The average cost to reface kitchen cabinets is between $4,292-$9,974, with the project cost being dependent on the number of cabinets being refaced, materials, and local labor rates. Refacing kitchen cabinets involves removing cabinet doors and hardware and applying a new laminate or veneer finish, doors and drawers, and hardware as well as making minor repairs to the cabinets. Refacing kitchen cabinets is an appealing kitchen remodeling alternative due to cost savings, but it may not be the best option if existing cabinets are damaged, don’t operate well, or the kitchen needs a better layout. Refacing kitchen cabinets is more to update the look rather than functionality or overall design.
There are three options for updating kitchen cabinets: refacing, replacing, and refinishing. Refacing cabinets costs between $4,000 to $9,000, which is approximately 30-50 percent less than replacing kitchen cabinets. The existing cabinets are given a new color or texture; new doors, drawers, and hardware; and minor damage is fixed. The existing cabinet boxes remain and a new veneer surface is applied. Replacing kitchen cabinets allows for redesigning an existing layout and adding or removing cabinets. When you replace cabinets, the entire cabinet box is removed. The cost to replace kitchen cabinets (not including other remodeling costs) is between $4,500 to at least $18,000. Refinishing kitchen cabinets is the least expensive option with the existing cabinets being resurfaced with new paint or stain. Factors that impact the cost of refacing kitchen cabinets include the quality of materials used to refacing, size of the kitchen and number of cabinets, local labor rates, adding accessories such as lighting or molding, new hardware, and if the countertops are replaced. Learn about the options for updating kitchen cabinets as part of a kitchen remodel and factors that impact the project cost.