You don't have to pay full price for replacement kitchen cabinet doors if you know what to look for and where to look.
Search and advertise in the area newspapers for replacement doors. There could be a person in your community who has at some point demolished an old building and is hoping to find a buyer for some of the salvage. In addition, many regional stores now have bulletin boards where you can hang your business card or advertise for kitchen cabinet doors. Hundreds of people view these boards while coming and going and your chances are good that someone will read your ad. And best of all, the ad is free and can remain posted as long as necessary.
Visit flea markets and country stores. You'd be surprised at what you find at roadside establishments. Some carry everything including the kitchen sink. Many times you'll find great bargains, because the cabinet doors could be part of a bulk purchase made by the proprietor.
Inquire at mobile home sales lots. Often buyers trade in their old mobile homes for credit towards a new home. These mobiles are usually scrapped, so the sales lot is more than happy to sell any items from the home before it's hauled away. If the mobile home is pre-1970's, chances are the cabinet doors are solid wood. There are also places which strictly sell mobile home replacement parts and you could possibly find a set of doors at a shop such as this. If they don't have any cabinet doors on hand, they can sometimes order them at substantial savings than what you'd pay at a home improvement store.
Check with woodworkers or cabinet makers in your area. It's possible that someone might have ordered some cabinet doors but failed to pick them up. Or, they may give you a great deal on making you a set of kitchen cabinet doors. On the other hand, if you're feeling creative, and you have the right tools, you could try to make the cabinet doors yourself. Some plywood, router and circular saw should be enough to get you started with this project. If you're just not the woodworking type, search for the nearest building supplies discount store. Many of these stores carry discontinued lots, buy-outs from local home improvement companies, or good with slight imperfections.
Call in your area for contractors and home improvement companies. Let them know that you are looking for replacement cabinet doors in the event that they acquire some through an upcoming kitchen remodeling job. Many people replace kitchen cabinet doors when they remodel their kitchen, just so the doors will match the new design. Sometimes there is nothing noticeably wrong with the previous doors.
Find out where the nearest cabinet door factory is. It's entirely possible that they can sell you some of their "seconds" which didn't quite meet the company's standards. They may have failed to meet specified conditions simply because the doors are an inch too long, but for you, they're just perfect.
If so far you've had no luck, try scoping out the online auctions. Nowadays, you can find anything and everything you're looking for at internet auctions. Sure, there's that heavy shipping charge, but sometimes you can get the product itself for bottom dollar, which makes the shipping charges justifiable. While online you might also want to search for cabinet makers and specifically ones who offer free shipping with a minimum order. If all else fails, and you've yet to find your replacement doors, go back to the home improvement store, but wait until you see that they are having a sale on cabinets and accessories.
