Is Cabinet Refacing Worth the Price? A Home Reno Pro Breaks Down the Cost

Cabinet refacing upgrades a kitchen or bathroom without the high cost or disruption of complete cabinet replacement. On average, a full-size kitchen with about 30 feet of cabinets costs $8,300 for cabinet refacing.

Cost by Linear Foot

The average cabinet refacing cost is about $275 per linear foot, but costs can range from $100 to $455 per linear foot. Estimating costs with this method is valuable since all kitchens and bathrooms have different sizes.

How Does Cabinet Refacing Work?

Cabinet refacing keeps the cabinet boxes and drawers while replacing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Wood or laminate veneer is applied to all visible areas of the cabinet boxes.

Cabinet refacing takes about five days and is done on-site in your kitchen or bathroom.

• Demo and removal: Refacing technicians remove cabinet doors, drawer fronts, trim, molding, toe-kicks, and cabinet crown molding. There is usually no need to remove the cabinets; they remain in place.

• Apply the panels: Cut-to-size hardwood panels are applied to the cabinet sides and the back of the kitchen island and peninsula.

• Apply the veneer: The veneer is cut on-site and applied to the cabinet faces and other visible areas.

• Finishing: The insides of the cabinets are painted to complement the exterior cabinet design. Crown molding may be applied to the tops of the cabinets.

• Install fixtures: The new doors are placed on the cabinets, new drawer fronts are attached, and new cabinet hinges and other hardware and fixtures are installed, too.

Cost by Material

Wood veneer and laminate are the most common materials for cabinet refacing. The two materials not only cost differently—they also give the kitchen or bath a different look and feel.

Wood Veneer

Wood veneer costs an average of $4,250 per project, or $140 to $280 per linear foot.

Solid, cut-to-size 1/4-inch-thick hardwood panels are applied to cabinet sides and other large areas. Thin pressure-sensitive veneer (PSV) made of natural wood is cut on-site and applied to cabinet faces.

Wood veneer refacing blends well with traditional or classic styles. Many popular hardwood species are available in wood veneer: walnut, red oak, birch, maple, cherry, mahogany, and more.

Laminate

Laminate costs an average of $1,000 to $3,000 per project, or $80 to $100 per linear foot.

Much like wood veneer, 1/4-inch-thick laminate panels are pre-cut off-site and then applied to cabinet sides. Heat- or pressure-sensitive veneer is applied to cabinet faces.

Laminate veneer in solid colors complements modern or contemporary styles.

Additional Factors to Consider

Additional factors, like cabinet size and options like crown molding, can affect cabinet refacing costs, too.

Cabinet Size

The standard dimension of kitchen base cabinets is 34-1/2 inches high, so only their length (horizontally) will affect the refacing cost.

Most wall cabinets are 32 or 36 inches tall, leaving a gap at the top of the cabinets. But your cabinets may run to the ceiling. Pantry cabinets may be 96 inches tall.

Crown Molding

Crown molding is often installed along the tops of kitchen wall cabinets to hide the open upper space.

Cabinet refacing companies typically will re-install crown molding or install new crown molding. Or, install crown molding on the cabinets by yourself for about $50 per 6 linear feet.

Refacing vs. Repair vs. Replacement Costs

Cabinet refacing is a more substantial refresh than repairing and painting the cabinets but less substantial (and less costly) than installing new kitchen cabinets.

Cabinet Repair and Painting

Painting kitchen cabinets costs between $30 and $60 per linear foot. Many cabinet painting projects involve minor repairs, such as filling cracks or replacing hinges. Cabinet painting is DIY-friendly, and clean cabinets in good condition can even be painted without sanding.

Cabinet Replacement

Replacing your cabinets with new kitchen cabinets costs from $100 to $650 per linear foot. Stock cabinets permit few design variations and cost $150 to $300 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets come in set dimensions but have many design and style choices. These cost up to $650 per linear foot.

Pros and Cons

Cabinet refacing is an affordable solution for homeowners who are already satisfied with their kitchen cabinet layout, but mainly want to refresh the style.

The process works well for cabinets still in good shape, since they must be solid to receive the refacing veneer. It’s also a good solution for cabinets with poor doors and drawer fronts since they are replaced. Some materials are sent to the landfill with cabinet refacing, but far less than with cabinet replacement.

Remember that cabinet refacing does not expand your cabinet layout and won’t improve the structural condition of the cabinets. Cabinet hinges and drawer slides are usually replaced, so there is a minor functional improvement.

Pros

• Budget-friendly

• Less disruptive

• Less waste

Cons

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro Cabinet Refacing Costs

Cabinet refacing can be a do-it-yourself project, but only for highly experienced DIYers or those willing to learn.

Pressure-sensitive wood veneer for the cabinet sides costs about $4 to $6 per square foot. Hot-melt edge banding for some narrow sections costs about $20 to $30 for 50 linear feet. Edge banding can be applied with an ordinary clothes iron.

Veneering on the narrow sections of cabinet faces is particularly difficult. Learning how to veneer on less noticeable cabinets (in the garage or a utility room) is worthwhile before attempting it in the kitchen.

With this steep learning curve and the high cost of tools ($50 for a band veneer trimmer, $30 to $40 for a veneer roller, plus other specialized tools), most homeowners hire an experienced cabinet refacing company.

How To Save Money on Cabinet Refacing

You can save even money on cabinet refacing with these tips:

• Use laminate, not wood: Laminate veneer is less expensive for refacing than natural wood veneer.

• Provide the hardware: If you like your current cabinet and drawer pulls, reuse them. Alternatively, you can purchase your own hardware rather than purchasing through the cabinet refacing company.

• Get multiple quotes: Obtain three or more cabinet refacing estimates.

• Check the warranty: Ensure the limited warranty covers materials and labor. If the cabinet veneer begins to peel within the warranty period, the company should cover all repair costs—not you.

When to Reface Your Cabinets

Reface your cabinets after they have become stale and dated to you, but don’t let them get so old that the boxes falling apart. If the cabinet boxes are not structurally sound, the veneer will not stick to the surface or remain durable. Cabinet refacing companies will not repair the cabinet boxes.

For the best cabinet refacing costs, talk to local companies about lulls in activity where they might agree to give you a discounted rate. Holiday periods typically are light periods for home improvement work.

Additional Projects

Cabinet refacing is often done alongside related kitchen or bath projects such as:

• Countertop installation: Kitchen and bath countertops cost from $1,870 to $4,400, on up to $10,000 or more for premium materials like quartz or granite.

• Flooring: High-end flooring can cost up to $30 per square foot, but there are inexpensive options, too, like luxury vinyl flooring, which costs $2 to $7 per square foot.

• Sinks: Kitchen sinks range from $180 for a standard-size double-basin stainless steel sink to $600 to $1,200 for full-service sink workstations with amenities like a cutting board, drying rack, colander, and serving board.

Read the original article on The Spruce.