How Much Does It Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?

What Factors Influence Cabinet Refacing Costs?

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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.

• Cabinet Size (Linear Feet)Average Cost Range (materials & labor)
• 10$900 - $5000
• 15$1350 - $7500
• 20$1800 - $10000
• 25$2250 - $12500

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:

• Type of MaterialEstimated Cost per Linear Foot
• Plastic Laminate$90 - $110
• Rigid Thermofoil Laminate$90 - $110
• High-Quality Veneer$150 - $200
• Natural Wood VeneerAround $455
• Solid Wood$200 - $500

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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

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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:

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.

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  Knobs: Basic ones range from $1 to $30 each, with glass knobs being on the higher end.

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  Pulls/Handles: These range from $1 to $32 each, with stainless steel and glass at the higher end.

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  Hinges: Typically cost between $1 and $25 each.

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

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Whether you choose to replace, repair, refinish, or reface/resurface your kitchen cabinets, the cost can vary for each option. Let’s first understand the differences between these terms:

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  Cabinet Repair: Fixing minor damages like loose hinges, broken handles, or small cracks.

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  Cabinet Refacing: Replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and covering the existing cabinet boxes with a new veneer. This updates the look of your cabinets without changing the layout.

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  Cabinet Replacement: Completely removing the old cabinets and installing new ones, significantly changing the layout and functionality of your kitchen.

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  Cabinet Refinishing: Sanding down the existing finish and applying new paint or stain without replacing any parts.

Here’s a table to help you understand the cost of each process and when you should consider it.

What are the Pros and Cons of Refacing Cabinets?

Refacing cabinets is a popular alternative to completely replacing them. However, it has its own pros and cons that you should be aware of.

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:

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  Compare Multiple Quotes - Get estimates from at least three reputable professionals to ensure you're getting a competitive price.

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  Choose Cost-Effective Materials - Opt for budget-friendly materials like laminate cabinets instead of real wood to save money.

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  Retain Existing Hardware - Keep and clean your cabinet handles and knobs if they’re still in good condition to avoid extra costs.

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  Partial Refacing - Focus on the most visible and worn areas rather than refacing all cabinets.

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  Off-Peak Scheduling - Plan your project during off-peak seasons when contractors may offer lower rates.

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  DIY Demolition - If you're handy, do some preliminary work yourself, like removing old cabinet doors and hardware, to reduce labor costs.

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  Opt for Standard Styles - Choose standard cabinet door designs to avoid the high costs of custom or intricate designs.

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  Buy Materials in Bulk - Purchase materials in bulk for larger projects to reduce the cost per unit.

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  Use Discounts and Promotions - Look out for sales and promotions at home improvement stores to save on materials and hardware.

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  Stick with the Basics - Skip extra features like under-cabinet lighting or glass inserts for now, and upgrade later when you have the budget.

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  Ask for a Warranty - Ensure your contractor offers a warranty on their work to save on future repair costs.

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