Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost
Refacing changes the visible cabinet system while retaining the existing cabinet boxes and usually the layout. It is more substantial than painting but less disruptive than full replacement. The option only works when the retained boxes, mounting, and configuration are worth building around.
What refacing usually changes
A refacing scope may include removing doors, drawer fronts, and hinges; preparing exposed surfaces; applying new exterior coverings; trimming them to fit; installing new doors, fronts, hinges, and handles; and adding optional crown, valances, or storage accessories. Sellers use “refacing” and “resurfacing” differently, so ask for the exact process and materials.
What normally remains
- cabinet boxes and interior layout;
- wall and floor relationships;
- much of the existing storage geometry;
- plumbing, electrical, appliance, and ventilation locations;
- potentially some interior shelves and hardware.
Retained does not mean inspected. Swollen, loose, delaminated, poorly mounted, or repeatedly wet boxes can make refacing a poor investment.
Main cost drivers
- number and size of doors and drawer fronts;
- coverings, veneer, or finish system;
- new doors, fronts, hinges, pulls, and specialty hardware;
- exposed ends, fillers, toe kicks, trim, crown, and valances;
- repairs, access, protection, removal, delivery, and installation;
- organizers or layout changes added to the base scope.
HomeStars and Home Depot Canada publish Canadian market guidance, but the available evidence uses commercial or marketplace definitions rather than a neutral national schedule. Verify current local CAD pricing and separate base refacing from optional upgrades. U.S. pricing must be researched directly.
Refacing versus painting
Painting or refinishing may preserve the existing doors and surface preparation may be lighter or heavier depending on the coating. Refacing changes more visible components and can produce a new door style, but it adds product, fitting, and hardware cost. Neither solves a failing cabinet box or a layout that no longer works.
Older painted cabinets
EPA guidance says paid renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs painted surfaces in many pre-1978 U.S. homes may require lead-safe practices and certified contractors. Health Canada also warns about lead paint in older Canadian homes. These are high-consequence screening and professional-referral issues; do not treat a refacing quote as a hazardous-material assessment.
Compare the quote
Require a measured door and drawer schedule, retained-box assumptions, covering and finish description, hardware list, end-panel and trim treatment, repairs, protection, disposal, warranty, exclusions, and change-order terms. A refacing quote is strongest when it states why the existing boxes are suitable and what happens if concealed damage is found.
Bottom line
Refacing can be a sensible middle path when the layout works and the boxes are sound. Its value comes from retaining a suitable cabinet structure, not from a fixed percentage saving. Compare the complete visible result with painting, door-only replacement, repair, and full replacement.