How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Cabinet refacing costs an average of $7,100, and most homeowners pay between $4,500 and $11,000. Cabinet refacing costs for a bathroom or a single island in a kitchen can fall as low as $1,500, while refacing in a larger kitchen can climb as high as $15,000. Prices depend on how many cabinets you need to reface, the layout of the cabinets, and the quality of the materials you choose.

Quick Takeaways

• The average cost to reface kitchen cabinets is $7,100, while refacing bathroom cabinets averages around $1,500.

• If you have hardwood cabinets, refinishing them is a more affordable and appealing option, with a total cost of around $3,500.

• It’s possible to DIY your cabinet refacing project, but the process is involved, and a lot can go wrong. Hire a pro for the best results.

Cost to Reface Cabinets

What is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing, also known as cabinet resurfacing, provides a refreshed look but does not change the shape or layout of the cabinets. It’s a relatively easy process that can make a big impact on the look and feel of a room.

During a cabinet refacing project, a contractor will remove all doors, drawer fronts, and end panels and will paint or stain them, as well as touch up cabinet boxes as needed. Then, everything is reattached, and often, new hardware is installed to complete the look.

Cabinet Refacing Costs per Linear Foot

The average cost to reface cabinets per linear foot ranges from $160 to $1,000, with an average of $200 per linear square foot, including materials and labor. 

Prices will sit near the bottom of that range if your cabinets are in good shape before the refacing, and they’ll push toward the higher end if you choose hardwood refacing and need some repairs or if your cabinet layout is complicated and takes your pro more time to complete the job.

You can also estimate your costs based on the number of cabinets, although these numbers can vary more due to different cabinets and cabinet door sizes. The average cabinet refacing cost per door is $400.

Cost to Reface Cabinets by Material

You can expect to spend between $80 to $500 per linear foot of cabinets on materials alone to reface cabinets. Where your price falls in that range depends entirely on the refacing material you choose.

Rigid thermofoil (RTF) is the most common material and costs between $80 and $120 per linear foot of cabinet you’re covering. Wood veneer tends to look better and is more resistant to moisture and water, but it costs about twice as much, with prices ranging from $100 up to $250 per linear foot of cabinet. Solid wood is the most luxurious and longest-lasting option, but it can cost between $200 and $500 per linear foot of cabinet.

Cost to Reface Cabinets by Location

Refacing cabinets in a kitchen costs an average of $7,100, while refacing cabinets in a bathroom costs closer to $1,500. The material costs per linear foot of cabinet will be more or less identical, but kitchens have an average of 25 to 30 feet of cabinets — including upper and base cabinets — and bathrooms have around 3 linear feet.

Average Labor Cost to Resurface Cabinets

Labor accounts for around 50% of the cost to resurface cabinets. That means labor costs an average of around $3,550 for kitchen cabinet resurfacing and $750 for bathroom cabinet resurfacing. Labor costs can increase up to 60% if you have a complex cabinet layout or if the surfaces need extensive repairs before resurfacing.

Is Cabinet Refacing Worth It?

Cabinet resurfacing provides a near-instant facelift for your kitchen or bathroom, so it can be a worthwhile home improvement project. It’s especially worth the money if you’re on a tight budget or if your existing cabinets are in good physical condition and just need an aesthetic update. 

With refacing, you’ll spend less than you would replacing your cabinets, and your professional can complete the job in just a few days, whereas ordering new cabinets can take weeks or even months. You can also still access your kitchen while the work is being done.

However, cabinet refacing does not address any underlying issues with the cabinets themselves. It will not add extra support to a deteriorating box or fix things like sagging shelves. This is a cosmetic update only, not a structural one. 

Refacing also won’t address issues with the layout and functionality. A cramped space or a poor working triangle won’t benefit from refacing. To address these issues, you need a full kitchen remodel.

