Cabinet Refacing Cost

Updated October 22, 2026 · General information from Kitchen Cabinet Cost

Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes in place and replaces what you see: doors, drawer fronts, and usually hinges and hardware. The exposed face frames and end panels are covered with a matching veneer or laminate. Done well, it gives the look of a new kitchen without tearing out countertops or changing plumbing.

Typical refacing costs

Estimates only. Broad typical ranges based on published contractor and industry cost guides; actual prices vary widely by location, materials, and scope. Get written quotes.

What is usually included

• New doors and drawer fronts in your chosen style.
• Veneer or laminate applied to face frames and exposed cabinet sides.
• New hinges (often soft-close) and new knobs or pulls.
• Matching trim such as crown molding, toe kick, and end panels, if specified.

Common add-ons include new drawer boxes with better slides, roll-out shelves, a new cabinet or two to fill a gap, and replacing a sink base that has water damage. Each add-on raises the price, so ask for them as separate lines.

Is your kitchen a good candidate?

Refacing works best when:

• The boxes are solid, square, and dry. Swollen particleboard under a sink or a sagging cabinet is a warning sign.
• You like your layout and are not moving appliances or the sink.
• Your countertops are staying, or you are replacing them separately without changing cabinet sizes.
• The cabinets have face frames. Frameless (European-style) cabinets can be refaced too, but the process is different, so ask about experience with your type.

It is usually a poor fit when the layout does not work, boxes are damaged, or you plan to change the footprint. In those cases the money is often better spent on replacement. See reface vs. refinish vs. replace.

How the process typically goes

1. Measurement visit. The refacer measures every door and drawer and checks box condition.
2. Ordering. Doors and veneer are ordered; lead times are commonly a few weeks.
3. Installation. Old doors come off, surfaces are prepped, veneer goes on, then new doors, fronts, and hardware. Many kitchens are done in a few days, and you can usually keep using the kitchen in between.

Questions to ask a refacing company

• Is the veneer real wood, laminate, or thermofoil, and how thick is it?
• What happens to the inside of the cabinets? (Interiors are usually not refaced unless you pay extra.)
• Are drawer boxes and slides replaced or reused?
• Who makes the doors, and what warranty covers peeling or delamination?
• Is the price for the full scope, including trim and hardware?

Refacing vs. painting

Painting is usually cheaper than refacing but does not change the door style. If you like your doors' shape and they are solid wood or good MDF, see painting and refinishing costs. If you want a different style, such as going from raised panel to flat Shaker, refacing or replacing is the way to get it.

Frequently asked questions

Is refacing cheaper than new cabinets?

Usually, when compared with new semi-custom or custom cabinets of similar quality, because the boxes, countertops, and plumbing stay. Very inexpensive stock cabinets can sometimes cost about the same as a high-end refacing job, so compare both.

How long does refacing last?

It depends on the materials and installation. Wood veneer and well-made doors can last a long time. Thermofoil can peel near heat sources such as ovens and toasters. Ask about the warranty.

Can I reface cabinets myself?

Some homeowners do with peel-and-stick veneer and ordered doors, but getting clean edges and aligned doors takes skill and tools. Mistakes with veneer are hard to undo.

Do I need to remove my countertops to reface?

Generally no. That is one of the main advantages of refacing.

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