It's not surprising then that some readers of the “San Francisco Chronicle” wanted advice on updating 1980s oak kitchen cabinets on the cheap. In a Q&A titled “Cheaper kitchen cabinet update needs DIY grease,” the newspaper's home expert offered several money-saving tips to these question-posing homeowners.

First, let's set the scene. The existing kitchen cabinets have been stained dark walnut. Although they look outdated, they are in good shape. The homeowners don't want to paint them because they “like a wood-grain look.” The homeowners have come up with three ideas of their own:

1. Replace the existing cabinets

2. Reface the kitchen cabinets

3. “Refinish the cabinets, replacing the doors and drawers with updated unfinished wood, sanding the existing cabinets, then staining the cabinets and the new doors/drawers with a new color”

The expert advisor concedes that the homeowners have “identified all the viable options.” Taking each one in turn, the author breaks each approach down into its overall cost to achieve the desired effect.

1. As far as replacing the existing kitchen cabinets, the answerer points out, “You'll get exactly what you want. But if cost is an object, this is priciest.” By doing it themselves, the homeowners also risk the possibility of breakage during that process, potentially increasing the cost.” A leading provider of services that include the installation of building products can help get the job done right without incurring any extra costs.

2. At the middle ground, the homeowners have been quoted a price of between $26,000 and $30,000. Presuming that price tag includes new doors and drawer fronts, the answerer agrees that “the price seems dear.”

3. When it comes to the final option, “Refinishing is not only realistic but downright cheap compared with the first two options – especially if you undertake the heavy lifting yourself by at least stripping the carcasses.” If you decide to go this route, consult with a reputable manufacturer of kitchen cabinets whose inventroy includes a selection of wood door styles, finishes, and decorative cabinet hardware. That way, you'll be able to achieve the look of new kitchen cabinets without completely starting from scratch.

Don't overlook the finishing details. “With all of the time and care you've invested in your cabinets, it would be a shame to reinstall their old, worn knobs, pulls and hinges,” the expert stresses. “You can easily replace the old cabinet hardware with new items, giving the kitchen a fresh look.”

If low cost is the prime motivating factor behind a kitchen cabinet upgrade, then refinishing is clearly the way to go. “It will cost a lot of time but it will save you a bunch of money, and you'll be repaid many times the cost when you see your work and think about the job well done,” the article concludes.