The average cost of cabinet refacing typically ranges from \$4,000 to \$12,000 for an entire kitchen, but specific prices depend heavily on the size of your kitchen, the materials you choose, and whether you hire professionals or tackle it yourself.
When you look at your tired kitchen cabinets, you might feel stuck. Should you buy brand new ones? Should you just paint them? Cabinet refacing offers a middle ground. It keeps your existing cabinet boxes but gives you a fresh, new look. This is often a smart way to save money and time. Knowing the real costs involved is the first step in planning your kitchen update. This guide will break down every factor affecting the kitchen cabinet refacing cost.
Why Choose Cabinet Refacing Over Replacement?
Many homeowners face this decision. Replacement is a big job. Refacing is usually faster and much cheaper.
Refacing keeps the existing cabinet frames (the boxes). You only replace the visible parts: the doors, drawer fronts, and the exterior surfaces covering the boxes. This saves a lot on labor and material costs associated with demolition and building entirely new structures.
If your current cabinet boxes are solid and in good shape, refacing is a great option. If the boxes are water-damaged or falling apart, replacement might be necessary.
Deciphering the Variables in Cabinet Refacing Costs
The final price tag for your project is not a single number. It depends on several key choices you make. Think of these choices as levers that move the total cabinet makeover prices up or down.
Material Selection: The Biggest Cost Driver
The materials you select for your new doors and surface overlays are the single largest factor in the overall cabinet resurfacing price.
Wood Species and Veneers
If you choose wood, the type matters greatly:
- Laminate/Thermofoil: This is often the most budget-friendly option. These materials are synthetic wraps applied over existing wood or MDF. They offer a smooth, consistent look.
- Wood Veneer: This involves applying thin slices of real wood over the existing boxes. It gives the look of real wood at a lower price than solid wood doors.
- Solid Wood: Using solid wood for new doors (like maple, oak, or cherry) will push the cost toward the higher end of the kitchen cabinet refacing cost scale. Premium woods cost more.
Door Style
The style of the door impacts labor and material use.
- Shaker Style: These are very popular. They have a simple, recessed center panel. They are usually less expensive than highly detailed styles.
- Raised Panel or Detailed Designs: Doors with lots of routing, molding, or curved details take more time to produce and install. This increases the cost.
Labor Costs and Geographic Location
Labor is another major component of the final bill. Professional installers charge based on their skill level and how busy they are in your area.
- Urban vs. Rural: Installation fees are generally higher in large cities compared to smaller towns.
- Contractor Experience: Highly experienced companies that specialize in refacing might charge more per hour than a general handyman.
Scope of Work: Beyond Doors and Drawers
Are you just replacing doors, or are you updating everything?
- Hardware: New hinges, knobs, and pulls add to the cost. Soft-close hinges are a popular upgrade but cost more than standard hinges.
- Interior Updates: If you include updating the drawer boxes or adding new interior organizers, the cost to update kitchen cabinets goes up.
- Crown Molding and Trim: Adding decorative trim around the tops of the cabinets increases material and labor needs.
Professional Refacing vs. DIY Cabinet Refacing Cost
Homeowners must decide: hire experts or do it themselves? This choice has a huge impact on the final budget to reface cabinets.
Professional Cabinet Refacing
Hiring a company that specializes in refacing handles all the complex steps: template creation, ordering materials, surface prep, and installation.
Pros:
* Guaranteed quality and fit.
* Saves significant time and reduces project stress.
* Access to professional-grade materials and tools.
Cons:
* Highest overall cost due to labor charges.
If you seek custom cabinet refacing quotes, expect the price to reflect bespoke measurements and high-end finishes.
DIY Cabinet Refacing Cost
A DIY approach saves you the labor expense but demands time, patience, and specific skills.
What the DIYer Must Budget For:
1. Material Kits: Buying the veneer or laminate sheets needed for the boxes.
2. New Doors and Drawer Fronts: You will still need to order these, either unfinished or pre-finished from a third-party supplier. This is the main component of the cabinet door replacement cost.
3. Adhesives and Tools: High-quality contact cement, edge banding tools, clamps, and specialized routers (if applicable).
4. Finishing Supplies: If you choose to paint or stain the new faces yourself, budget for quality paint, primer, and sealants.
