Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Reface/Replace

I need some words of wisdom about kitchen cabinets. I need new ones badly (one cupboard door on the sink base has all but fallen off!) but currently being a little financially embarrased, I need to do it as inexpensively as possible. I don't need fancy custom cabinets - I'd just like a white-bright-clean look. I guess refacing would be the best and least expensive option, except I'm quite sure I'd need to replace the sink base - it's in pretty rough shape, as well as all of the drawers, which have pretty much turned to sawdust inside, but the rest would probably be okay. Is it possible to replace just the sink base?

If I reface, the insides of the cabinets will need to be painted, so any good suggestions on the best way to do that would be appreciated as well.

Also, I've read some pretty bad reports about a certain popular home improvement store's reliability in cabinet installation so I'm wondering if it would it be a better idea to try and find an independent contractor (heaven help me on that process)!

And another thing, my counter type is probably okay, so can that be removed and re-used or is that a bad idea?

I've always been a DIY'er but I'm afraid this might be more than I want to tackle by myself and finding a good and trustworthy contractor is something in which I'm totally inexperienced.

Thanks for your advice!

If cabinets are not good quality, it would not be a good idea to invest in refacing. If doors are falling off and drawers are turning to saw dust as you describe, then there are no quick fixes. You can build new drawer boxes and replace sink base bottom with plywood. If doors are falling off because screw holes have become enlarged, you can fill the holes with wood dowels and screw the doors back on. Then, you can prep the cabinets for painting. There is a Sticky on the Painting Forum that provides instructions for painting cabinets.

Hi twelvepole! Thanks for your response. :)

I think your idea about replace the sink base floor with plywood is what I need to do. The rest of the cabinets seem to be fine. The doors and drawers are old and made from pressed board. The only door that's falling off is on the sink base. The pressed board has broken off where the bottom hinge is located. I think if I replace that sink base floor and put on new doors and drawers, refacing would be fine. I'll have to get a pro out here to take a look.

Thanks for your help.