When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, cabinets are the heavy hitters—literally and financially. Whether you’re dealing with chipped doors from the 1980s or particleboard boxes that gave up years ago, one question always looms: should you replace your kitchen cabinets, reface them, or go fully custom?
Design Build Specialists, a custom cabinet expert in Marin, helps North Bay homeowners figure out the smartest, most budget-savvy route to a kitchen they’ll still love ten years down the line. Their design-build process skips the usual remodeling headaches and starts with real-world planning—budget, functionality, and building code included.
Cabinet upgrades aren’t just about looks—they’re a major investment in the comfort, resale value, and long-term durability of your home. So if your kitchen is due for an upgrade, this breakdown will help you decide: reface, replace, or go all-in with custom cabinetry?
Replacing Cabinets: When the Old Stuff Just Needs to Go
Let’s be blunt: sometimes the existing cabinets are beyond saving. Maybe they’re sagging, water-damaged, or built so poorly that the drawers stick every time the fog rolls in. If your boxes are in bad shape—or the layout itself is driving you crazy—replacement is the logical choice.
Signs You Should Replace Your Cabinets:
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Cabinets are warped, split, or moldy
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You’re planning a major kitchen layout change
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Drawer hardware is failing and can’t be salvaged
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You’re swapping appliances and need better fit and flow
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The cabinets are made of low-grade particleboard (they never age well)
Replacing gives you a clean slate and the chance to choose better materials, smarter storage, and a layout that works for how your family actually uses the space. For homeowners doing more than a cosmetic refresh, full cabinet replacement often ends up saving time and money in the long run.
Design Build Specialists simplifies this by coordinating layout, electrical, plumbing, and cabinetry into a single streamlined plan. There’s no back-and-forth between designers, contractors, and fabricators. Just one team making sure the cabinets go in right—once.
Refacing Cabinets: A Smart Option for Solid Bones
Refacing is like giving your kitchen a wardrobe change. Instead of replacing the entire cabinet box, refacing swaps out the doors, drawer fronts, and veneer. If your existing layout works and the structure is solid, it can be a cost-effective way to update the look without gutting the whole room.
Ideal Scenarios for Refacing:
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Cabinet boxes are in good structural condition
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You like your current layout and don’t need more space
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You’re keeping your countertops, flooring, and backsplash
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Budget is a concern but quality still matters
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The kitchen isn’t very old—but it looks dated
One thing homeowners often miss? Refacing doesn’t fix bad layout or cheap cabinet construction. If your boxes are flimsy, crooked, or poorly anchored, covering them with pretty faces won’t solve the real problems.
Still, when it’s appropriate, refacing can cut remodeling costs by 30–40%. It also reduces project downtime and disruption. Design Build Specialists helps determine if refacing is a smart move during their feasibility study—so you don’t waste time or money polishing something that should be replaced.
Custom Cabinets: When You Want It Built to Fit (Not Forced to Fit)
Custom cabinets are exactly what they sound like—designed from scratch to fit your kitchen’s dimensions, your storage needs, and your design goals. They’re not pulled from a warehouse, and they don’t rely on awkward filler panels or forced compromises.
Why Custom Makes Sense:
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You want storage tailored to how you cook and live
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Your kitchen has unusual dimensions or obstructions
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You want high-end finishes, hardware, or functional inserts
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You’re building an entirely new layout
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You want cabinets that last decades—not years
Custom isn’t just about luxury. It’s about precision and performance. In older homes across Marin and Sonoma Counties, where nothing is level and walls don’t follow the rules, custom cabinetry means fewer headaches—and less trim hiding awkward gaps.
Homeowners working with Design Build Specialists benefit from cabinet plans that are baked into the overall remodel design. The cabinets aren’t just dropped into a space—they’re engineered to make the space work. That’s especially critical in kitchens where storage, traffic flow, and visual balance need to be carefully orchestrated.
Budget Breakdown: What to Expect with Each Option
Budget drives every remodel. So let’s get real about what each path typically costs in Marin and Sonoma.
| Cabinet Option | Typical Cost Range | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refacing | $10,000–$20,000 | 1–2 weeks | Good bones, same layout, quick upgrade |
| Full Replacement | $20,000–$35,000+ | 3–5 weeks | Damaged cabinets, layout changes, midrange remodel |
| Custom Cabinets | $30,000–$60,000+ | 5–8 weeks (build + install) | High-quality remodels, unique kitchens |
These numbers reflect quality work—not the bargain-basement stuff you find at big box stores. And remember, cost isn’t just about materials. It’s about design, installation, function, and how well your kitchen performs for the next 20+ years.
Every cabinet project with Design Build Specialists begins with a feasibility study. It’s where layout, storage needs, finish preferences, and long-term value are reviewed side-by-side with your actual budget. That’s how they keep projects on track and prevent the dreaded mid-build, “Wait, this isn’t what we thought we were paying for” conversation.
The Marin & Sonoma Difference: Remodeling Where the Rules Are Tighter
Remodeling in the North Bay isn’t like remodeling anywhere else. Here, there are stricter codes, older homes, tricky slopes, and more hoops to jump through to pull permits. Kitchen remodels that ignore local regulations or cut corners with cabinetry (yes, cabinets are inspected) can come back to bite hard.
Design Build Specialists brings decades of Marin and Sonoma County experience to every remodel. They know how to handle:
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Seismic compliance and anchoring
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Energy code updates tied to kitchen remodels
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Ventilation and lighting code integration
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Accessibility requirements for aging-in-place layouts
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Matching existing woodwork or trim styles in older homes
Their local knowledge means smoother inspections, faster permits, and no wasted materials—or time. And for clients trying to keep their project stress low and resale value high, that’s worth its weight in plywood.
Curious about how other North Bay homeowners handled their remodels? Check out Design Build Specialists’ reviews and photos of real kitchens that made the right cabinet call—and got the results to prove it.
About Design Build Specialists
Design Build Specialists has helped Marin and Sonoma County homeowners simplify remodeling with a practical, proven approach to design and construction. From whole-home remodels and kitchens to ADUs and specialty projects, they’re known for combining decades of on-the-ground experience with modern tools like 3D visualization and detailed feasibility studies.
Their integrated design-build process replaces the typical multi-vendor chaos with a single expert team that handles every step—from initial plans through final paint. With deep knowledge of local codes, smart budgeting, and a commitment to long-term quality, Design Build Specialists is shaping the future of remodeling in the North Bay—one smart decision at a time.
