The average national cost to reface cabinets is $6,740, with most homeowners spending between $4,174 and $9,322. This data is based on actual project costs as reported by HomeAdvisor members.
Give your kitchen or bathroom a new look and save money by refacing your existing cabinetry rather than installing new cabinets. It's amazing what a little veneer and some new doors can do to brighten an old space. The cost to reface cabinets is less than the cost to replace them in most cases. It's also eco-friendlier and less intrusive than full cabinet replacement.
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| Material | Cost | Durability | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid Thermofoil | $1,000-$3,000 | Durable but heat-sensitive; edges/corners vulnerable to chipping | Smooth surface, realistic wood patterns, many style options |
| Laminate | $1,000-$4,000 | Very durable, but can chip/crack over time | Many color options available; limited door/drawer styles |
| Wood Veneer | $2,500-$6,000 | Must be sealed to protect from moisture/drying | Real wood look |
| Solid Wood | $5,000 and up | Can dent and scratch, but can be repaired and refinished | Warm, high-quality look |
Total costs will vary by project based on a number of factors, including the materials used to cover the fronts and sides of your cabinet boxes. The two most common options for this job are plastic laminates and wood veneers.
Wood veneers are sheets and strips of very thin wood material that you can apply to exposed cabinet surfaces. They come in oak, maple, cherry, birch, walnut, and other wood tones. The cost of wood veneer is 10 to 25 percent higher than laminates but once sealed, your cabinets can last years with minimal care.
Plastic laminates come in a wide variety of solid colors, and wood-grain looks. There are two types of laminate: low-pressure laminate, also called melamine, and high-pressure laminate, such as Formica. They are very sturdy and can handle a lot of abuse. Melamine has the advantage of being cheaper but can chip and be less water resistant than high-pressure laminates.
When considering the cost to reface cabinet doors and drawer faces, the more economical option is rigid thermofoil (RTF) on medium-density fiberboard (MDF). RTF is a malleable vinyl foil pressure-molded over MDF doors. It can be shaped and molded over a range of door styles, including arched and cathedral doors, raised panels, and eyebrow-raised panels. It offers the clean look of painted cupboards without brush strokes and can give you the warm look of wood grain without the cost.
Though expensive, solid wood doors offer an authentic, custom look. For many homeowners, solid wood is a sound investment as once installed, you can refinish and repair surface damage, as needed, over time.
To reduce your cabinet refacing cost, consider covering your existing doors with wood veneer or laminate. However, these materials aren't intended to cover surfaces that aren't flat. If you have any amount of detail in the design of your existing doors, this may not be an option. Alongside cost, consider how difficult the work might be and how satisfied you're likely to be with the results. From there choose your materials accordingly.
When gauging expected cost, it's a good idea to budget 7-15% more than the estimate you receive from a professional for any unexpected costs that arise in the refinishing process. For an accurate estimate, you'll need an in-home consultation from a professional. This chart can help you calculate your project total and the cost per linear foot. This example is based on kitchen cabinets that measure 20 linear feet.
| Material/Design Quality | Basic | Better | Best |
| Cost | $1,000-$1,2500 | $1,500-$1,700 | $1,850-$3,000 |
| Average Cost per Linear Ft. | $60 | $80 | $115 |
Cabinets range in price from the most basic design, to more elaborate and durable styles. The exact price will depend on the size of the cabinet, the materials involved, and other decorative qualities. In order to keep costs low, some home owners choose basic refacing materials and designs with the understanding that minor improvements to form and functionality may make easy DIY projects in the future. Home owners interested in avoiding DIY projects and looking to invest in the longevity of their home may choose the best in materials and explore more design options that may increase the cost per square foot.
Cabinet refacing is the replacing of doors and drawer fronts to update the look of your existing cabinets and veneering the cabinet boxes to match. Door and drawer face replacement offers many style and finish options, without changing the layout or structure of the existing cupboards.While refacing cabinets, you might also choose to add other improvements. For example, it is simple to add a lazy Susan in a corner cabinet or roll-out shelving for heavy pots. These simple upgrades allow for more efficient use of existing space.
While this depends on the company doing the refacing and on the size of your space, most refacing can be done in 2-4 days. This is a benefit not only for cost (less labor) but also, you should still be able to use your space while your cabinets are being refaced. Cabinet replacement is more expensive labor, parts and you can't normally use your space while the replacement is going on. Most of the work is done during the day, so you should have full access to your area in the evenings. Ask your contractor if they plan on cleaning up at the end of each day so that you can use your space or if other arrangements will be needed. Clean-up may be an additional cost.
