Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Replacing cabinets AFTER countertops?

I have a quick question that I would love some input on. My wife and I are considering doing a remodel on our kitchen. The problem is, of course, money.

We both agree that the walls and countertops need replacing but we are at odds about the cabinets and they seem to be the major cost. I had one idea that she liked but we weren't to sure about its feasibility.

Could we replace the countertops now (with something nice like granite or Corianne) and do the cabinets in a few years? Naturally, I don't want to have to junk the countertop at that time. :D

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Dave

Seems like you would be paying an awful lot to do that, especially if you plan to do the cabinets in only a few years. You'd have to pay for initial install of the counters then removal and install again. Another problem is what if the new cabinets are longer, shorter, wider or thinner than your existing ones (especially a problem if you are replacing an island). You may not be able to reuse the countertop. And you would need to store the countertop somewhere in your house while the old cabinets are removed and the new ones are put in. Sounds like a big headache to me. :(

If you plan to do the cabinets in a few years and absolutely want to get rid of the counters now, I'd do a cheap laminate for now. It would be less costly than trying to reinstall granite.

Go to the local home depot or home store and look at the laminate samples...Many are made to look like real granite...laminate for now. Save money for later.

Hold off on kitchen remodel until you have saved enough $$ to do both cabinets and counters in the way you want. Replacing tops now and cabinets later may end up with your having to replace counters again. There are now so many options available for ending cabinets on the end of the runs that you don't want to tread those waters. For instance, your current end of a run ends with square cabinets. Today, most folks opt for angled cabinets at the end of the run. Hang tight. Save money. Do the whole project at once so it will guarantee that it will be a successful & happy project.

Since you will be remodeling in the not too distant future, and even if you weren't. I would like to suggest you have your existing countertops professionally coated with an incredibly durable granite like finish.

I am assuming that the counter are in decent condition and can be sprayed.


Look under bathtub refinishing in the phone book