How HGTV's Property Brothers Save A Ton Of Money On A Kitchen Renovation

Kitchen cabinets typically account for the biggest investment in every kitchen remodel or renovation. Not only are they one of the main attractions in the space, but they also tend to cover a huge area — oftentimes two adjacent walls. Because of this, the cost of building or updating kitchen cabinetry can be substantial. Interestingly, for HGTV's "Property Brothers" stars Drew and Jonathan Scott, there's a way to upgrade these cabinets without going overboard. According to them, there's no need to replace old cabinetry in the kitchen if it is still in good shape. Reusing them is the best way to go. This is what they did in one project for their show "Don't Hate Your House with the Property Brothers." Instead of replacing the existing cabinets, they breathed new life into them by sanding and painting them to match the aesthetic of the space.

When planning a kitchen renovation, a common issue homeowners face is deciding whether it's cheaper to reface or replace the cabinets. What the Property Brothers did on their show addresses this dilemma, exposing how refacing the cabinetry saves a ton of money. While working on the project, Drew and Jonathan had to deal with dated, stained cabinets. They could have swapped these out for a new set. But instead of spending extra for new cabinets, they opted to sand them down and paint them with a gorgeous cream color after realizing that the woodwork was still in good condition.

A kitchen remodel can cost an arm and a leg, depending on the size of the space. Based on the latest market data, the range can go from $15,000 to $25,000 for small kitchens, $30,000 to $50,000 for medium-sized kitchens, and $60,000 to over $100,000 for large kitchen remodels. A big chunk of the expenses automatically goes to the cabinetry — around 25% to 40% of the total cost. In 2025, homeowners reportedly spent around $8,200 for an average kitchen cabinet replacement. In 2026, the average cost went up to $9,500, as the range for a whole kitchen cabinet replacement jumped to between $4,000 and $15,000. This could still go up depending on the size, materials, and other specifics of the cabinetry.

Considering how much money is needed to replace kitchen cabinets these days, Drew and Jonathan Scott's tip of reusing the existing structure is both practical and wise. Not only will this cut down your renovation expenses, but it can also allow you to reallocate your budget for other purchases for your kitchen, such as new appliances, furniture, or decor. However, you should bear in mind that reusing kitchen cabinets is not always feasible. The Property Brothers themselves always thoroughly examine the state of the existing cabinetry, keeping an eye out for the tell-tale sign of a cheap design, before deciding on whether reusing them is a sound option.