Overview
Cabinets and countertops often make up a large share of a kitchen or bath remodel budget, and they define how the space looks and works. Cabinets come in stock, semi-custom and custom lines, with differences in available sizes, materials, finishes and lead times. Refacing or refinishing existing cabinets can be an alternative when the boxes are in good condition.
Countertop materials each have trade-offs. Quartz is engineered and consistent. Granite and other natural stones vary slab to slab. Solid surface materials can be repaired seamlessly. Laminate is budget-friendly. Butcher block adds warmth but needs maintenance. The right choice depends on how you cook, clean and live.
Countertops are typically templated after cabinets are installed, then fabricated and installed. Sinks and cooktops must be selected before templating.
What to expect, step by step
- Measuring the space and planning cabinet layout.
- Selecting cabinet construction, door style and finish.
- Choosing countertop material, edge profile and sink style.
- Installing cabinets level and secure.
- Installing hardware and adjusting doors and drawers.
What affects the outcome
- Lead times can be long for custom cabinets.
- Cabinet construction varies. Ask about box material and drawer construction.
- Seams are part of most countertops.
- Refacing can be a cost-effective option.
- Natural stone varies. View slabs if possible.
Local notes for Colorado's Front Range
Many Front Range homes were built during different eras, from early 1900s bungalows to postwar ranches and newer subdivisions, and remodel scope often depends on what is behind the walls. Local building departments set permit requirements.
We take inquiries from Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo.
Getting ready to reach out
- If you belong to an HOA, check whether it has rules about contractors, work hours or approvals.
- Have a budget range in mind, even a rough one, so a provider can suggest realistic options.
- Think about timing, including any dates you need the space usable, and whether you will live in the home during the work.
- Note the approximate age of the home. Older homes can involve outdated wiring, plumbing or materials that need special handling.
- Collect a few photos of the current space and any inspiration images you like, along with rough room dimensions.
When to keep looking
- Suggestions to skip permits on work that normally requires them.
- Unwillingness to provide license, registration or insurance information.
- No written contract describing scope, materials, schedule, payment terms and change-order process.
- A very large deposit requested before any work or ordering is scheduled.
- Vague answers about who will actually do the work and who supervises it.
What to ask before you commit
- What cabinet lines do you work with, and what are the lead times?
- How are your cabinets constructed?
- Will I be able to choose my own slab?
- What maintenance does this countertop material need?
- Is refacing an option for my cabinets?
Quick answers
- Is quartz better than granite?
- Each has different characteristics. Quartz offers consistency; granite offers natural variation.
- Can I keep my cabinets and change countertops?
- Often yes, if the cabinets are in good condition and level.
- What is cabinet refacing?
- Replacing doors and drawer fronts and covering the cabinet boxes with new veneer.
Related topics
- Design Consultations: What happens in a kitchen or bath design consultation, how to prepare, and questions to ask a designer or remodeler.
- Showers and Tubs: Shower and tub replacement options, from acrylic systems to custom tile, and questions to ask a bathroom contractor.
- Kitchen Remodels: How a kitchen remodel usually unfolds, the decisions that shape scope and budget, and questions to ask a remodeling contractor.