DIY – Can I Do This?
Should I do this?
DIY can be incredibly rewarding—there’s nothing quite like stepping back and saying, “I made that!” But replacing cabinet doors isn’t a paint-by-numbers project. It’s never simple. Between measuring, layout decisions, tool skills, and finishing techniques, there’s a lot that can go wrong—and a lot that needs to go right.
That’s why the first step isn’t cutting wood—it’s asking yourself: Can I do this? Should I do this?
Whether you’re upgrading existing cabinet doors, customizing IKEA cabinets, or planning a full kitchen transformation, this guide will help you think it through. If you’re ready to tackle it, we’ll show you how. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll help you connect with a cabinet pro who can make it happen.
Project Goals
DIY Cost
Skill Level Required
I want to KEEP my existing door, fronts and drawers.
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
$2,000
Novice
I will REPLACE my doors and fronts, and drawers.
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
$8,000
Novice
I will REPLACE my doors, and fronts, and drawers- and I will paint.
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
$8,000
Intermediate
I NEED to add or remove cabinetry, change my layour, etc.
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum
$15,000
Advanced
Novice -
Novice -
If you are comfortable painting rooms in your house, assembling items such as a BBQ, kid’s toys, small appliances, using the enclosed instructions, then you have the competency to remove and install new doors and drawer fronts.
Tools needed will be a Tape Measure, Screw Drivers, Bubble Level, Cordless Drill, and box knife. CabDoorDirect provides video links and pdf instructions in our Knowledge Library to help you. Being a Novice remodeler, if you want to change the color of your kitchen end panels, tall panels, fillers, and toe kick from white, you’ll need to paint these components to match your new door color. Changing them out for new finished matching parts in an Intermediate Level project. We can provide the Sherwin-Williams color code so you can purchase the paint locally.
Intermediate –
Replacing doors, drawer fronts, pulls/knobs and cabinet end panels, fillers, and toe kicks is in your wheelhouse.
If you are comfortable replacing electrical outlets & switches, installing lighting and plumbing fixtures, assembling IKEA and Wayfair furniture, can follow conceptual instructions, and look stuff up on YouTube to figure out what you don’t know. You will use your current parts in some cases as templates to cut the new parts with a straight edge for guiding the saw.
A powered circular saw and/or jig saw, and some power hand tools will be required, so you should be comfortable using them. In addition to the novice tools required, you will need Quick Clamps (4 or 5 of them), 3-ft bubble level, carpenter’s, framing & combination square, caulk gun for adhesives, and countersink drills/bits..
Experienced –
Taking on a Kitchen Cabinet project, re-dooring or installing new cabinets is well withing your abilities, if you do your own home repairs and remodeling whenever possible. You are probably comfortable figuring out what you don’t know on new projects.
You are probably very comfortable with power tools, maybe a woodworking hobbyist. You have taken on some major remodel projects in the past and are confident in your abilities based on past experience and your abilities to figure stuff out.
You will need a variety of power tools as well as a sliding chop saw and/or table saw for cutting molding & toe kicks and ripping fillers to width. Pneumatic nail guns will be needed for installing moldings as well as the power and hand tools listed above. You may even use the 'new' project to justify buying more tools to your spouse.
Novice
I am comfortable with-
Tape measure
Clamps
Power Drill
Level
Jig Saw
Chop Saw
Other tools?
Project Examples
If you are comfortable with these projects, than you have the competency to remove and install new doors and drawer fronts.
Painting rooms in your house.
Assembling items such as a BBQ, kids toys, or small appliances, using the enclosed instructions,
Recommended Approach
Replace Existing Fonts and Panels.
Consider painting over everything, giving your kitchen a new fresh look.
Or, if the DIY approach is not for you - no problem! we have a list of Pro's in your area.
PRO'S LIST
Installers
We are providing the following list of IKEA cabinet installers for your convenience. We have no affiliation with any of them on the list. We google searched major cities where there are IKEA stores in most cases to produce this list.
Installer list pdf
Intermediate
I am comfortable with-
Tape measure
Clamps
Power Drill
Level
Jig Saw
Chop Saw
Other tools?
Project Examples
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt
quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip
Recommended Approach
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation
Adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt.
Ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
PRO'S LIST
Advanced
I am comfortable with-
Tape measure
Clamps
Power Drill
Level
Jig Saw
Chop Saw
Most tools
Project Examples
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation
sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Recommended Approach
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt
adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt.
tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
PRO'S LIST
