I have been asked to reface a kitchen. Face frames, drawer fronts, doors, hinges. It looks like materials will be around 600 dollars. How does one calculate labor or total cost to charge? I am not interested in doing it for the experience or for charity. But I don't need to retire after either...
Any rules of thumb so to speak out there?
Thanks,
Brad
There are a few ways to reface cabinets. For the finished ends and face frames you could use a peel and stick wood veneer (PSA...pressure sensitive adhesive). There is no gluing involved. There is no real need to do any routing, as a mill file can be used on the edges. This means minimum mess.
Using a mica backed veneer is one of the most expensive ways to do it, and it entails using contact cement, which will stink up the house. It entails using a router and that will make a lot of noise and a lot of mess. You will still need to use a mill file.
Or, you could use a paper backed veneer (you'll need contact cement), which you can pre-size with a straight edge and a utility knife, just like the peel and stick veneer. In any case, the veneer (whichever you use) will likely need to be finished. It may be just a natural film finish, or a stain and topcoat. I would suggest you figure on wipe on finishes, as doing any spraying in the house can be a real PITA.
As for the doors, depending on the type and whatever profile they are, you must figure enough time to strip/sand and refinish. Or, you can just order new doors and drawer fronts. Whatever finish they will be figure the time involved.
The job start to finish, if you are working alone, will take you longer than you think. If you are relatively new at this type of work I would allow at a minimum of a week. I would price out all the parts you have to buy. If you are new at this, and decide to charge by the hour, the time alone could overprice the job, compared to someone that has done this many times.
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