How Much Does It Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?
One of the biggest hurdles in updating your kitchen is the potential cost. While a full remodel can be expensive and time-consuming, refacing your kitchen cabinets offers a cost-effective solution that can give your kitchen a fresh, new look. But just how much does it cost to reface kitchen cabinets, and is it worth the investment?
Refacing kitchen cabinets typically costs between $1,350 and $12,500, with an average of about $6,925. The final price depends on factors like the size of your kitchen and cabinets, local labor costs, materials used, and cabinet hardware.
In this article, we’ll break down all the factors that can impact the overall cost and share some tried-and-true tips to help you save money.
What Factors Influence Cabinet Refacing Costs?
According to a Statista survey, 85% of respondents revealed they upgraded their cabinets, making it one of the major kitchen feature upgrades in the USA for 2023/2024.
Given this trend, it’s important to understand what influences the cost of cabinet refacing. You can make informed decisions for your kitchen upgrade by breaking down these factors.
Cost by Linear Foot
The bigger your kitchen, the more cabinets it will likely have, which means higher material and labor costs.
Most contractors charge on the basis of the total linear square feet of your cabinets. Including both materials and labor, you can expect to pay between $90 to $500 per linear foot.
However, if you’re DIYing, you may only need to pay around $36 to $200 per linear foot for materials.
Type of Materials
When refacing your kitchen cabinets, you’ll probably replace your old cabinet doors and drawer fronts. The material you choose will greatly impact the price of the cabinet refacing. Here are some common types of materials to consider:
Plastic Laminate
Plastic laminate is one of the most affordable options, typically costing between $90 and $110 per linear foot. It's durable and available in various colors but might chip or crack over time.
This material is also easy to install, as it can easily wrap around corners, making it a good choice for DIY projects.
Rigid Thermofoil Laminate
Rigid thermofoil laminate is another option with a similar cost to plastic laminate, ranging from $90 to $110 per linear foot. Cleaning it is a breeze, and it comes in a wide range of colors.
This material mimics the look of wood and can be made from Formica or melamine. However, melamine may not be the best choice for homeowners in hot or humid climates because it's sensitive to heat and vulnerable to moisture.
High-Quality Veneer
High-quality veneers, made from synthetic or engineered materials, offer a more natural look compared to laminates by mimicking real wood. They are available in multiple colors and finishes.
This mid-range option costs between $150 and $200 per linear foot on average. High-quality veneers are generally more durable than lower-grade ones and offer some resistance to scratches and moisture.
Natural Wood Veneer
Natural wood veneer, made from thin slices of real wood like oak, maple, or cherry, costs around $455 per linear foot.
It provides the authentic look and feel of real wood with unique grain patterns and variations.
Though more durable than lower-quality materials, natural wood veneers can be more susceptible to moisture and scratches compared to engineered veneers.
Solid Wood
The most premium and expensive option, solid wood refacing, costs between $200 and $500 per linear foot.
This involves using real wood for cabinet doors and drawer fronts, offering a highly durable and visually appealing finish. Moreover, it’s easy to refinish and repair solid wood over the years.
Geographic Location
Where you live can also affect the final cost of refacing kitchen cabinets, as material and labor costs can vary by location.
Typically, costs are lower in rural and suburban areas compared to urban areas. Even within a metropolitan city, rates can differ from one neighborhood to another.
For example, the average refacing cost in Boise, Idaho, is around $2,640, while in New York City, it’s about $7,630.
Labor Cost
Labor costs generally make up about 60% of the total cost of kitchen cabinet refacing. So, if a homeowner spends around $6,925 on refacing, up to $4,155 will go toward labor, which is a significant portion!
The refacing process includes several steps such as measuring, removing doors and drawers, sanding, prepping surfaces, applying new veneers, and installing new doors and hardware.
Labor costs vary widely based on the project’s complexity, your kitchen’s size, and the labor rates in your area.
For example, if your kitchen has intricate designs or tight spaces, labor costs may be higher due to the extra time and effort required.
Similarly, materials like solid wood or high-quality veneers need more precision and time to install compared to cheaper materials like laminate, which can also drive up labor costs.
Cost Add-Ons Related to Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
When refacing your kitchen cabinets, you might also consider a few simple upgrades to give your kitchen a fresh, new look. Let’s look at the most common ones:
Refinishing Countertops
Some homeowners opt to refinish their countertops after refacing old kitchen cabinets to achieve a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look.
If you’re considering this, refinishing countertops can cost between $300 and $500, depending on the size and type of counters.
This ensures that everything blends well in the kitchen, making your cooking space look flawless.
