Remodeling your kitchen is one of the biggest decisions that any homeowner makes. Beyond being a very expensive decision with costs often in the tens of thousands of dollars, the kitchen is an important family space where many families come together. The most important and most expensive aspect of any kitchen remodel is the cabinetry. By finding and installing used kitchen cabinets, you can do the whole remodel on a much more affordable budget.
The first question you are likely to ask yourself then, is where do I find used kitchen cabinets for my home?
The best place to start is the Internet, namely craigslist.com. Craigslist is a great way to find local used items at great discounts. Savvy homeowners doing their own remodeling will often put their old kitchen cabinets up for sale on craigslist.com. If they have already removed them, all you have to do is negotiate a price and bring them back to your home. Many homeowners, however, will ask that you do the removal yourself. This can be a great cost-saving measure for you and can be done by two people in one afternoon. Just be careful to preserve the cabinets when taking them out.
Another way to find used kitchen cabinets is by putting the word out with friends and family. Expanding your network will give you more opportunities to find people remodeling. If you have a personal connection with them, it's also very possible they will offer the cabinets to you for free or at a great discount. Once again, be willing to take the cabinets out yourself as that will save them the hassle of either doing it themselves or paying a contractor.
Two more options include contacting habitat for humanity and remodelers. Many Habitats for Humanity warehouses holds donation that you can use in your remodel so check your local area for them. Likewise, many remodelers will be willing to put your name down on a list. That way, next time they are going to have to tear out some cabinets, you can do the job for them and haul the cabinets away. It's a win-win.
Installation.
Once you have the cabinets, you will have to install them into your kitchen. Since most cabinets are specifically designed for the kitchen they are going into, you will have to get a little creative. Measure carefully and outline a blueprint for how you will get the cabinets into your kitchen.
The installation itself is probably best handed off to a handyman if you aren't very confident in your own abilities.