Hire A Pro To Reface Your Cabinets
Hardware replacement (handles, knobs, etc.) is going to be the least expensive part of your project. Very basic cabinet handles range between $5 and $15 each at your local hardware store. The price of basic, no frills knobs are less expensive. The more expensive handles and knobs tend to be more decorative and made of costlier materials. When choosing hardware, consider the functionality as well as the appearance.
Cabinet organizers and accessories will also drive up the cost; however, many opt to reface their cabinets because they then have enough money for a few extras. Think of cookbook rack pull-downs, drawer partitions, Lazy Susans, under-sink storage or a knife rack pull-down. Not only can your kitchen look brand new, it can feel brand new - and organized!
When considering replacing or refacing cabinets, cost can be the biggest factor. The cost to reface kitchen cabinets can be much lower than that to replace them. As a general rule, refacing will run you about half the cost of a full replacement.
If choosing to replace kitchen cabinets, you'll have to cover the cost of removing the existing ones. New cabinets will also have to be bought and installed. Replacement often takes longer and is more intrusive. Whereas the kitchen cabinet refacing cost is more inclusive and includes replacement doors and drawer faces, hardware and supplies, and the labor cost. The total will vary depending on the materials used, the sizes of the project, and any additional options you may want to include.
Refinishing your cabinets, rather than using veneer, is also an option and involves painting or staining the existing wood cabinets. This is often done to repair damaged cabinets. Refinishing costs homeowners an average of $2,500 and is a job best trusted to a professional as mistakes made may result in a costly replacement.
You should also consider convenience and the amount of time required. Refacing can be done quicker and with much less impact on your home and lifestyle.
To reface your cabinets, hire a professional cabinet refacing service to accurately measurements and inspect your cabinet boxes. They can also provide an cost estimate for your specific project. Theyll offer advice on installation, optional upgrades, and hardware choices.
Supplies, Materials, & Tools
To tackle this project yourself, you'll need to line up your supplies and equipment. Here are some of the tools you may need:
- Miter saw: $95
- Brad nail gun: $25
- Cordless drill: $50
- Circular saw: $40
- Caulk gun: $6
- Four-in-one screwdriver: $10
- File: $6
- Forstner drill bits: $20
You will also need these supplies:
- Self-sticking wood veneer: $25
- Veneer scraper: $11
- 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch plywood: $9
- Construction adhesive: $4
- Medium-grit sanding sponge: $4
- Pre-finished doors and drawer fronts: $20 each
- Adjustable cup hinges: $40 per box
- Two-part wood filler: $35
- Denatured alcohol: $8
- Stain pen: $6
- Colored putty: $3.50
- 3/4-inch brad nails: $12
When adding up the DIY cost of cabinet refacing, consider the materials you already have on hand. The more supplies you can find in your garage, the less you'll have to spend.
What is Your Time Worth?
Its a good idea to consider both cost and time commitment when deciding whether to complete the refinishing project on your own. Depending on the size of the kitchen, your experience level, and the number of people helping, a job like this could take three to five days or more. Consider how much your time is worth. If you estimate your time to be worth $15 an hour, you're looking at labor costs of $350 to $600 on top of your equipment, supplies, and materials costs.
Consult A Cabinet Professional
Hiring a professional to reface your cabinets takes the headache and backache out of the task, and when you estimate the total cost of doing it yourself, you might find that hiring a pro is well worth it.
But how can you find the best person or company for the job?
Large retailers like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Sears offer refacing services, as do many local companies that can do the job well and at a great price. Note that price estimates will vary based on the company and any subcontractors used, so always get and compare a few estimates from different pros. Use online reviews to find the right contractor for your project.
When hiring a pro, keep in mind the following:
- Your material and style preferences
- The time frame in which the job should be completed
- The customer reviews for the contractor/professional you've chosen
- Your budget
Communicate your preferences, time frame, and budget and let the contractor you choose upgrade your space, giving you the cabinets want at a price you can afford.
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thanks
cs
thanks
cs
i have same problem. quote from home depot, 20k to reface. yikes. next one 14,k; next one using poor product 10k. still lookng for that 7k reface. been searching for 6 mo.
cs