The Verdict: DIY can cut the labor portion (often 30–50% of the total cost) but requires a steep learning curve, especially for getting perfect seams and flawless veneer application.
Comparative Cost Breakdown: Refacing vs. Other Options
To truly gauge the value of refacing, compare it to painting and full replacement.
| Project Type | Estimated Cost Range (Mid-Sized Kitchen) | Timeframe | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Refacing | \$4,000 – \$12,000 | 3–7 Days | Keeps existing boxes; good for solid structures. |
| Cabinet Painting (DIY) | \$500 – \$1,500 | 1–3 Weeks | Lowest upfront cost; very labor-intensive; finish quality varies widely. |
| Cabinet Painting (Pro) | \$2,500 – \$5,000 | 1–2 Weeks | Better finish than DIY; less expensive than refacing. |
| Cabinet Replacement (Stock) | \$10,000 – \$18,000+ | 2–4 Weeks | New boxes, new installation; limited style/size choices. |
| Cabinet Replacement (Custom) | \$20,000 – \$40,000+ | 4–8 Weeks | Complete customization; highest cost. |
Deeper Dive into Refacing Components Pricing
Let’s explore how much specific elements contribute to the kitchen cabinet refacing cost. These figures are estimates and vary widely by region and supplier.
Cost of Doors and Drawer Fronts
This is often the largest line item. Prices are typically quoted per piece.
- Laminate/Thermofoil Doors: \$50 – \$150 per door.
- Wood Veneer Doors (Shaker): \$100 – \$250 per door.
- Solid Wood Doors (Premium Finish): \$200 – \$450+ per door.
If you have 20 cabinet doors and 8 drawers, this component alone can swing the cabinet door replacement cost from \$2,000 to over \$10,000.
Cost of Veneering the Cabinet Boxes
Refacing means applying a new finished material (veneer or laminate) to the visible sides of the existing cabinet boxes (the face frames and side panels).
- Material Cost (Veneer/Laminate Sheets): This can be modest, perhaps \$500 – \$1,500 in materials for an average kitchen.
- Labor for Application: Professional installers charge based on the complexity of wrapping the boxes seamlessly. This labor often runs between \$2,000 and \$5,000 for a standard kitchen. This contributes heavily to the overall cabinet resurfacing price.
Hardware Upgrades
Don’t forget the small details that dramatically affect feel and function.
| Hardware Item | Budget Option | Premium Option |
|---|---|---|
| Knobs/Pulls (Per Piece) | \$3 – \$7 | \$10 – \$30 |
| Standard Hinges (Per Pair) | Included or \$5 | Soft-Close: \$10 – \$20 |
Upgrading all hardware on a 30-cabinet kitchen can easily add \$300 to \$900 to your budget to reface cabinets.
The Alternative: Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Cost
It is crucial to distinguish between refacing and refinishing.
Refinishing means sanding down the existing cabinet doors and drawers and applying new paint or stain directly onto the original wood or laminate.
Refacing means covering the old surface entirely with new material (veneer or laminate) and installing entirely new doors/drawer fronts.
Grasping the Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Cost:
Refinishing is usually much cheaper than refacing.
* DIY Refinishing: Primarily the cost of high-quality paint, primer, and sandpaper, perhaps \$200 – \$500 total.
* Professional Refinishing: Expect costs between \$1,500 and \$3,500 for a full kitchen, depending on the finish quality required.
If your cabinets are already wood and just need a color change, refinishing might be the answer. If you hate the door style, refacing is necessary.
Getting Custom Cabinet Refacing Quotes: What to Ask For
When you start collecting custom cabinet refacing quotes, ensure every quote includes the same scope of work. A vague quote can lead to major surprises later.
Ask potential contractors these critical questions:
- What material is being used for the doors (solid wood, MDF core, veneer)?
- What is the thickness of the veneer covering the existing boxes? (Thicker is usually more durable.)
- Are the installation labor costs included in this price?
- What is the warranty on the materials and the installation workmanship?
- Does this quote include demolition/disposal of the old doors (if applicable)?
- What is the lead time from signing the contract to installation?
A reliable quote should clearly outline the cabinet resurfacing price broken down by materials, preparation labor, and installation labor.