Cabinet Maintenance

Cabinet resurfacing can last for 10 to 20 years when done by a professional, and the material typically won’t call for much maintenance. Once your cabinets are resurfaced or refaced, you can care for them with regular cleaning and repairs on an as-needed basis. 

Wash them with a simple soap and water solution regularly to remove dust, debris, food grease, or other residue. Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, and clean up spills right away.

Refacing vs. Refinishing Cabinets

Refinishing cabinets costs around $3,500, on average, while the cost of cabinet refacing is about $7,100 for the same amount of cabinetry. 

Refinishing is really only a viable option for hardwood cabinetry and some plywood cabinets. If your cabinet material is melamine, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), particle board, or laminate, you won’t be able to sand the surface, so refacing is the only option aside from a replacement.

Replacing vs. Refacing Cabinets

The average cost to reface cabinets is $200 per linear foot using the standard RTF materials, and prices range from $160 to $240 in most cases. Replacing cabinets costs an average of $300 per linear foot but can range from $100 to $500 per linear foot. Unless you’re choosing high-end hardwood refacing materials, refacing to achieve a fresh look will almost always be a more affordable option.

Cabinet replacement is not only more expensive just for the cabinets, but it’s also much more invasive, involves many other additional costs, and takes much longer than simply refacing. 

With a full replacement, the old cabinets are completely removed, and the flooring, plumbing, and electrical are updated to accommodate the new layout. Then, the new cabinets and plumbing are installed, followed by the counters, and, finally, the appliances. 

This can add thousands to your kitchen remodel costs and can take a few weeks from start to finish, during which time you will not have a working kitchen. This is in contrast to the two to four days that refacing takes.

With that being said, cabinet refacing isn’t right for every kitchen. If the layout doesn't work for your needs, or if the space is cramped, then refacing won’t help this. Additionally, if the cabinet boxes themselves are in poor condition, replacing them will be a better choice.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

While you’re budgeting for cabinet refacing costs, you may want to consider some other aesthetic changes to breathe even more life into your kitchen.

• Countertop refinishing: Having your countertops refinished costs an average of $400. The costs may vary depending on the type of material you have and the linear feet of countertop you need refinished.

• New cabinet accessories: Adding new drawer pulls, knobs, hinges, and handles to your cabinets costs an average of $300, while high-quality finishes can cost $1,000 or more. Upgrading glass inserts, lazy Susans, and other accessories can bring your total even higher.

• New bathroom mirror cabinet: If you decide to replace your bathroom mirror cabinet, you can expect to spend an average of $250 to $900, including the cost of installation.

Additional Considerations When Deciding on Cabinet Refacing

There are a few other minor costs and things you should consider before diving into your cabinet refacing project.

• DIY cabinet refacing: You’ll save an average of $100 per linear foot if you DIY the work, which comes out to an average of $2,500 to $3,500 for a kitchen or $750 for a bathroom. It is possible to DIY this job, but it’s not recommended, as you likely won’t get the same professional look you would from an expert installation.

• Eco-friendliness: Refacing can be considered an eco-friendly option because you are reusing a large part of the existing cabinets. Selecting eco-friendly materials, like hardwood over RTF, will be more expensive but also more sustainable.

• Reputation and insurance: Before signing any contracts with cabinet refacing companies, read them thoroughly and follow up on references and insurance to make sure they are current.

• Lead paint warning: You should have your cabinets tested for lead paint if they were painted before 1978. Make sure your refacing contractors take special precautions if this is the case to prevent lead dust from entering the air. They are required to give you a brochure entitled “Protect Your Family from Lead in the Home” before they begin.

• Estimates: All figures in this cost guide are estimates. We advise you to keep your expectations and options open when getting actual quotes. Make sure that you obtain a minimum of three quotes from professional refacers to compare before you begin.

• Resale value: Cabinet refacing can be an investment in your home, not just for your current living situation but also if you ever consider selling. As a resale value choice, cabinet refacing generally gets a good return on investment and may be a better choice for those who don’t want to replace all of the cabinets.

FAQ: Cabinet Refacing