Cabinet Repair in San Ramon, CA
San Ramon Custom Cabinets connects San Ramon homeowners with local cabinet makers for cabinet repair, including broken hinges, sticking drawers and slides, water damage, loose face frames, sagging shelves and damaged finishes.
We are a free referral service, not the repair company. Tell us what is wrong with your cabinets and a local shop will follow up with a written estimate.
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Common Cabinet Repairs
Many cabinet problems are fixable without replacing anything. A cabinet maker can tell you quickly whether a repair makes sense.
Hinges and Doors
Doors that sag, rub or will not close often need hinge adjustment or replacement. Concealed European hinges adjust in height, depth and side-to-side, so a door can often be realigned without new parts. Stripped screw holes can be filled and re-drilled.
Drawer Slides and Boxes
Drawers that stick, wobble or fall out may have worn slides, loose drawer boxes or racked cabinet frames. Replacing with full-extension soft-close slides can improve function. Broken dovetail joints can be reglued and clamped.
Shelves and Shelf Pins
Sagging shelves may need thicker material, a support rail or new pins. Heavy dishware over long spans is a typical cause.
Handles and Pulls
Loose pulls, cracked knobs or mismatched hardware are easy fixes. Changing hole spacing may require filling and refinishing.
Water Damage and Moisture Problems
Water is the most common serious threat to cabinets, especially sink bases and next to dishwashers.
Sink Base Leaks
Slow leaks from supply lines or drains cause swelling, staining and mold. The first step is to fix the leak with a plumber, then dry the cabinet.
Swollen Particleboard and MDF
Once particleboard swells it rarely recovers. Bases, floors and sides can sometimes be cut out and replaced with plywood sections. Doors and fronts made of MDF may also need replacing.
Mold and Rot
Check for soft wood and musty smell. Mold on surfaces can be cleaned, but rotted structure needs replacing. Hidden damage can extend behind the cabinet into walls and flooring.
Refinishing After Repair
After repairs, the new section is stained or painted to match. Matching an aged finish needs skill, and a slight variation may remain.
Hinge and Slide Repair in Detail
Hardware failures are the most common reason people call a cabinet maker, and the repairs are usually quick.
Adjusting Concealed Hinges
Most modern hinges have three screws that move the door up and down, in and out, and left and right. Small adjustments often fix uneven gaps and doors that rub a neighbor.
Replacing Worn Hinges
Old hinges can lose their spring or bend. Replacement hinges should match the overlay type and bore pattern. If the cup hole is damaged, a repair insert or new bore is used.
Drawer Slide Replacement
Side-mount and undermount slides come in many lengths and load ratings. Matching the length and mounting type matters, and old slides often have unusual spacing that a shop can adapt.
Soft-Close Upgrades
Add-on soft-close devices can be fitted to many hinges, but replacing with integrated soft-close hardware gives a better result.
When to Call a Plumber or Other Trade First
Some cabinet issues start elsewhere. A leaking faucet, failing dishwasher hose or condensation from a refrigerator line damages cabinets repeatedly. Sagging countertops, uneven floors and settled walls also strain frames. A cabinet maker can repair the cabinet, but the source should be fixed by the right trade first so the repair holds.
Face Frame and Box Repairs
The structure of the cabinet determines everything else, so structural problems should be addressed early.
Loose or Cracked Face Frames
Frames can loosen at the joints from age, moisture or heavy use. A cabinet maker can reglue, add pocket screws or reinforce with corner blocks.
Separated Boxes
Cabinets that pull away from each other or the wall may need re-screwing into studs. Shimming and re-leveling can fix gaps.
Broken Rails and Stiles
A cracked stile can be spliced or replaced with matching wood and refinished.
Backs, Toe Kicks and Base Damage
Swollen toe kicks or damaged backs are often replaceable without removing the whole cabinet.
Countertop-Related Problems
If the cabinet underneath is sagging or damaged, the countertop may need to be supported or lifted. Discuss this before work.
