Cabinets and Countertops · Ocean City, NJ
Kitchen Cabinets, Countertops & Cabinet Refacing in Ocean City, NJ
Cabinets and countertops built for humid, salt-air shore homes: new cabinets, cabinet refacing and quartz or granite surfaces, installed quickly in the off-season.
New Cabinets and Countertops: Custom vs. Semi-Custom vs. Stock
Because cabinets are the largest line item in most kitchen remodels, they are the part you will live with longest. In short, Tri-County installs whatever fits your taste and budget. As a result, you are not limited to a small list of in-house lines.
| Type | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | Tight budgets, rentals, simple layouts | Limited sizes and finishes, fastest to arrive |
| Semi-custom | Most Ocean City remodels | Many sizes, finishes and upgrades; good value for quality |
| Custom | Unusual spaces, high-end homes, built-ins | Made to fit your room exactly; longest lead time |
Tom also builds custom built-in cabinetry for kitchens: pantries, hutches, window seats, beverage centers and the storage that makes a small shore kitchen work harder. Every built-in is unique, so storage is planned around your cooking habits instead of dropped in from a catalog.
Refacing vs. painting vs. replacing
Cabinet Refacing and Countertops: When It Makes Sense
Cabinet refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes, while it replaces the doors, drawer fronts and visible surfaces. When the boxes are solid and the layout works, it is the fastest way to a new kitchen, often in days rather than weeks and without the mess of demolition.
- Your layout works, so plumbing does not need to move
- Cabinet boxes are structurally sound and dry
- You want a new look while avoiding a multi-week kitchen outage
- You are preparing a rental or second home before the next season
| Option | Typical timeframe | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Paint | 2–5 days | Doors are in good shape and you want a color change |
| Refacing | 3–7 days on site | Boxes are good but style is dated |
| Replace | Several weeks plus lead time | Layout, storage or condition need a rethink |
Cabinet and Countertop Materials for Humid Shore Homes
Especially at the shore, moisture is the enemy of cabinetry. We also recommend solid-wood or plywood construction, quality finishes, and sealed edges at the sink and dishwasher. Also, in flood-prone areas, ask us about water-resistant options for lower cabinets. For that reason, avoid bargain particleboard boxes in any room where a leak or a closed-up, humid winter is possible.
Countertops and Cabinets: Quartz vs. Quartzite vs. Granite for Beach Houses
Countertops take the beating, especially from sunscreen, wet glasses, hot pans and a summer of guests.
| Material | Strengths | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz | Non-porous, no sealing, consistent look, great for rentals | Can discolor with direct high heat; seams visible on some patterns |
| Granite | Natural variation, heat tolerant, long-lasting | Needs periodic sealing; some stones are more porous |
| Quartzite | Natural stone look, very hard | Needs sealing; priciest of the three |
We will help you choose with real samples in hand, so you are not picking from a catalog photo.
Islands, Pantries & Built-Ins to Match Your Cabinets and Countertops
An island is the shore kitchen’s social center: seating for the kids, a landing zone for groceries from the beach, and extra prep space for a crowd. We will show you layouts with seating and storage on both sides, and plan outlets, lighting and clearances so it works as well as it looks. Tom has built islands, pantries, hutches and room-to-room built-in systems for decades; ask to see photos in the portfolio.
Cost
Cabinets and Countertops: Cost Ranges
| Item | Typical planning range (installed) |
|---|---|
| Cabinet refacing, average kitchen | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Semi-custom cabinets, average kitchen | $18,000 – $45,000 |
| Custom cabinets, average kitchen | $40,000 – $90,000+ |
| Quartz or granite countertops, average kitchen | $4,000 – $12,000 |
These are planning ranges only, since actual pricing depends on kitchen size, materials and layout. In addition, see the kitchen cost guide.
Client reviews
Clients Who Trusted Tom With Their Kitchens
We always recommend Tom Thornton and Tri-County General Contracting to all of our family, friends and neighbors. Tom designed our beautiful new kitchen and addition for us. He stayed within our budget and was true to our projected timetable for completion. We also found his crew to be reliable, on time and they even cleaned up the work area daily!
Tom’s eye for detail and superior craftsmanship made our experience with Tri-County General Contracting a pleasure. He listened to our ideas and created a space that turned out to be much more than we could ever have imagined, and one that we enjoy every day!
The Dibona Family
Drexel Hill, PA
“We wanted to update our kitchen and make our master bathroom safer. We could not have picked a better contractor. Tom Thornton and his crew became almost part of the family during the project. Tom was attentive and receptive to all of our designs and wishes. There was a certain “can do” attitude about any change or issue. He demonstrated sound problem solving skills whenever something unusual turned up. Believe me that happened in numerous cases on our job. Tom thoroughly ran the project and revealed his extensive knowledge over a wide range of remodeling topics. He brought superior skills to all areas and his meticulous attention to detail was remarkable and a constant force during the renovation. Tom brought our vision to fruition and we could not be any happier with the final result. Our kitchen and bath remodel meets and exceeds all of our expectations. Tom Thornton is the Man!”
The Hine Family
Aston, PA
Reviews are from clients of Tom Thornton / Tri-County General Contracting, shown as submitted on the original TomRemodels.com site. Also, project locations are listed as the clients gave them.
FAQ
Cabinets and Countertops FAQs
Which cabinets hold up best to shore humidity?
Generally, solid-wood or plywood-box cabinets with a quality factory or catalyzed finish and sealed edges around the sink and dishwasher perform best. We steer clients away from cheap particleboard boxes, which swell when moisture gets in. In addition, tell us how often the house is occupied and we will match the construction to the use.
Should I reface or replace my cabinets?
If your existing boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing can transform the kitchen in a fraction of the time and cost. If the boxes are damaged, swollen, poorly laid out, or you want to change the floor plan, replacing is the better investment.
How much does cabinet refacing cost vs. new cabinets?
Refacing typically costs well under half of a full cabinet replacement for the same kitchen, since boxes, layout and plumbing stay put. We will price both options on your estimate visit so you can compare.
Is quartz or granite better for a beach house?
Because quartz needs no sealing and resists staining and moisture, it is the easy choice for rentals and second homes. Granite and quartzite offer natural variation and heat resistance but should be sealed periodically. Also, either works well with the right fabricator and installation.
How long do custom cabinets take to arrive?
In addition, plan for roughly 6 to 14 weeks depending on the line and finish. We order as soon as the design is approved, and schedule demolition so your kitchen is not torn out until the cabinets are close to arriving.
Keep exploring
Related Kitchen Pages
If you want independent design guidance, the National Kitchen & Bath Association publishes kitchen planning standards that designers and remodelers follow.
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