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Writer's pictureIdeal Home Improvement

Should you Reface your Cabinets or have them Replaced?

Updated: Sep 21

When homeowners notice wear and tear on their kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, they often wonder about the cost to reface cabinets and if it’s cheaper to replace them rather than repair them. According to figures from Statista, home renovation, remodeling, and repair projects cost American homeowners over $475 billion in 2022, leading many to look for the most cost-effective methods of making their homes beautiful and functional.

If you're considering updating your kitchen or bathroom, it's important to factor in the cost of cabinets. At Ideal Home Improvement, we often receive inquiries from customers about the cost of cabinet refacing versus replacement. In this article, we'll break down the costs of each option so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.



a picture of a white kitchen with a spacious island
Reface or Replace Cabinets

Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing in 2023

Cabinets are available in various shapes and sizes, and they serve different purposes for homeowners. Some cabinets are used as accent pieces for stylish minimalist kitchens, while others are purely functional and hold kitchen and dining utensils. However, in most cases, it is more practical to reface your worn-out cabinets than to replace them.


According to data from Home Advisor, refacing cabinets can be as much as 50% more cost-effective than replacing them. The average cost to reface cabinets falls somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000. On the other hand, replacing them costs anywhere from $18,000 to as high as $30,000 for custom installations. Your total project cost will fluctuate depending on the material you want and the labor costs in your area.


People typically don’t reface cabinets out of necessity but because their tastes are evolving. After living in a place for many years, people begin to look for a different vibe for their kitchen. Having a cooking space that you can happily inhabit will encourage you to prepare more home-cooked meals and create a space where you can enjoy wonderful memories with friends and family.


How Refacing Components Will Affect Your Kitchen Remodeling Budget


Labor costs may increase your final expenses by a few hundred dollars, but the cost of cabinet materials can significantly raise your project budget. To help you understand the cost of different cabinet components that are commonly used in remodeling projects, here's a breakdown.


Plastic and rigid thermofoil laminates are bestsellers because of their cost-effectiveness, range of color options, and durability. This finish will cost around $5,000 to $9,000. Laminates can mimic realistic wood, vinyl, marble, and other organic finishes to a high degree of precision, but they’ll become prone to heat damage and chipping over time.


Wood veneer is a mid-tier finish in which we press a block of authentic wood onto your countertop or cabinet doors. It offers excellent protection against drying and moisture and will cost around $1,000 to $1500.


Solid and plywood cabinet doors are high-end finishes that you can pair with wood veneer for an elegant kitchen. This finish is high-quality and capable of lasting for generations. Most homeowners treat solid cabinet doors as an investment that can increase the resale value of their homes with an initial cost of about $6,000 to $15,000 to install.

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