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If you're looking for ways to save money on custom cabinets, there are a few ways to cut costs without sacrificing beauty. For starters, comparing door styles to choose the most cost-effective option is a great way to save money on the overall project.

In addition, choosing a common wood species versus an exotic one will lower the price. Woods like oak and hickory are often more affordable wood choices, and the same goes for knobs, pulls, and other finishes where picking a commonly available style can reduce costs.

While having an assistant to help ensure safety and to lend a hand is desirable, if someone isn't around to assist, you can install kitchen cabinets on your own. Normal kitchen cabinet installation starts with the upper wall cabinets. If you're working on your own, consider installing the bases first and building a temporary support structure on top of them to help you install the uppers.

In most cases, it’s more affordable to refinish your cabinets than replace them, with refinishing costs averaging $3,000 and replacement costs around $9,000. However, there are some instances in which it’s better to replace your cabinets, like if they’re an outdated style, badly damaged and beyond repair, or a sub-par material, like fiberboard. In all other cases, it’s usually a better idea to have a professional refinish them to save money and restore their original condition.

Any of your garage shelves should be able to hold heavier loads, but it’s best to place heavier items on middle shelves. The only reason for this is to prevent injury—lifting heavy loads from down low requires squatting or bending over, which can lead to back injury, and lifting heavy loads off of high shelves in the garage can be especially dangerous if you drop them.