Refacing vs. Refinishing vs. Replacing Cabinets
Let’s review some basic cabinet project definitions before diving into a cost comparison between these common methods.
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Refacing cabinets: Cabinet refacing requires removing doors and drawers entirely. The project typically replaces doors with new versions, giving owners the ability to choose new materials and appearances. Other parts of the cabinets are often refinished to match the new doors and drawers.
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Refinishing cabinets: The main difference between cabinet refacing vs. refinishing is the latter does not remove and replace doors or drawers on your cabinets. Instead, it restores existing doors and puts them back on the cabinets, requiring stripping down cabinet surfaces and sanding away blemishes. While the doors may be the same, you can add veneers, update handles, and make other changes. Refinishing is a less expensive option that typically costs $1,800 to $4,200 for the average kitchen.
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Replacing cabinets: Replacing cabinets requires owners to remove them, including shelving and supports. Replacing cabinets allows owners to upgrade to larger versions or custom designs. It’s also an opportunity to fix problems, like uneven or warped cabinetry. However, it’s also a much larger project and is significantly more expensive than refacing cabinets, with costs typically running between $2,000 and $10,000.
Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing by Project Scope
Refacing is a common project as part of a large kitchen remodel, where owners choose a variety of new materials and appliances. If that’s the case, then project costs will vary depending on the scope of your cabinet refacing project.
Minor Cabinet Refacing Project
A smaller-scale cabinet refacing project will likely cost $1,000 to $5,000, and it will cover the cost of laminate or weed veneer cabinet materials. This type of project will probably not use custom-made cabinets, and may include DIY replacement of cabinet hardware and other decorative elements.
Major Cabinet Refacing Project
A major cabinet refacing project can cost $7,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the number of cabinets, type of finish, and more. If you opt for custom cabinets, you can expect to pay at the top of the price range for this task.
Cabinet Refacing Cost Factors
As you’re budgeting for your cabinet resurfacing cost, multiple factors will impact how much you pay. Here are the main factors that affect the cost of this project.
Number of Cabinets
More cabinets mean more square footage to cover. The greater the number of cabinets, the more this project will cost. Most refacing projects cost $150 to $450 per linear square foot, depending on the material.
Materials
The materials you use to reface your cabinets will have a significant impact on the overall cost. Laminate is the most affordable cabinet option, wood veneer is middle-of-the-road, and solid wood is the most expensive. Below are the main styles to choose from, along with their key features.
“Cabinet refacing has a wide variety of options,” says Andrew Kilborn, owner of Andy’s Handyman. “Make sure you look at examples of the various methods to ensure the finished product meets your expectations.”
Wood Veneer
Wood veneer cabinet doors cost $2,500 to $6,000 or more depending on the size of your kitchen. These are a more expensive option, but they give off the best “real wood” look. This cabinet type also requires sealing to block out moisture and prevent them from drying out.
Plastic Laminate
Plastic laminate is a budget-friendly option at about $1,000 to $3,000. While there are limited styles for cabinet doors and drawer fronts, there are many colors to choose from. This cabinet type is also very durable, though they may crack or chip over time.
Rigid Thermofoil Laminate
Rigid thermofoil laminate is another budget-friendly choice for around $1,000 to $3,000. These offer realistic wood patterns and tons of style options. Like the name suggests, rigid thermofoil laminate cabinets are also quite durable overall. However, they’re sensitive to heat and can chip near the edges or corners.
Solid Wood and Plywood
Plywood and solid wood cabinet refacing costs between $5,000 and $10,000 on average. Still, it makes up for the heftier price tag in quality and durability. Solid wood will give off the warmest, highest-quality look you could ask for.
Labor
Typically, more than half of the project cost will go toward labor, and if the project is complex and time-consuming, this will drive up labor costs. A cabinet refinishing contractor will need to take precise measurements inside and out, remove the doors and drawers, and sand down every exposed surface before applying the new finish and replacing the doors, install cabinet hardware, and drawers. If your kitchen is in a tight space or is otherwise difficult to work on, your contractor may add extra costs for the inconvenience.
Location
Material prices and labor costs in your area can influence what you pay to reface your kitchen cabinets. Below are the average cabinet refacing costs for major cities across the U.S.
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Boston: $6,740
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Los Angeles: $8,600
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New York: $7,630
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Chicago: $7,020
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Houston: $5,890
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Boise, ID: $2,640
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Denver: $5,380
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Tampa, FL: $5,240
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Nashville, TN: $6,420
Additional Cost Factors
While you’re refacing your cabinets, there are a few additional projects that can take your kitchen makeover to the next level. Here are some more upgrades to consider when planning out your budget.
Countertops
Installing new countertops costs an average of $1,900 to $4,400. The cost to put in new countertops will vary based on factors such as the type of material used and the total square footage. For instance, if you decide to go with laminate countertops, the cost will be significantly less compared to using granite or marble.
