Kitchen Cabinet Repair

Kitchen Cabinet Repair

What is realistic for a DIY kitchen cabinet repair? Assess the kitchen cabinet damage to determine the repair needed. If it has a small crack or hole, fill the damaged area with wood filler and let it dry. Then, sand it till it’s smooth. Realign and lubricate the tracks and rollers if it's a stuck drawer. Hide scratches with a stain-filled touch-up marker.

Kitchen cabinet door repair

Like any part of a home, kitchen cabinets can wear and damage over time: scratches, sticky drawers, water damage, loose hinges, holes, removed door knobs, and so many more. As a high traffic area, kitchen cabinets often need minor repairs to keep them working for years to come. 

Rather than immediately resorting to a costly cabinet replacement, you can often repair your kitchen cabinet with a little care and some materials from the local store. In this article, you will learn how to do many common kitchen cabinet repairs yourself and which handyman to hire if you choose to go the professional route.

Repairing a kitchen cabinet door

Here are some simple cabinet door repairs that you can handle yourself or with the help of a handyman.

Reattaching hinges

If a cabinet door has become loose or detached, you can reattach the hinges. Simply align the door with the cabinet frame and secure the hinges back in place using screws. If the screw holes are stripped, fill them with wood filler and re-drill new holes.

Adjusting misaligned doors

If your cabinet doors don’t align properly, look out for adjustment screws that allow you to raise, lower, or shift the door to achieve a better fit. This helps the doors close flush and operate smoothly. You can use a level to ensure that the doors are now in alignment. 

Fixing stuck drawers

If drawers are not closing properly, check for any obstructions or debris in the tracks. Clean the tracks and ensure that the drawer slides are in good condition. You can also apply lubricant to the roller and track to help it move smoothly.

If the track is damaged, you will need to replace it. By finding a serial number on the drawer track, you will be able to more easily order the perfectly matching replacement. 

Replacing door handles and knobs

You can easily replace your kitchen cabinet door handle or knob if it’s loose or broken. Remove the old handle by unscrewing it and then install a new one by following the manufacturer's instructions.

Filling in small cracks or holes

If your kitchen cabinet door has small cracks and holes, fill them with wood filler. Once the filler dries, sand it smooth and paint or stain it to match the surrounding area.

Adding bumpers

You can add rubber or felt bumpers to the inside of your cabinet doors to prevent them from slamming. This cushions the impact when doors close, reduces noise and overall wear and tear.

Handyman to repair cabinet door

All three types of contractors (cabinetmaker, carpenter, and handyman) can repair your cabinet door. However, a handyman cabinet repair service is the most cost-effective and efficient option for minor kitchen cabinet repairs. 

Handymen usually possess a solid background in basic carpentry. They can handle multiple small jobs, like fixing stuck drawers, replacing handles on your cabinet door, or adding bumpers to cushion the door’s impact when closed, all in one visit.

Cost to repair kitchen cabinet door

Simple cabinet door repair costs between $30 to $120 per hour. Filling in small cracks and holes will cost $50 to $100. In comparison, replacing door handles and knobs can cost between $5 and $30 per piece. If you hire a handyman, you will be charged between $50 and $100 per hour.

If you hire a handyman, you can expect to have simple cabinet repairs finished within an hour.

Kitchen cabinet frame repair

Generally, kitchen cabinet frame repairs are more significant projects that often require the expertise of a cabinet maker or carpenter to repair or partially replace them. 

Why do kitchen cabinet frames need repair?

Cabinet frames are damaged by water from leaks or spills over time, misuse from heavy items, wood-boring insects like termites, wear and tear, and even improper installation.

Let’s look at some of these damages in detail and the typical repair process for a kitchen cabinet frame. 

Water Damage

Water damage occurs from leaks, spills, or high humidity, leading to swelling, warping, and mold growth, particularly in cabinet frames near sinks.

Step 1: Identify the extent of water damage. Check for mold or rot. 

Step 2: Use fans or dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry the affected area.

Step 3: Cut out and replace warped or rotting sections if the wood is severely damaged.

Step 4: Apply a sealant or finish to protect against future moisture exposure.

Structural damage

Structural damage can arise from constantly placing heavy loads in the cabinet or impact, leading to cracks that compromise the integrity of the frame. In severe cases, an entire section of kitchen cabinet will need to be replaced. 

If damaged shelves need stabilizing, reinforce them by adding additional brackets or supports and replace damaged shelf pins to enhance stability.

Pest damage

Wood-boring pests, like termites or carpenter ants, can damage the structural integrity of cabinet frames.

Step 1: Identify the type of pest and the extent of the damage.

Step 2: Use the appropriate pest control methods based on the type of pest.

Step 3: Replace any severely damaged wood sections to restore the cabinet's structural integrity.

Misalignment

Misalignment can occur due to improper installation at the very beginning or settling of the house.

