In southern California, kitchen renovation is one of the most sound investments you can make when it comes to home improvement. Major kitchen remodeling generally recovers about 86 percent of construction costs in added property value, and minor kitchen remodels often recover over 90 percent. In San Diego, kitchen cabinet remodeling is an excellent place to start if you're looking to improve the functionality of your home, but since it is a minor kitchen renovation, it is also a good project for anyone who also wants to have a good return on their investment.
While the options for your kitchen as a whole are practically limitless, there are basically only four projects to consider for kitchen cabinet remodels. San Diego is, due to its incredibly mild and consistent weather, an excellent area for improvement projects of any kind, and whether you choose to paint, refinish, reface, or replace your cabinets, the So Cal climate all but guarantees that the process will be as fast and efficient as possible regardless of the time of year.
Common Upgrades for Kitchen Cabinets in San Diego
The easiest and least expensive way to spruce up the look of your cabinetry is, of course, to paint it. In most cases, this job can be done without the help of a professional, but painting a metal cabinet is different than painting a wood one, and some cabinets might not be good candidates for painting at all. For the best results, you might want to consult an experienced painter to make sure you purchase the proper paint, and use the proper priming techniques.
Refinishing is more expensive than painting, but is a good option for homes with hardwood kitchen cabinets. San Diego is not known for extreme temperatures or excessive precipitation, so wood, if it is properly cared for, can literally last a lifetime or more. The refinishing process involves sanding down the surface of the cabinets and exposing fresh wood that is then stained, if desired, and sealed. This will keep the structure of your kitchen exactly the same, but the cabinets will look brand new.
Re-facing is an option for most cabinetry. Basically, a brand new face is fixed to the outside of your existing cabinets. This creates a look that is showroom pristine, but doesn't involve any changes to the structure of the cabinets.
Replacing cabinets can get pretty expensive, especially if you opt for cabinets that are custom built, which, in itself, can easily run $6,000 or more. The big benefit here is that you can actually change how your kitchen functions in addition to making it look nicer. If storage has always been a problem, replacement can put everything you need within reach, and look good doing it, too.
Prices for San Diego Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling
The price of painting your cabinets obviously varies a great deal depending on who does the work and how good the job is supposed to look. You could probably do the job yourself for about $50, but if you want it to look good and last a long time, consult a pro and be prepared for a significantly hire bill. To refinish kitchen cabinets, San Diego residents should expect costs to start at around $2,500. Re-facing can easily run $7,000 or more, and replacement can go well above $10,000, especially if you want your cabinets custom built. 
Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.