The average cost to reface kitchen cabinets typically ranges from \$2,500 to \$8,000 for an average-sized kitchen, though this figure can go higher or lower based on materials chosen, the size of the job, and whether you hire professionals or opt for a DIY approach.
Deciding to update your kitchen is exciting. You want a fresh look without the huge price tag of a full tear-out. Cabinet refacing, sometimes called cabinet resurfacing, offers a great middle ground. But what exactly does it cost to transform those tired cabinets into something new and stylish? Let’s explore the real costs involved in cabinet refacing.
Deciphering Cabinet Refacing vs. Other Options
Before diving into the numbers, it helps to know what refacing means and how it stacks up against other kitchen updates.
Cabinet refacing focuses on the visible parts of your existing cabinets. Installers remove the old doors and drawer fronts. They then apply new, high-quality material—often wood veneer or laminate—over the existing cabinet boxes (the framework). Finally, they install brand-new doors and drawer fronts. This keeps the structure but swaps out the looks.
Cost Comparison Refacing vs. Replacing Cabinets
This is the most common question homeowners ask. Is refacing cheaper than buying all new cabinets? In almost every case, yes, it is significantly less expensive.
| Project Type | Typical Price Range (Mid-Sized Kitchen) | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Refacing | \$2,500 – \$8,000 | Major aesthetic change, keeps existing layout. |
| Cabinet Refinishing | \$1,500 – \$4,500 | Lowest cost, but only changes the color/finish. |
| Cabinet Replacement | \$8,000 – \$25,000+ | Complete customization, new layout possible. |
Refacing typically saves homeowners 40% to 60% compared to buying brand-new custom cabinets. This savings is why it remains a popular choice for quick kitchen makeovers.
Cabinet Refinishing vs. Refacing Cost
Cabinet refinishing vs refacing cost highlights a key difference. Refinishing means sanding down the existing doors and drawers and applying a new paint or stain color. Nothing structural changes. You keep the old door style.
Refacing involves adding new exterior layers and often installing entirely new door styles. Because refacing involves more labor and new materials for the doors and drawer fronts, it costs more than simple refinishing, but it provides a much bigger visual impact.
Factors That Determine the Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost
The final bill for your project is not one set number. Several factors play a big role in setting your total kitchen cabinet refacing cost. Knowing these helps you budget better.
Size of Your Kitchen
More cabinets mean more material and more labor time. A small galley kitchen will naturally have a lower cost than a large U-shaped kitchen with many upper and lower units. Contractors often estimate based on the number of doors and drawers.
Material Selection
The materials you choose for the new door fronts and the veneer covering the boxes greatly impact pricing.
Laminate and Thermofoil
These are often the most budget-friendly options. Laminate is durable and comes in many printed wood grains or solid colors. Thermofoil is a vinyl film heated and pressed onto MDF doors.
- Pros: Affordable, wide range of styles, easy to clean.
- Cons: Can look less premium than real wood; prone to peeling if exposed to extreme heat (like over a toaster oven).
Wood Veneer
This is a thin slice of real wood applied over the existing cabinet structure. It offers the look and feel of solid wood at a lower price point.
- Pros: Authentic wood grain, high-quality appearance, durable.
- Cons: More expensive than laminate; requires some maintenance like wood.
Solid Wood Doors
Some refacing companies allow you to select solid wood doors (like maple or cherry) for the new fronts while retaining the existing boxes. This is the highest-end refacing option.
- Pros: Maximum durability and beauty.
- Cons: Significantly increases the custom cabinet refacing pricing.
Door Style Complexity
Simple, flat-panel doors are the easiest and cheapest to produce. Doors with many routed details, raised panels, or intricate molding take longer to manufacture and assemble.
If you choose a Shaker style door (a classic, simple frame and panel), the cost will be moderate. If you opt for complex cathedral arches or detailed moldings, expect the price to rise.
Hardware and Accessories
New hardware—knobs, pulls, hinges—adds to the bill. While often overlooked, choosing premium stainless steel or designer pulls can add several hundred dollars to the final price. Also, consider upgrades like soft-close hinges, which add convenience but increase costs slightly.
Labor Rates and Location
Labor rates vary widely by geography. Refacing cabinets in a major metropolitan area like New York City or San Francisco will cost much more than the same job in a small town in the Midwest due to differences in the local cost of living and contractor wages.
Breaking Down the Cabinet Resurfacing Prices
When you receive an estimate for cabinet resurfacing prices, it usually breaks down into materials, labor, and subsidiary costs.
Material Costs
This category covers everything that physically changes the look of the cabinets.
- New doors and drawer fronts.
- The veneer or laminate covering the existing cabinet boxes.
- Adhesives, primers, and sealants.
- New hardware (knobs/pulls).
For a standard 10×10 kitchen (about 15-20 cabinet boxes), materials might account for 30% to 45% of the total project cost. If you choose high-end materials, this percentage rises sharply.
Labor Costs
Labor is the largest component of any kitchen renovation. This includes:
- Preparation: Removing old doors, cleaning and prepping the boxes.
- Application: Applying the new veneer precisely to the boxes.
- Installation: Fitting and hanging the new doors and drawers.
- Finishing Touches: Installing hardware and checking alignment.
Professional installation takes skilled labor, often several days, which is why labor costs can be 50% to 70% of the estimate.
Auxiliary Costs
These are the “extra” costs that can surprise homeowners.
- Demolition/Disposal: Cost to remove and dispose of the old cabinet doors if they are not being reused.
- Molding and Trim: Adding crown molding to the tops of cabinets or light rail molding underneath for under-cabinet lighting.
- Contingency Fund: Always set aside 10% to 15% of the budget for unexpected issues found once the old doors are removed.
