“Good bones” or “gotta go?” We’ll help you decide
Wondering about the cost of refacing kitchen cabinets vs. replacing them? Your decision will ultimately come down to your budget, the condition of your current cabinets, and your overall design aesthetic. With cabinet refacing, you’ll add new doors and drawers to cabinet boxes for a fresh, updated look. With a total cabinet replacement, you’ll completely replace the cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers to create the kitchen of your dreams. Our guide will help you decide whether to go with cabinet refacing vs. new cabinets.
Cabinet refacing involves replacing the “skin” of the cabinet while keeping its interior structure. This typically means changing out the doors and drawer fronts, followed by swapping out the cabinet hardware (aka, the handles and pulls that add functional bling). Then, all exterior surfaces get covered with either laminate or wood veneers to match.
Kitchen cabinet refacing is a good option if:
Your cabinets are in good condition inside and out.
You like the look and function of your existing cabinets.
The doors are a bit dated, but a new kitchen cabinet door style with updated hardware would make a big difference.
You like the existing layout of your kitchen, including the space, flow, appliance locations, and cabinet size.
Gives your kitchen a brand new look
Less expensive than complete cabinet replacement
Creates less waste, which is better for the environment
Less messy than a full cabinet replacement
Strong return on investment when you’re ready to sell
Fast turnaround time—usually takes 3 to 5 days to complete
Tough project to DIY
Cannot change the kitchen layout
Design options are limited
Replacing hardware and hinges can be costly
The inside of cabinet boxes cannot be changed
Will not work for older, damaged cabinets
Cabinet replacement is an overhaul of both the interior structure and the outside appearance of the cabinets. A cabinet replacement entails removing the whole box and cabinet system—essentially wiping the slate clean and making room for a new setup.
Kitchen cabinet replacement is a good option if:
You are fully remodeling your kitchen and are changing its layout.
You need more space or cabinet functionality.
Your kitchen has sustained some type of damage, and the cabinets or walls have become rotten, moldy, or unstable.
Brand new cabinetry inside and out
Creates an entirely new layout
Tons of design options and special features
Easier project to DIY
Provides a great return on investment when you’re ready to sell
Higher cost than cabinet refacing
Takes an average of 6 weeks to complete, so you’ll have no usable kitchen for some time
The customization costs can add up quickly
Project is much more complex and time-consuming
You’ll likely also need to replace countertops, lighting, flooring, and the kitchen sink
Creates more waste, which is worse for the environment
Saving money is an attractive perk, but that doesn’t always mean cabinet refacing is the best investment. A local cabinet refacing contractor can help navigate your options and provide a cost estimate for your budgeting. In the meantime, here are some points to consider when deciding what will work for your setup.
Is the structure of your existing cabinets solid, or do they sag under a full stack of plates? If you have doubts about the overall condition of your cabinetry, cabinet refacing is probably not going to serve you well. You might be happy for a little while, but when that pesky shelf falls again, you’ll probably wish you’d sprung for the replacement.
If you always bonk your cereal cabinet when reaching for a pan, or you don’t have enough room for your fabulous coffee mug collection, cabinet refacing won’t address these annoyances. For more storage space and better functionality, you’re better off choosing the total replacement.
However, if you’ve perfected the workflow of your existing layout and would like to maintain your kitchen’s overall design, refacing your cabinets is worth considering.
Refacing your cabinets usually takes a few days at most, while replacing them altogether calls for more time and labor. This equates not only to extra costs but extra time without your kitchen as well. But on the plus side, it’s the perfect excuse to order takeout on repeat.
Cabinet refacing is more limited in style choices than what you’d get with a replacement (you’re retaining your existing cabinets, after all). Meanwhile, purchasing new means you can take your pick from different cabinet styles in a cornucopia of finishes and colors. Many selections are available in both stock and custom offerings. If funds and time aren’t factors, you may want to go all-in on an all-new kitchen that’s uniquely you.
You can expect your cabinet refacing cost to run between $4,495 and $10,558. Your total cost will depend on the scope of the work, materials, the number of cabinets, and hardware replacements.
For a full cabinet replacement, your kitchen remodel cost will run from $14,608 to $41,376. Your total cost will depend on the kitchen size, materials, and the project's complexity.
Cabinet refacing is much more difficult to DIY than a full cabinet replacement. Cabinet refacing requires expertise in veneering, which is a difficult skill to learn. That’s why we recommend hiring a pro: They’ll have the knowledge, experience, and proper tools and supplies to ensure your cabinet refacing project goes off without a hitch. Cabinet replacement, on the other hand, is much more DIY-friendly. You can tackle this project yourself with carpentry skills and the right tools and supplies.
You can refinish your kitchen cabinets instead of refacing if all exterior surfaces are in good shape (doors and drawer fronts included). There are also other DIY kitchen cabinet upgrade ideas that can change up your kitchen’s look for even less. For example, the cost to install new cabinet hardware is typically far less than refacing but can still make a big impact. Refinishing can also yield beautiful results—with the right planning and prepping, of course.
The cost to stain your cabinets or paint them will run you a lot less than refacing, but your options depend on your current cabinets. Some materials aren’t good candidates for staining, such as the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) used in many solid-color cabinets. On the other hand, oak cabinets aren’t likely to accept a solid color without showing the grain.
Deciding whether to go with cabinet refacing vs. new cabinets is something for homeowners to decide through their own personal pros and cons list. Ultimately, though, it comes down to budget and the condition of your current kitchen cabinets. If your cabinets are well over 20 years old and in poor condition, it makes sense to replace them entirely. However, if your cabinet boxes are in good condition but you want to freshen up the room with new doors and drawer fronts, then cabinet refacing is your best bet. Whatever route you choose, just make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Alison Kasch contributed to this piece.
Cabinet refacing costs around 30% to 50% less than replacing custom or semi-custom cabinets. If your existing cabinets weren’t expensive, or if they have structural issues, then you’ll be better off with a complete replacement.
Salvaging your existing cabinetry might save money, but all-new cabinetry might be a better value for some kitchens. Cabinet doors and drawers are the most expensive part of the remodel, so it might be worth it to opt for the new ones. It’s wise to compare it to the cost of installing new cabinets before you make your decision.
