A kitchen renovation in St Kilda doesn’t always mean every cabinet has to go. Sometimes sound carcasses can stay while the doors, hinges or benchtop are changed. In other kitchens, moisture damage or a new layout makes keeping them a false economy. This guide explains how Ivan Bodnar looks at existing cabinetry during an on-site assessment, and what the keep-or-replace decision depends on.
Reference photo: work around existing upper cabinetry, with the rest of the room protected.
Sometimes. It depends on the cabinet, not the kitchen as a whole. One run may be worth keeping while the sink cabinet next to it needs replacing.
CONDITION
MOISTURE DAMAGE
FIT WITH NEW FINISHES
The free on-site assessment, then set out in the written quotation.
These are the boxes that carry everything else. They’re worth keeping when they are square, firmly fixed and dry, with sound panels and shelves. They’re worth replacing when panels have swollen, edges have lifted or a box no longer suits how the kitchen needs to work.
Fronts are the most visible part, and often the easiest to change on their own. New fronts only make sense if the carcasses behind them are sound and the openings suit the new doors and drawers.
Sagging doors and sticking drawers are a common reason a kitchen feels tired. Hardware can often be adjusted or replaced, but it has to suit both the existing carcass and any new fronts.
Benchtops are checked for damage around the sink and cooktop, for level, and for how they meet the splashback. A new benchtop can affect the splashback, the cut-outs and the service connections.
Water damage tends to show first in the sink cabinet and the units next to the dishwasher. Look for swollen panels, a soft or stained base, lifting edges and a musty smell. Damage there can run into the wall or floor behind it.
Putting new doors or a new benchtop onto a carcass before checking for moisture, a suitable substrate, access to services and any underlying damage can lead to rework you could have avoided. That’s why Ivan looks behind and underneath before suggesting what to keep.
An inspection can’t reveal every concealed issue. Some damage only shows when a cabinet comes off the wall. Where that’s a real possibility, the quotation says so plainly rather than assuming the best case. For more, read What May Be Behind the Cabinets and Surface Preparation & Suitable Materials.
Ivan is an independent sole trader. He doesn’t claim builder registration or trade licences. Licensed plumbing and electrical work is carried out by appropriately authorised specialists. See who does what.
01 HOW THE KITCHEN NEEDS TO WORK
Storage, bench space and cleaning come first. A sound cabinet in the wrong place doesn’t solve an awkward kitchen.
02 THE EXISTING CONDITION
Each run is checked for fixings, square, moisture and wear, so you can see what’s worth reusing and what needs replacing.
03 FIT WITH NEW FINISHES & LAYOUT
Kept cabinets have to suit the new fronts, benchtop, splashback and flooring. If the sink moves or power is added, cabinets may need to move too. Read Can You Keep the Existing Kitchen Layout?
04 IN WRITING
The written quotation sets out what is proposed to stay, what comes out and what is still uncertain. Scope depends on the inspection, and no quote is given without one.
☐ Doors that sag or drawers that stick
☐ Swelling, staining or softness under the sink
☐ Where storage or bench space runs out
☐ Whether you’re planning to move the sink, cooktop or appliances
☐ Any owners corporation rules, if you live in a flat (see Apartment Kitchens)
When you’re ready, request a kitchen renovation quote and Ivan will review your enquiry before you arrange the on-site assessment.
