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Cabinet Refacing Cost: Is It Cheaper To Replace or Reface? [2023 Data]
By: Andrew Saladino | 
6 min
May 17th, 2023
In desperate need of a budget-friendly kitchen refresh?
Cabinet refacing is a great option for homeowners wanting to give their kitchen a modern makeover without committing to the cost of a full-on kitchen remodel.
Cabinet refacing costs between $4,500 and $7,000 on average, including labor costs, veneer, new doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet hardware.
Changing up the appearance of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets can have a tremendous impact on the look and feel of your space - and at almost half the cost of replacing your cabinets, it's an affordable way to achieve the design of your dreams.
Table of Contents
Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing
The average cost of refacing a cabinet is $4,500 to $7,000, but cabinet refacing costs vary based on a number of factors like kitchen layout, cabinet size, and the quality of the materials used. To give you a general idea, we determined the low-, mid-, and high-end cabinet refacing cost ranges for an average 10'x10' kitchen:
| Average Cabinet Refacing Cost for 10'x10' Kitchen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Low-End | Mid-Range | High-End |
| $1,000-$4,000 | $4,500-$7,000 | $7,000-$20,000 |
Things To Consider When Calculating Cost
As mentioned above, the wide price range for cabinet refacing takes into account multiple variables that can add to the total cost. In some cases, kitchen cabinet refacing can cost as much as brand-new cabinets. Consider the following before setting your cabinet budget.
Type of Materials
While you won't need to remove and install new cabinet boxes like you would if you were replacing your cabinets, you will be replacing your old cabinet doors and drawer faces, as well as adding new veneer over the cabinet boxes. The quality of these materials will have a significant impact on price.
Low-end materials, like particle board cabinet doors wrapped in thermofoil veneer, will cost much less than premium solid wood or plywood doors with wood veneer. When choosing between types of cabinet materials, make sure to consider durability and maintenance requirements in addition to price.
Kitchen Size
Kitchen size will play an obvious role in determining the cost of cabinet refacing - the bigger your kitchen, the more cabinets to reface. While some contractors have a set price for cabinet refacing, most will charge based on the total linear square feet of your cabinets.
| Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing by Kitchen Size | |
|---|---|
| Less than 100 sq. ft. | Low: $1,000-$3,500 |
| High $3,500-$5,000 | |
| 100-200 sq. ft. | Low: $2,500-$6,000 |
| High: $6,000-$10,000 | |
| 200+ sq. ft. | Low: $5,000-$12,000 |
| High: $12,000-$20,000 | |
Current Layout
Kitchen layouts with tight angles or corner cabinets can add to the complexity of the job. In some cases, special tools, skills, or materials may be required to reface your cabinets, which will cost more time and money.
Location
Labor and material costs associated with cabinet refacing vary significantly based on where you live. Expect to pay more if you live in an urban area as opposed to a suburban or rural community. For example, the average cost to reface cabinets in Boise, Idaho, is around $3,000 -about half of what it would cost in New York City.
Accessories and Hardware
You don't have to replace your cabinet hardware after refacing your cabinets, but many homeowners use the opportunity to opt for trendy, updated knobs and pulls to match their new cabinet look. The cost for new cabinet hardware can range anywhere from $100 to $10,000, but most replacements will fall under $1,000. The price will depend on the style and material of the hardware.
In addition to new cabinet hardware, you can also choose to do additional upgrades to boost your kitchen's appeal, such as:
- Under cabinet lighting: $200-$300 per light
- Crown molding: $5-$25 per linear foot
- Glass cabinet inserts: $150-$200 per door
- Pullout trash cans: $70-$200
- Lazy Susans: $80-$300
- Built-in wine racks: $500-$3,000
- Spice storage: $70-$600
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing -sometimes referred to as a "cabinet makeover" -involves replacing the "skins" of your pre-existing kitchen cabinets. During the refacing process, the cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed and replaced, along with the old veneer and oftentimes the hardware. Optional add-ons, such as crown molding or glass panels, are also sometimes installed as part of the project.
While a patient DIYer may be able to reface their cabinets on their own, this technique is best performed by a cabinet refacing pro who has experience working with veneer. Depending on the size of your kitchen, refacing can take about three to five days to complete, with additional time needed for any accessories or add-ons you decide to have done.
What Are the Benefits of Refacing Your Cabinets?
If your cabinets are in good condition and simply need an update, cabinet refacing is a great option for a cost-effective and speedy kitchen refresh. Benefits of refacing your cabinets include:
- Limitless design possibilities: From wood veneer to textured melamine available in any color and pattern, you'll be able to get the cabinet style you want without purchasing brand-new units.
- Quick installation: While a full-on kitchen remodel could take months to complete, cabinet refacing allows you to completely transform the look of your kitchen or bathroom in less than a week.
