Seems "normal" but not what I call reasonable. I updated my 1980 kitchen myself for $500 this included painting all the cabinets, new porcelain sink new pull down faucet hardware and poured concrete countertop. I am also in the SF Bay Area. If you are planning to sell or rent it out those eventualities are different goals. For a rental, a nice laminate countertop would be fine. For sale, granite or quartz would be a better idea. Unless the cabinets are terrible terrible just prime and paint for either eventuality. New hardware will dress it up a lot I got nice knobs on amazon for $1 each and some drawer pulls for $4.50. This post was edited by tinan on Tue, Jun 4, 13 at 19:15

I also received a resurface quote that was substantially more than new cabinets, including the install for the new cabinets. You can only save money if you DIY. I am going to try this on my small powder room vanity someday. I wouldnÂt experiment for the first time on a kitchen. These are the reasons to resurface instead of going new:  Your cabinets are structurally sound and the frames and shelves are in good condition.  You donÂt want to change your layout.  You want to avoid having to remove all the items from your cabinets (they tape up plastic film).  You donÂt want you kitchen to be out of commission for several weeks. Typically a resurfacing job takes one week and thatÂs about it.  You like your counters and everything that sits in them  sinks, cooktop, Etc. IÂm including the link to the DIY site I found when I considered this option. Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Resurface

Refacing is only an inexpensive choice if you DIY. If you pay a company, especially one of the chains to do it, it will often be more expensive than buying all new cabinets---with less than stellar results. And you don't have the opportunity to tweak your layout or have the newer sturdier drawer glides, or the newer more durable varnishes, etc. You pay all of the money of a complete kitchen replacement remodel without any of it's benefits.

you're doing a lot of changes comparatively speaking of course..you plan to change some cabinetry and work with new color..you plan to choose new countertop, new backsplash i don't know about costs but I feel starting new will be easier..refacing plus creating new pieces sounds expensive. Countertops, backsplash-all that is disruption and money. If you wanted just to paint would be different story. It can be done of course..purchasing new pieces and all..it just won't be less headache. Or so I think. Can you leave the island as is? The cabinet part? That'd save a lot. as for priorites-right question. say was it me-I wouldn't even touch the kitchen (but I'm obviously less of a cook than you..so that matters too). I'd style it pretty and paint walls a different color and go to Kauai..and buy there an art in Hanapepe..:) But I think it seriosly bugs you probably if you consulted three different pros so choose the option that will allow you for the least headache, with most satisfaction in the end. "Headache" can be money or time or ..you know yourself. Yes, kitchens are usually popular on Craigslist, so selling is definitely an option. BTW granite is too. People buy everything.