Finish Damage, Scratches and Touch-Ups
Scratches and Dents
Minor scratches can be blended with filler sticks, wax or touch-up marker. Deeper gouges may need filler and spot finishing.
Worn Edges and Sun Fade
Frequent contact wears finish near handles. UV can fade some woods like cherry. A professional can refinish the doors or recoat.
Peeling Thermofoil and Laminate
Peeling is often caused by heat or moisture. Re-adhering edges works sometimes, but replacement doors may be a better long-term fix. See cabinet refacing if many doors are affected.
Repairs in Older and Rental Properties
Cabinets in older San Ramon homes and in rental properties often have worn finishes, loose hardware and past water damage. Repairs can extend their life considerably. Landlords and property managers sometimes ask for a bundled visit with multiple fixes. For older cabinets with sentimental or historic value, a cabinet maker can reproduce missing doors or moldings to match.
If your home predates 1978, mention it to the shop before any sanding or stripping because lead-safe work rules may apply.
Repair or Replace
The choice depends on the extent of damage, age and your plans.
When Repair Makes Sense
Isolated problems like hinges, slides, a single water-damaged base or loose frames are often cheaper to repair than replace.
When to Consider Replacing
If most boxes are water-damaged or you want a new layout, repair may only delay the project. A cabinet maker can give you an honest recommendation and a written estimate.
Matching Existing Cabinets
If part of a run is damaged, new doors or panels can be made to match the style. Perfect color matching to aged finishes is difficult, so ask to see samples.
How to Prepare and Prevent Future Problems
Document the Damage
Photograph the issue and note when you first saw it. If an insurance claim is involved, keep the photos and any plumber's report.
Fix the Cause First
A repaired cabinet will fail again if the leak, humidity or overloaded shelf remains. Address the root cause before refinishing.
Routine Maintenance
Check under sinks regularly, wipe spills promptly, tighten loose screws and avoid overloading shelves and drawers.
Use Proper Ventilation
Run a range hood and a bathroom fan to limit moisture, grease and heat that damage finishes.
Choosing a Cabinet Repair Pro
Experience With Your Cabinet Type
Ask whether the shop has repaired cabinets like yours, such as frameless, thermofoil or antique pieces.
Written Estimate and Scope
The estimate should list each repair, the parts, finish work and any minimum service charges.
License and Insurance
California requires a contractor license for jobs above a small dollar threshold. You can verify one at cslb.ca.gov.
What Affects the Cost of Cabinet Repair
Small repairs such as hinge adjustment or a drawer slide replacement may be billed as a service call, and many shops have a minimum, often in the low hundreds of dollars. Larger jobs such as replacing a water-damaged sink base, rebuilding drawers or repairing multiple frames cost more. Treat these as typical ranges; a written estimate after the shop has seen the cabinets is what counts.
Costs depend on the number of items, access, materials, finish matching and whether a plumber is needed. Bundling several small repairs into one visit is usually more efficient.
Get Cabinet Repair in San Ramon Today
Describe the problem and we will connect you with a local cabinet maker. The referral is free.
Free quoteCabinet Repair FAQs
Can water-damaged cabinets be repaired?
Often yes, if the damage is limited. Swollen particleboard may need replacing sections. A cabinet maker can assess the damage after the leak is fixed.
Why won't my cabinet door close properly?
The hinge may be out of adjustment, the door warped, or the box out of square. Adjusting the hinge screws fixes many cases.
Can you replace just the drawer slides?
Yes. Existing drawers can usually be fitted with new full-extension or soft-close slides, if the boxes are sound.
Can I repair cabinets myself?
Simple fixes like tightening screws and adjusting hinges are practical. For structural, water or finish repairs, a professional will get a better result.
What if I can't find matching hardware or doors?
A shop can often source or fabricate matching doors and panels, or replace a full run for a consistent look.
Does the referral cost anything?
No. You pay nothing, and there is no obligation.