People assume that old cabinets need to go. It's a reasonable assumption — they look tired, maybe a door sags, a hinge has given up — and a new kitchen is an appealing idea. But replacement is almost always more expensive than repair, and often more disruptive than it needs to be. The question is whether repair is actually the right answer in your specific situation. Here's how to think through it.
Start With the Carcass
The cabinet carcass — the box itself — is what determines whether repair makes sense. If the carcass is structurally sound (not swollen from water damage, not delaminating, still square and properly fixed to the wall), then almost everything else is repairable. Doors, hinges, drawer runners, handles, and surfaces are all replaceable at a fraction of the cost of new cabinetry.
If the carcass is compromised — water damage that's caused board swelling, joints that have failed and can't be properly reglued, structural issues that mean cabinets are pulling off the wall — then repair is treating a symptom, not the problem. At that point, replacement is the honest answer.
What Can Be Fixed and for How Much
Broken or worn hinges
Replace with soft-close equivalent. Usually R350–R600 per hinge set. One of the most cost-effective repairs — bad hinges make the whole kitchen feel cheap.
Drawer runners that stick or fall off
Replace with full-extension soft-close runners. R400–R900 per drawer depending on size. Transforms drawer feel entirely.
Doors that won't close or sit skew
Usually a hinge adjustment or hinge replacement. Often fixable in a single visit for R300–R500 per door.
Chipped or scratched doors (surface damage only)
Repaint or replace the door. New replacement doors on an existing carcass are significantly cheaper than full cabinet replacement.
Water-damaged base cabinets (swollen board, delaminating)
If the damage is localised, that section can sometimes be rebuilt. If it's extensive, replacement is the better value.
Carcass that's out of square or pulling off the wall
Structural failure. Repair is usually not worth it — the work required approaches the cost of new cabinets without the lifespan benefits.
The Middle Option: Refacing
Between full repair and full replacement, there's refacing: keeping the existing carcass structure and replacing only the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. In Johannesburg homes where the cabinet boxes are solid, refacing can transform a kitchen for 25–40% of the cost of full replacement.
It's not the right answer everywhere — if you also want to change the layout, add an island, or significantly increase storage capacity, refacing won't help. But if you're happy with the layout and just want it to look and feel better, it's often the most cost-effective path.
Our Process: Look First, Recommend After
We don't push replacement when repair is the honest answer. We also don't push repair when the cabinet is past saving. The assessment comes first — a site visit where we look at the carcass, test the hinges and runners, check for water damage, and give you a genuine opinion on what makes sense economically.
If you're in Johannesburg or Pretoria and not sure whether to fix or replace, get in touch. We'll come and look and give you a straight assessment — and then a quote for whichever option makes sense.