How Much Does It Cost to Get New Cabinet Fronts? (Focusing on Doors)
Sometimes, a homeowner only needs new doors and drawer fronts, keeping the existing boxes untouched and possibly even accepting the current finish. This is often called cabinet door replacement cost or partial refacing. This scenario is much cheaper than a full overhaul.
If you use stock or semi-custom doors purchased online or from a big box store, the cost for just the doors and drawer fronts might only be \$1,000 to \$3,000 for a standard kitchen. However, this assumes your existing boxes are in perfect shape and the new doors align perfectly with the existing construction.
When you hire a company for true refacing, they manage the fit and finish between the new doors and the old boxes, which adds complexity and cost but ensures a seamless final look.
The DIY Route: DIY Cabinet Refacing Cost
Can you save money by doing the work yourself? Yes, but only if you are handy and patient. The DIY cabinet refacing cost eliminates the largest expense—labor—but you must absorb the full material cost and the risk of mistakes.
A DIYer saves on labor, which can cut the total bill by half or more.
Typical DIY Material Costs (10×10 Kitchen):
- DIY Veneer and Adhesives: \$800 – \$1,500
- New Doors/Drawers (Unfinished/Pre-milled): \$1,000 – \$2,500
- Hardware: \$150 – \$400
- Tools (Sander, brushes, clamps, etc.): \$200 (if you don’t own them)
Total Estimated DIY Cost: \$2,150 – \$4,400 (Varies heavily on door material chosen).
DIY Warning: Professional refacing requires precise application of veneer to avoid bubbles, warping, or misalignment, which is hard to achieve perfectly without specialized equipment and experience. Mistakes here mean the whole box might look bad quickly.
Cabinet Overhaul Cost: When Refacing Is Almost a Replacement
The term cabinet overhaul cost is sometimes used interchangeably with high-end refacing. This happens when the existing boxes are in poor condition, requiring significant structural repairs, or if the homeowner decides to reconfigure the layout slightly (moving a few cabinets).
If the contractor has to rebuild sections of the cabinet structure, add filler pieces, or deal with severe water damage, the project moves closer to a replacement budget. A comprehensive overhaul might push the final price close to the low end of brand-new cabinet pricing, perhaps reaching \$9,000 to \$12,000.
Comparing Comprehensive Cabinet Overhaul Costs
Here is a table to illustrate what adds significant cost to the refacing process:
| Feature Added/Chosen | Impact on Total Cost | Why it Adds Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full Wood Veneer over Laminate | High Increase | Real wood material is premium. |
| Custom Moldings/Trim | Moderate Increase | More cutting, fitting, and material required. |
| Soft-Close Hardware | Low Increase | Specialized hinges and drawer slides. |
| Changing Layout (Minor) | Moderate Increase | Extra carpentry work, patching drywall. |
| Glass Inserts in Doors | Moderate Increase | Need for specialized cutting and glass materials. |
The Importance of Estimates and Contracts
To get an accurate idea of your kitchen cabinet refacing cost, you need multiple bids. Do not accept verbal quotes.
Getting Good Quotes
- Be Specific: Tell the contractor exactly what you want—laminate veneer, shaker doors, new pulls.
- Get Three Bids: Compare at least three detailed, written estimates.
- Check References: Ask to see examples of recent refacing jobs. This is crucial to assess the quality of their finish work.
Reading the Contract
Ensure the contract clearly outlines:
- The exact material being used for the new doors and veneer.
- The brand and finish of the hardware included.
- The timeline for the project completion.
- What happens if structural issues are found once the old doors are removed.
Advantages of Choosing Cabinet Refacing
Why spend money on refacing if replacing cabinets is an option? Refacing offers distinct benefits beyond just the immediate price savings.
Speed of Completion
Refacing is generally much faster than a full replacement. A typical refacing project takes one to two weeks. Replacing cabinets can take four to eight weeks, factoring in the time needed for demolition, ordering new boxes, cabinet installation, and finishing touches.
Less Disruption
Because you are not tearing out existing boxes, you avoid major plumbing or electrical disruption. Countertops usually stay put, meaning you don’t face days or weeks without a working sink or stove. This significantly reduces the hassle factor.
Keeping What Works
If your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound, made of good quality plywood or strong wood, and the layout functions well for your cooking style, why rip them out? Refacing capitalizes on that existing quality structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cabinet Refacing Costs
Q: How long does cabinet refacing take?
A: For a typical kitchen, professional refacing usually takes between 5 to 10 working days. This includes prep time, veneer application, door installation, and final adjustments.
Q: Can I save money by only replacing the cabinet doors?
A: Yes, if you are only looking for cabinet door replacement cost, this is cheaper than full refacing. However, the new doors must perfectly match the dimensions and style of the existing box structure, which limits your style choices significantly.
Q: Does refacing increase home resale value?
A: Yes, a newly refaced kitchen looks fresh and modern. It adds significant appeal. While it may not add the full dollar amount you spent back, a beautiful, updated kitchen is a major selling point, unlike older, tired cabinets.
Q: What is the difference between refacing and painting cabinets?
A: Painting (or refinishing) changes the color but keeps the existing door profile. Refacing keeps the box structure but applies new, high-quality exterior materials, usually including brand-new door and drawer fronts, offering a more dramatic transformation. The cabinet refinishing vs refacing cost gap reflects this difference in scope.
Q: Is refacing worth it if my cabinets are older than 30 years?
A: It depends on the original construction. If the boxes are solid wood or high-quality plywood, refacing is often worth it. If the boxes are particleboard that is sagging or damaged, replacement might be a better long-term investment, even though the cabinet overhaul cost might seem high initially.