Maximizing Value: Where to Save Money on Your Refacing Project
If you are trying to keep your budget to reface cabinets tight, focus your savings efforts on the areas that offer the best return on investment for the effort expended.
Focus Savings on the Boxes
Since the main boxes stay put, concentrate your budget here for the biggest visual impact. Spend money on high-quality exterior veneer for the boxes because this material covers the largest surface area visible when the doors are open.
Save on Doors: Consider Thermofoil or MDF
If you opt for high-end veneer on the boxes, you might save money by choosing durable, smooth thermofoil or painted MDF doors instead of solid wood doors. This keeps the overall look cohesive without doubling the cabinet door replacement cost.
Handle the Hardware Yourself
Buying hardware directly from large online retailers can save you 30% or more compared to buying the same pulls and knobs through a cabinet shop. Installing the hardware is usually a simple task you can tackle after the professionals leave.
Embrace a Simple Door Style
Shaker doors are timeless and require less intricate machining than highly detailed, traditional styles. Choosing a simpler profile automatically lowers the manufacturing cost component of your cabinet makeover prices.
The Durability Factor: How Long Do Refaced Cabinets Last?
A quality refacing job should last just as long as new cabinets—typically 10 to 25 years. The lifespan depends almost entirely on the quality of the materials used and the skill of the installation.
- High-Quality Veneer/Laminate: If the installer uses industrial-strength adhesives and carefully seals all edges, the material will resist peeling, warping, and moisture damage. This ensures you get the long life expected from the average cost of cabinet refacing.
- Poor Installation: If the installer cuts corners—especially around sinks or dishwashers where moisture is high—the veneer can lift within just a few years, leading to costly repairs or premature replacement.
If you are interested in the DIY cabinet refacing cost, remember that material failure due to improper application (like using the wrong adhesive or failing to clamp correctly) is the most common cause of short lifespan in DIY jobs.
Planning for Unexpected Costs
Even with careful quoting, projects can creep up in price. Keep a 10% contingency fund aside for unforeseen issues.
Common Unexpected Expenses:
- Addressing Subpar Existing Boxes: Once the old doors are off, you might discover that the existing cabinet frames need structural reinforcement before the new veneer can be applied properly.
- Upgraded Paint/Sealer: If you switch from a simple laminate to a high-gloss finish, you might require a more expensive primer or topcoat.
- Appliance Conflicts: Refacing might slightly alter the depth of your cabinet fronts, sometimes causing issues if you planned to install a slide-in range or dishwasher flush against them.
Budgeting for these possibilities protects your overall budget to reface cabinets.
Summary of Cost Factors
To summarize, here is how the different choices affect the price you will pay:
| Factor | Low Cost Impact | High Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Door Style | Flat panel, simple Shaker | Raised panel, intricate trim |
| Material | Thermofoil, basic laminate | Solid wood (Cherry, Maple), high-end finishes |
| Labor | DIY or hiring local handyman | Specialized national refacing company |
| Hardware | Basic knobs, standard hinges | Soft-close mechanisms, designer pulls |
| Prep Work | Boxes are structurally sound | Boxes require reinforcement or repair |
When comparing custom cabinet refacing quotes, look past the lowest number and focus on the details of the materials and the warranty they offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is cabinet refacing cheaper than painting?
A: Generally, no. Professional painting usually costs less than a full refacing job. Refacing is more expensive because it involves installing new doors and covering all surfaces with new material (veneer), which costs more than simply preparing and painting the existing surfaces.
Q: Can I reface laminate cabinets?
A: Yes, you can reface laminate cabinets. However, surface preparation is critical. The installer must thoroughly clean, degloss, and sometimes lightly sand the laminate so that the new adhesive for the veneer can bond securely. If the laminate is peeling already, it must be repaired or removed first.
Q: How long does the refacing process take?
A: For professional services, the process usually takes between three days and one week for a standard kitchen. The longest part is often the fabrication time for the new doors, which may happen off-site before the installation team arrives.
Q: Do I have to remove my countertops for refacing?
A: Usually, no. Refacing typically works around the existing countertops because the existing boxes are not removed. Only in rare cases where the box height must be significantly altered might the countertop need temporary removal, but this adds considerable cost and complexity.