- Environmentally friendly: Since you aren't changing the layout of your kitchen or replacing your cabinet boxes, cabinet refacing has a much smaller carbon footprint vs. buying new cabinets.
- Kitchen accessibility: You'll be able to use your kitchen while this project is underway, so you'll be saving money on takeout.
- Cost-effective: Since you're keeping your pre-existing cabinet boxes, you'll only need to pay for new doors, drawer fronts, and veneer.
Can You Reface Your Cabinets Yourself?
Refacing your cabinets yourself is possible, but not recommended. There's a learning curve when working with veneer - it's a tricky process that must be done exactly right. Doing it yourself without extensive experience may result in lopsided application, creases, tears, or bubbles.
Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacing vs. Refinishing
When it comes to updating your kitchen cabinets, you can either reface, refinish, or completely replace them. Here's how these projects compare:
- Cabinet refacing: Replace outdated cabinet doors, drawer fronts, veneer, and hardware with new ones for a fresh look. Unlike cabinet replacement, the existing kitchen layout cannot be changed.
- Cabinet replacing: This requires the removal and disposal of old kitchen cabinets and installation of new cabinets. The pre-existing kitchen layout may be updated during this process.
- Cabinet refinishing: This involves stripping the paint or stain off your old cabinet doors and drawers and restaining or painting them.
| Cabinet Refinishing vs. Refacing vs. Replacing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Refacing | Replacing | Refinishing | |
| Cost | $4,500-$7,000 | $4,000-$12,000 | $500-$5,000 |
| Time | 3-5 days | 5-14 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Environmental Impact | Low | High | Moderate (materials may contain harmful chemicals) |
| Professional Required | Recommended | No | No |
| When It's Recommended | Cabinet boxes are in solid shape and existing kitchen layout isn't an issue | Full kitchen remodel or when cabinet boxes are in poor condition | Cabinet doors and drawers are in good condition but need a light refresh |
Is It Cheaper To Replace or Reface Your Cabinets?
In most cases, homeowners can save upwards of 30% to 50% when choosing to have their cabinets refaced instead or replaced. Because you don't need to remove and dispose of your old cabinets, do any rough-in work, purchase and ship your new cabinets, and set time aside for installation, it's much cheaper to pay a professional to reface your cabinets.
Tips To Save on Cabinet Refacing Costs
That said, cabinet refacing is still a costly investment. Here are a few best practices we recommend to ensure you're receiving quality refacing services at a reasonable price.
- Don't settle on the first quote: Compare the estimated cost of the project from at least three reputable professionals before making a decision.
- Ask for a warranty: See what sort of damage or issues are covered - you might be able to save some money on repairs down the road.
- Skip the hardware: If your cabinet handles and knobs are still in good condition, they may just need a good cleaning to get them looking brand new.
- Try your local hardware store: If you still want to replace your cabinet hardware, see if you can find it cheaper at your local hardware store rather than purchasing through your installer.
- Consider solid wood alternatives: While solid wood cabinets are a durable high-end material for cabinet doors, high-density fiberboard is just as strong and a fraction of the cost. Even medium-density fiberboard could be a decent alternative if you're gentle on your cabinets.
- Choose affordable veneer: Wood veneer is beautiful, but its high maintenance and higher price tag aren't for everyone. Consider more affordable materials like laminate or thermofoil. They're easy to care for and come in unlimited colors and patterns.
- Avoid the add-ons: If you're considering optional accessories like under cabinet lighting, search for more affordable alternatives or see if it's something you can do yourself.
Cabinet Refacing Cost FAQs
Still wondering if cabinet refacing is the kitchen refresh you've been searching for? We answered a few of the most frequently asked questions to help you make your decision.
Is cabinet refacing worth the cost?
Cabinet refacing can completely transform your kitchen's appearance. In fact, this project alone has a 65%-80% return on investment since updated cabinets are a major selling point for most home buyers. In addition, refacing your cabinets can help prolong the life of your cabinets by up to 30 years, so you'll need to replace them far less often.
Can you reface your cabinets without removing the countertops?
You can reface your cabinets without removing the countertops. During the refacing process, the only things that must be removed from the kitchen are the old cabinet doors and drawers. However, many homeowners choose to have their countertops replaced or refaced during this time so all the kitchen updates are completed simultaneously.
How can you tell if your cabinets can be refaced?
Cabinet refacing addresses cosmetic issues, not structural ones. If your cabinet boxes are in good condition - no water damage, cracking, or sagging - then they can be refaced. Even old laminate cabinets or cabinets made of particle board can be sanded smooth and refaced with a new veneer.
If your cabinet boxes are falling apart or you want to update the layout of your kitchen, you'll need to replace your cabinets. Luckily, RTA and assembled kitchen cabinets are a cost-effective way to receive top-quality cabinets without paying tens of thousands of dollars for semi-custom or custom options. Browse our selection of modern and classic kitchen cabinets to find a style you love at a fraction of the cost.
