Hey there, folks. Bryce here.
So you’re standing in your kitchen right now, looking around thinking “this place needs some love but I don’t have fifty grand lying around.” I get it. Been there.
And then you start googling and you see **kitchen facelift** and **kitchen refacing** thrown around like they’re the same thing. Spoiler alert: they’re not. Let me break it down for you real quick.
## What’s Kitchen Refacing?
Okay so refacing is basically when you:
– Replace your cabinet doors completely
– Swap out drawer fronts
– Sometimes add a veneer to the cabinet boxes
– Keep the same layout (this is important)
Think of it like… putting a new suit on the same body. The bones stay the same, but everything you see gets replaced. Takes about 3-5 days usually. Not bad.
## What’s a Kitchen Facelift Then?
Now a facelift – that’s different. And honestly? It might be exactly what you need.
A kitchen facelift is more like:
– **Painting** or refinishing what you already have
– Updating hardware (handles, knobs – the jewelry of your kitchen)
– Maybe some minor repairs here and there
– Sometimes includes new splashbacks or benchtops
It’s faster. It’s cheaper. And here’s the kicker – sometimes it looks just as good.
## The Real Difference That Matters
Look, I’m gonna be straight with you. The main differences come down to three things:
**1. Money**
Refacing? You’re looking at maybe 40-60% of a full renovation cost.
Facelift? More like 20-30%. Sometimes less.
**2. Time**
Refacing needs those 3-5 days I mentioned. Multiple tradies in your house.
A facelift? Could be done in 1-2 days. Sometimes just a long weekend.
**3. The End Result**
Here’s where people get confused. Both can look amazing. I’ve seen facelifts that blow full renovations out of the water. It’s all about the execution.
## So Which One Do You Need?
Ask yourself:
– Are your cabinets structurally sound? (If yes, lean towards facelift)
– Do you HATE your cabinet style? (If yes, maybe refacing)
– What’s your real budget? (Be honest)
– How long can you live without a kitchen?
The team at Kitcab here in Melbourne? They specialize in facelifts. And honestly, for most people reading this, that’s probably what you need. Your cabinets are probably fine – they just look tired.
## My Two Cents
I’ve watched too many people spend unnecessary money on full refacing when a good facelift would’ve done the job. It’s like… why buy a new car when yours just needs a paint job and some new tires?
The Kitcab crew knows this stuff inside out. They’ll tell you straight if a facelift will work or if you need something more. No BS. Just honest advice.
Give them a ring on **0470 481 135** if you want to chat about it. Or shoot them an email. They’re good people.
Bottom line? Both options beat living with a kitchen you hate. And both beat spending your kids’ college fund on a full reno.
Choose smart. Your wallet (and your sanity) will thank you.
-Bryce
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