How much does cabinet refacing cost?
Cabinet refacing often costs $5,000 - $13,000 for a typical kitchen, or roughly $100 - $455 per linear foot depending on door style, veneer, material, hardware, and kitchen size.
Refacing keeps the existing cabinet boxes but replaces doors and drawer fronts and covers exposed cabinet faces with new veneer or laminate. It is more involved than painting, but less disruptive than full cabinet replacement.
Cabinet refacing cost by scope
Basic laminate refacing
$5,000 - $9,000How to tellSolid cabinet boxes, same layout, budget-friendly surface update
The fixReplace doors/drawer fronts and cover visible box faces with laminate
Wood veneer refacing
$7,000 - $15,000+How to tellHigher-end finish, wood look, more finish choices
The fixInstall veneer on cabinet faces plus new doors and drawer fronts
New hardware and hinges
$300 - $2,500+ add-onHow to tellSoft-close hinges, pulls, knobs, slides, or hidden hardware upgrades
The fixReplace hardware as part of refacing scope
Minor cabinet modifications
$500 - $5,000+ add-onHow to tellAdd trash pull-out, rollouts, crown, panels, or small storage upgrades
The fixModify existing boxes where possible without rebuilding layout
Boxes, layout, or water damage do not support refacing
Replacement often $10,000 - $40,000+How to tellCabinet boxes are swollen, sagging, poorly laid out, or made from failing material
The fixReplace cabinets instead of covering damaged boxes
Before choosing cabinet refacing
- Open every cabinet and check boxes for swelling, loose joints, water damage, sagging shelves, and bad drawer slides.
- Ask whether new doors, drawer fronts, veneer/laminate, hinges, pulls, knobs, crown, panels, and soft-close hardware are included.
- Compare refacing against cabinet painting and full cabinet replacement using the same kitchen layout.
- Confirm whether countertop removal is needed. Refacing often works best when counters stay in place.
Unlock the hiring checklist
Use this before you call a cabinet and countertop, so you know what to ask and what to avoid.
Call a pro when…
- Cabinet boxes are solid but doors and visible faces look outdated
- You like the kitchen layout and do not need major storage changes
- Painting will not deliver the finish or durability you want
- You want new doors and drawer fronts without a full cabinet tear-out
- You need hardware, hinges, or pull-outs upgraded at the same time
Repair or replace?
Refacing is worth considering when the boxes and layout are good. Paint is cheaper when the existing doors are good and only the finish is tired. Full replacement is better when boxes are damaged, layout is poor, storage is inadequate, or you are already moving plumbing, walls, appliances, or flooring.
Need a cleaner scope before you call around?
Use the cabinets and countertops checklist to compare the same work, questions, cleanup, and warranty before choosing a local company.
Related questions
Is cabinet refacing cheaper than replacing cabinets?
Usually yes, because the boxes stay in place. The savings shrink when you choose premium doors, add many accessories, or discover that the cabinet boxes are not worth keeping.
Is refacing better than painting cabinets?
Refacing gives you new doors and drawer fronts, so it can change the style more than paint. Painting is cheaper if doors and boxes are sound and you only need a color refresh.
Can all cabinets be refaced?
No. Cabinets need solid boxes, a layout worth keeping, and surfaces that can accept veneer or laminate. Water-damaged, sagging, or poor-layout cabinets are better candidates for replacement.