Hardware Replacements
The cost to replace cabinet hardware typically falls between $100 and $1,000. However, if you choose antique or designer hardware, prices can increase as high as $10,000.
Crown Molding
Crown molding installation costs between $700 and $2,100 on average. Materials for crown molding come with different base costs, and the installation process may call for more or less time and labor depending on the type of material selected, as some materials are simpler to work with than others.
Under Cabinet Lighting
The cost to install under cabinet lighting is usually around $200 to $300 per light, but DIY-friendly peel-and-stick varieties can cost as low as $20 to $30. The most popular styles include puck lights, strip lights, or built-in lights.
Glass
Glass inserts for kitchen cabinets usually cost between $100 to $300 per linear foot. However, project costs will vary based on the shape and style of the glass insert.
Custom Cabinet Doors
Custom cabinet doors offer handcrafted woodworking, high-quality finishes, and other top-notch features to give the cabinets a particularly unique look. They may also be specially fitted with accessibility features. If you are interested in custom woodworking, the price of new cabinet doors can quickly soar to $500 per door or more.
Additional Surface Veneers
What happens to the visible sides of the cabinets that no longer match your beautiful new wooden doors? The most common solution is to apply wood veneers to open surfaces that match or complement the new doors and drawers from your refacing. Veneer prices can range based on the type of wood strips, but you can find 8-foot by 4-foot backers for $70 to $150.
Additional Accessories
Additional accessories are available for an extra cost, so you may want to budget a little extra if you’re interested. These can include a built-in spice or wine rack, a pull-out trash can, a lazy Susan, and more.
Cabinet Refacing ROI
Refacing your kitchen cabinets yields an average of 65% to 80% or more of your initial investment back in added value to your home, so it’s worth considering if you want to stand out in a competitive market. When you’re selling your home, your potential buyers will place a lot of stock on how impressive (or dated) your kitchen is. Houses that have had their kitchens and bathrooms updated, either with just cabinet remodels or full renovations that include floors and counters, typically sell more quickly than those with outdated looks.
If you want to maximize your ROI when refacing cabinets, focus on quality upgrades that have a big impact on how your kitchen looks and functions. Refacing cabinets from boring, worn particle board to high-quality materials will have the most impact. Consider options like:
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Emphasizing natural wood materials
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High-quality wood veneers that match your other kitchen materials
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Lacquer finishes for long-term protection
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Flush inset designs for a modern, minimalist look
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Upgrading handles with better materials or easier use
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Adding custom woodwork to cabinet doors
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Turning some cabinets into glass cabinets to show off items inside
Cost to Reface Cabinet Doors Yourself
Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a meticulous and time-consuming project. If you have scrappy DIY skills and a lot of patience, though, you should be able to pull it off. However, it’s best to hire a professional cabinet contractor to ensure that it’s done correctly.
Here’s a list of the supplies and materials you may need, along with some average costs:
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Screwdrivers: $10-$25
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Brad nail gun: $50-$300
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Miter saw: $150-$250
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Circular saw: $50-$200
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Cordless drill: $50-$300
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Forstner drill bits: $20-$60
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Caulk gun: $5-$15
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Nails, sandpaper, and adhesive: $100+
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File: $5-$10
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Veneer-specific tools (scrapers, banders, trimmers): $200-$800
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Wood/laminate veneers with matching doors & drawers: $500-$1,000+
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Hinges, pulls, and accessories: $500-$3,500
Total: $1,645-$6,570
Depending on the size of your kitchen, this can be quite an expensive DIY—but it’s not your only option. For example, refinishing or painting your cabinets costs less than having them refaced while still offering a brand-new look. The price to stain your cabinets will run you a lot less as well, typically $1,500 to $5,000.
Note: If you’re considering painting versus refinishing your kitchen cabinets, there’s potential for warping, peeling, or otherwise getting less-than-perfect results. It’s best to get in touch with a local cabinet painter if this is the route you want to go.
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DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost to reface cabinets yourself can be substantial, as the project requires a lot of tools and materials. It’s also pretty time-consuming. To ensure high-quality results, hire a local cabinet refinishing contractor to transform the look of your cabinetry. That way, you can rest assured the job will be done accurately and efficiently. Additionally, refacing kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them can help lead to a lower kitchen remodel cost overall.
How to Save Money on Cabinet Refinishing Costs
Refacing is a cost-effective way to remodel your kitchen cabinets on a budget, so you’re already on the right track to saving money. Here are even more ways to reduce the cost of your kitchen cabinet makeover:
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Shop around and get at least three quotes from reputable contractors before you commit.
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Choose lower-cost materials and styles.
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Pick budget-friendly options for cabinet hardware, or purchase and install them yourself.
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Skip extra features like lights and glass inserts. You can always add these in later if you change your mind.
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If your friends, family, or neighbors are considering refacing their cabinets, ask if there is a volume discount to book more than one job in the neighborhood.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
