Scratch and Dent Kitchen Cabinets - Quality for Less

Upgrading your kitchen can be an exciting yet costly endeavor. With the average kitchen remodel costing over $20,000, many homeowners seek more affordable options when replacing worn or outdated cabinets. This is where scratch and dent kitchen cabinets can save you thousands without sacrificing style or quality.

Scratch and dent cabinets have minor blemishes like scratches, dings, or discoloration that don't affect their functionality. Rather than tossing these imperfect units, many retailers deeply discount them, passing the savings on to savvy shoppers. Keep reading to learn all about the perks of choosing scratch and dent cabinets for your next kitchen refresh.

What are Scratch and Dent Kitchen Cabinets?

Scratch and dent kitchen cabinets are units that have small defects like:

• Surface scratches
• Scuffs
• Dents or dings
• Chipped edges
• Slight color variations

These blemishes occur during manufacturing, shipping, or handling and are purely cosmetic issues. They don't affect the cabinet's structural integrity or functionality in any way. The cabinets are often from top brands like Wellborn, KraftMaid, or Kemper and made of quality materials like solid wood or plywood.

Retailers deeply discount these units, passing the savings along to deal-seeking homeowners. Rather than paying $500+ per cabinet, you may pay $100-300 for the same scratch and dent cabinet. This makes them a budget-friendly option for significant kitchen upgrades without compromising on quality.

Common Damages of Scratch and Dent Cabinets

Here are some of the most common minor defects you may find with discounted scratch and dent cabinets:

• Surface scratches: Light scratches that only impact the finish or surface layer of the cabinet and not the wood underneath.
• Scuffs: Areas where the finish appears rubbed off or lightly abraded.
• Dents: Indentations in the wood ranging from barely noticeable to 1/4 inch deep.
• Chips: Small sections of trim or edges that have splintered off.
• Discoloration: Patches that are lighter or darker than the surrounding finish.

While unsightly up close, these defects are often hard to spot when the cabinets are installed. And the cost savings make it well worth it for most homeowners. Just take care to thoroughly inspect all sides of cabinets prior to purchase.

Huge Savings on High-Quality Cabinets

The main perk of choosing scratch and dent kitchen cabinets is the significant cost savings. Rather than paying retail pricing, you may save 40-60% off the original price. This adds up to thousands in savings, especially for full kitchen refreshes.

And despite the surface-level flaws, the underlying cabinets are still top-notch. Most retailers only put high-end, solid wood models into their scratch and dent inventory. So you don't have to settle for lower-quality or cheaper materials to get a good deal.

Finding Scratch and Dent Kitchen Cabinets

You can uncover scratch and dent cabinet deals from several sources. Check out these go-to spots to score discounted kitchen cabinets for your next remodel or refresh:

Kitchen and Bath Showrooms

Stop into local kitchen and bath showrooms in your area. Many stock scratch and dent models and sell full displays after exhibitions end. You may need to call around to find retailers that offer discounted units. But be sure to ask!

Big Box Stores

Home improvement warehouses like Home Depot and Lowe's often have special storage areas dedicated to marked down scratch and dent appliances, fixtures, and cabinets. Shop their inventory for significant discounts on top brands.

Online Retailers

Check sites like eBay, Overstock, Wayfair, and Amazon for sellers offering scratch and dent cabinets at a fraction of the cost. Just be sure to closely scrutinize photos and descriptions first, since you can't see the units in person before buying.

Cabinet Distributors

Kitchen cabinet distributors purchase excess stock, overstocks, open box items, and display units from manufacturers. They then sell these products to the public at a steep discount. Search for nearby distributors to uncover scratch and dent cabinet deals.

Inspecting Scratch and Dent Cabinets Before Buying

Before purchasing discounted scratch and dent cabinets:

• Carefully inspect from all angles, inside and out
• Open and close doors and drawers to test functionality
• Check edges and corners for chips or cracks
• Look for loose joinery or defects in construction
• See how hardware fits
• Test matching cabinet colors

Finding an amazing deal isn't helpful if the cabinets are damaged or low-quality. So take time to thoroughly evaluate scratch and dent models first to ensure you pick units that'll work well and look cohesive once installed.

Reasons to Buy Scratch and Dent Kitchen Cabinets

Wondering if choosing scratch and dent cabinets is right for your kitchen remodel or refresh? Here are the top perks of selecting discounted cabinets:

Significant Savings on Kitchen Remodels

The main advantage of buying scratch and dent cabinets is the opportunity for major cost savings. Rather than paying full price for kitchen cabinets, you may save 40-60% off retail . For a full kitchen of 15+ cabinets, that translates to over $5,000 in savings or more!

Whether you're renovating your dated kitchen or just swapping out a few worn cabinets, the discount lets you stick to your budget and refresh your space affordably.

High-Quality Materials Without the Price Tag

Discount cabinets often come from high-end lines but have purely cosmetic flaws. So you can enjoy solid wood construction, soft-close hardware, intricate details, glass fronts, and other upgrades for much less. Rather than settling for lower-grade cabinets to save money, scratch and dent models let you achieve a luxury look on a budget.

Customization and Repair Options

The choice of finishes, handles, organizers and other accessories is limited with discounted stock cabinets. But scratch and dent models are often fully customizable. So you can tailor them to match your existing kitchen style or create your dream layout affordably.

Minor scratches and dents can also be repaired either before installing the cabinets or down the road. A few coats of touch up paint is often enough to hide scuffs and marks. While wood filler, sanding, and refinishing take care of deeper issues over time.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Rather than ending up in landfills, quality scratch and dent cabinets are reused and repurposed. Shopping discount and open box inventory keeps functioning kitchen components out of garbage dumps. It's an eco-friendly, sustainable choice for affordable upgrades.

Tips for Installing Scratch and Dent Kitchen Cabinets

Installing used cabinets takes a bit more prep and patience. But you can end up with a gorgeous, cohesive kitchen with some smart planning. Here are tips to tackle the project:

Plan Your Layout

Since you're mixing and matching discounted cabinets, carefully map out your design before installing. Pay attention to sizes, styles and finishes. You may need to stagger units to disperse any damage evenly around the kitchen. Be ready to flex your layout to make it work.

Take time to ensure your floors, walls, and existing cabinets provide an even, stable foundation for installing scratch and dent models. Address any dampness or uneven spots that could cause issues down the road. A clean, flat mounting surface helps flawed cabinets look uniform and seamless once in place.