If you need to rehang doors, remove the door and adjust the hinges as necessary. If hinges are damaged, replace them, then rehang the door to ensure it swings properly.

If you need to readjust the cabinet hinges, tighten or loosen screws on the hinges to adjust the door’s position. If needed, use shims to level the cabinet frame and achieve proper alignment.

Cabinetmaker vs carpenter to repair kitchen cabinet frames

A cabinetmaker and a carpenter can do a great job repairing your kitchen cabinet frames. But which of them should you hire, especially with complex framing repairs? To clear the confusion, let’s look at both sides.

Firstly, a cabinetmaker specializes in building and repairing cabinets. They are specialists with a strong understanding of cabinetry design, finishes, and materials. 

On the other hand, a fine carpenter has a broader skill set that includes various woodworking projects. They handle structural repairs and are more versatile with other home projects. They would be a great resource for repairing cabinet doors or smaller frame concern.

However, a skilled cabinet craftsman is best for complex kitchen cabinet framing repairs.Complex framing repairs involve precise measurements and cuts. They also use intricate joinery techniques, such as dovetails or mortise-and-tenon joints. A skilled cabinet craftsman understands how to work with various woods, veneers, and finishes and can replicate existing styles to ensure that repairs blend seamlessly with the original design.

Cost of repairing kitchen cabinet frames

On average, the cost of repairing your kitchen cabinet frames ranges from as low as $50 to as high as $600. Below is a list of simple kitchen cabinet repairs and their costs if you hire a handyperson.

• Fixing stuck drawers: $50 to $100 per drawer
• Filling in small cracks or holes: $50 to $200
• Replacing door handles and drawer knobs: $5 to $30 per handle or knob (or $50 to $80 per hour)
• Loose hinges: $30 to $80 per hinge
• Repainting: $3 to $10 per square foot

Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing

Kitchen cabinet refinishing is the process of restoring and updating your kitchen cabinet’s appearance to new ones without replacing them entirely.

Kitchen cabinet repair and refinishing

Refinishing starts with an assessment. Evaluate the condition of the cabinets to determine whether refinishing is a viable option. Look for signs of damage, wear, or structural issues.

Next, use a degreaser or a gentle cleaner to thoroughly clean the cabinets to remove grease, dirt, and grime. Take off all cabinet hardware, including handles, knobs, and hinges, to prepare for refinishing. Then, lightly sand the cabinet surface to remove the existing finish and create a smooth surface for the new finish to adhere to. 

Depending on the desired look, you can stain or paint the cabinet. Staining enhances the natural wood grain, while painting uses regular paint to add a layer of coat to the wood. 

Once the stain or paint has dried, apply a protective sealant or topcoat to enhance durability and resistance to moisture and wear. After the finish has cured, reinstall the cabinet hardware you removed earlier.

Cost of kitchen cabinet refinishing

On average, kitchen cabinet refinishing costs between $4 and $15 per square foot. This brings the average cost for a small kitchen (150 - 250 square feet) to $600 - $3,750, for an average kitchen (250 - 400 square feet) to $1,000 - $6,000. A large kitchen (400 - 600 square feet) cabinet refinishing will cost upwards of $1,600 - $9,000.

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

What is cabinet refacing?

Refacing is the process of changing the face (look) of your cabinet without replacing the entire thing.To do this, you replace the old cabinet doors with new ones, change the handles and knobs, add additional shelves, pull-out trays, or lighting, and apply veneer to the visible exterior. 

Refacing is generally less expensive and takes less time than a full cabinet replacement. In addition, if you are big on sustainability, refacing reduces waste since it uses existing cabinet structures.

Refacing service to repair kitchen cabinets

Refacing is best done by a cabinet refacing specialist. These contractors specialize in refacing cabinets, replacing doors, applying veneers, and updating kitchen cabinet hardware.

You can find them on platforms like Angi or Costco’s reborn cabinets service.

Cost of kitchen cabinet refacing

The pricing for cabinet refacing is often quoted on a per-linear-foot basis and can vary significantly based on the materials used. 

• Laminate finish: $100 to $200 per linear foot
• Real wood veneer: $250 to $455 per linear foot

Kitchen cabinet repair options

You can tackle many kitchen cabinet repairs as DIY projects. However, it’s important to approach these tasks with care, as mistakes can sometimes worsen the initial problem. For example, improperly tightening the hinges can cause the doors to warp or even the hinges to break over time.

If you feel uncertain about the repairs or if your kitchen cabinet has major damage, hire a professional handyman. Make sure they are licensed, experienced, vetted, and insured. Also, read through reviews to give you insight into their quality of work.

We recommend checking out Angi if you want to hire a handyman for your kitchen cabinet repair. You can expect fully equipped, background-checked professionals and say goodbye to the surprise fees and hidden costs that most platforms have.