacing: boxes stay while visible doors and fronts change
• Repair: localized hardware, component, finish, or moisture damage is addressed
• Custom work: the project requires new or modified cabinetry

4. Require a complete proposal

• Included doors, fronts, boxes, ends, interiors, trim, and hardware
• Cleaning, preparation, repair, primer, and finish steps
• Named products and manufacturer instructions
• Access, containment, ventilation, and cleanup responsibilities
• Change-order process and exclusions
• Inspection and care instructions at handoff

5. Ask before approving

• What condition could change the recommended scope?
• How will adhesion or material stability be verified?
• Which parts will be removed, repaired, replaced, or left in place?
• What must cure before normal use resumes?
• Who handles hidden damage or work outside the written scope?

Project notes