Cabinet Accessories
You can make your kitchen more appealing and functional with a few additional upgrades. Here are some common options to consider:
| Kitchen Upgrade Options | Average Cost Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Under cabinet lighting | $230 - $300 per light | Lighting installed under cabinets for better visibility and ambiance |
| Crown molding | $12 - $20 per linear foot | Decorative trim placed where the ceiling and walls meet |
| Glass cabinet inserts | $150 - $200 per door | Glass panels for cabinet doors to display items inside |
| Pullout trash cans | $70 - $200 | Hidden trash cans that pull out for easy access |
| Lazy Susans | $80 - $300 | Rotating trays to maximize corner cabinet storage space |
| Built-in wine racks | $500 - $3,000 | Custom storage for wine bottles integrated into cabinetry |
| Spice storage | $70 - $600 | Organized space for storing spices, often with pull-out shelves |
Hardware Replacements
Replacing kitchen cabinet hardware typically includes knobs, pulls/handles, and hinges.
The cost of replacing hardware can range from $100 to $1,000, depending on your chosen style.
Updating the hardware alongside your cabinet refacing can give your kitchen a beautiful, complete look.
Backsplash Installation
Backsplash installation involves placing a protective and decorative panel on the wall behind a countertop. This protects the wall from moisture, grease, and stains while enhancing the kitchen’s aesthetic.
Backsplash installation usually ranges from $200 to $2,000, depending on the material and the size of the area.
You can save on labor costs by choosing a peel-and-stick backsplash and installing it yourself. This is also the cheapest material option compared to tile, metal, and natural stone.
Refacing vs. Replacing vs. Repairing vs. Refinishing Cabinets Cost
| Service | Cost Range | Professional Required? | Time Required | When to Get It Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Repair | $300 - $500 | Not Always | 1 - 2 days | When cabinets are structurally sound but damaged |
| Cabinet Refacing | $1,350 - $12,500 | Yes | 3 - 5 days | When cabinets are in good condition but outdated |
| Cabinet Replacing | $2,200 - $24,600 | Yes | 1 - 2 weeks | When cabinets are severely damaged or outdated |
| Cabinet Refinishing | $775 on average | Not Always | 2 - 3 days | When you want a cost-effective update to aesthetics |
What are the Pros and Cons of Refacing Cabinets?
Pros & Cons of Refacing Cabinets
Cost-Effective: Refacing is generally more affordable than replacing cabinets, costing 30-50% less than a full replacement.
Time-Saving: The process is quicker, usually taking 3 to 5 days compared to several weeks for a full replacement.
Eco-Friendly: Refacing is an environmentally-friendly option as it minimizes the need for new materials, resulting in less waste going to the landfill.
Less Disruptive: You can continue using your kitchen during the refacing process, unlike full replacement.
Style Options: There are plenty of options available for the material you choose when refacing your cabinets, including color, style, and texture.
- Limited Design Changes: Refacing does not allow for significant changes to the cabinet layout or structure. It only updates the exterior look, which can be a limitation if you're looking for a major transformation.
- Not Suitable for Damaged Cabinets: Refacing isn't ideal for cabinets with structural damage. Cabinets with water damage, broken frames, or other significant issues typically need replacement.
- Interior Remains the Same: Refacing does not alter the interior of the cabinets. If you need improved storage solutions or updated interiors, additional work will be required.
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?
While you can save up to 60% of the total project cost by DIY-ing, you need to be an expert and skilled DIYer to ensure the job is done correctly.
Refacing kitchen cabinets yourself can take up several days. The process can be even harder if you’re not working with laminate. You’ll need all the necessary tools, such as a table saw, glue, and application tools, and experience using them.
However, if you don’t have the tools, time, skills, experience, and precision for a DIY job, it’s best to hire a professional. A pro can complete the job quickly while ensuring a higher quality finish, saving you time and effort and preventing costly mistakes down the road.
Budget-Friendly Tips To Save on Cabinet Refacing Costs
You can use these tips to save money on cabinet refacing:
Conclusion
The cost to reface kitchen cabinets can vary from $1,350 to $12,500. What you end up paying depends on factors like your kitchen’s size, the number of cabinets, the materials used, labor costs, and where you live.
We highly recommend hiring a professional to ensure the job is done right. You can use the HomeBuddy tool to find a local expert. It will ask you a few project-related questions and provide a free quote for kitchen cabinet refacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Refacing kitchen cabinets is often worth it if you like your current layout, as it provides a cost-effective and less disruptive way to update your kitchen’s appearance. It’s ideal for well-constructed cabinets and can save you 30-50% compared to replacement.
- No, you do not need to remove countertops when refacing cabinets. Refacing involves replacing doors and drawer fronts and applying new veneer to existing cabinet boxes, which remain in place beneath the countertops. This approach avoids disrupting the countertops, saving time and reducing costs.
- You should reface your cabinets every 15 to 20 years. The longevity of refaced cabinets depends on the original quality and how well they are maintained. Proper care can extend their lifespan significantly, often making refacing a one-time project for many homeowners.
- Refacing cabinets typically takes between 3 to 5 days for a professional to complete, depending on the size of the kitchen and the number of cabinets. Larger kitchens or more complex projects may take slightly longer. DIY projects can take up to a week or more.
