Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost: 2026 Installed Price Calculator
Mike Martin, MA CSL, is the founder and construction cost editor of RemodelingExpense. His residential construction experience informs the site’s cost research, calculators, and homeowner project guidance.
Kitchen cabinet refacing cost ranges from $400 – $1,000 per linear ft. installed, or about $8,000 – $20,000 for a typical 20 linear ft. cabinet refacing project.
Kitchen cabinet refacing keeps the existing cabinet boxes but replaces the visible surfaces, usually with new doors, drawer fronts, veneer, laminate, end panels, hinges, and hardware. It is different from full wood cabinet replacement because the layout stays the same and the existing boxes must be strong enough to reuse.
Use the calculator below to estimate your price based on cabinet length, number of doors and drawer fronts, veneer type, hardware, end panels, crown molding, box condition, removal, disposal, and local labor rates.
Cost Calculator
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost Calculator
Estimate kitchen cabinet refacing pricing based on cabinet length, number of doors and drawer fronts, veneer or laminate material, wood veneer, thermofoil, hardware, hinges, end panels, crown molding, box condition, removal, disposal, and local labor rates.
Your estimated cost
For 20 linear ft.
$8,000 – $20,000
About $400 – $1,000 per linear ft.
Use your estimate as a starting point, then compare real prices from local contractors.
| Cost item | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,000 | $13,000 |
| Labor | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| Estimated kitchen cabinet refacing cost | $8,000 | $20,000 |
| Installed cost per linear foot | $400 | $1,000 |
Why your price may change
- Local labor rates vary.
- Material quality affects the price.
- Old material removal, repairs, permits, or code updates can add cost.
- Hard-to-reach areas, complex layouts, rush jobs, or premium contractors may cost more.
Estimate includes local labor adjustments and may differ slightly from rounded national cost examples.
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost vs Value
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing may recover about 55%–80% of its cost.
Bottom line: Kitchen cabinet refacing pricing depends on cabinet length, number of doors and drawer fronts, veneer or laminate material, wood veneer, thermofoil, hardware, hinges, end panels, crown molding, box condition, removal, disposal, and local labor rates.
Worth it: Solid cabinet boxes, layouts that are staying the same, dated doors, worn finishes, kitchen facelifts, rental upgrades, and homeowners who want a new cabinet look without full cabinet replacement.
Skip it: If the cabinet boxes are damaged, water-swollen, poorly built, or the layout needs to change, replacing the cabinets is usually the better starting calculator.
ROI ranges are planning estimates and should not be treated as an appraisal. This is only an estimate. Real resale value depends on your home, neighborhood, market, project quality, and buyer demand.
Contractor Reality Check
Kitchen cabinet refacing quotes are cheapest when the boxes are square, solid, and staying in the same layout. Costs rise with lots of drawers, custom door sizes, wood veneer, painted doors, soft-close hardware, finished end panels, crown molding, interior repairs, and old cabinets that need extra prep before veneer will bond correctly.
My rule of thumb: Ask whether the quote includes new doors, drawer fronts, veneers, end panels, hinges, drawer slides, knobs or pulls, crown molding, toe kicks, light rail, removal, disposal, prep work, installation, and touch-up before comparing bids.
What to Confirm Before You Sign
- Box condition: Confirm that the existing cabinet boxes are solid, square, dry, and worth refacing.
- Door and drawer count: Ask how many doors, drawer fronts, false fronts, and specialty panels are included.
- Refacing material: Confirm whether the visible surfaces are laminate, rigid thermofoil, wood veneer, painted MDF, or solid wood doors.
- End panels: Ask whether exposed cabinet sides, refrigerator panels, island backs, and finished ends are included.
- Hardware: Confirm hinges, drawer slides, soft-close upgrades, knobs, pulls, and whether old hardware holes will be covered.
- Layout limits: Ask what cannot change, including sink location, appliance openings, cabinet height, island shape, and storage configuration.
- Buffer: Budget 10% to 20% for box repairs, extra panels, hardware upgrades, trim, drawer conversions, and surface prep.
Surprise Costs That Move the Price
| Item | Why It Adds Cost | Typical Add |
|---|---|---|
| Extra doors and drawer fronts | Refacing is driven heavily by door and drawer count, not just linear feet. | $75 – $350 each |
| Wood veneer upgrade | Real wood veneer and stain-grade finishes cost more than basic laminate or thermofoil surfaces. | $100 – $350 per linear ft. |
| Soft-close hardware | New hinges and drawer slides improve daily use but add cost across the entire cabinet layout. | $300 – $1,500 |
| Finished end panels | Visible sides, island backs, refrigerator panels, and exposed cabinet ends need finished material. | $250 – $2,500 |
| Box repair or prep work | Water damage, peeling laminate, loose frames, damaged shelves, and dirty surfaces can slow the job down. | $500 – $4,000 |
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost by Type
| Refacing Type | Installed Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate cabinet refacing | $400 – $650 per linear ft. | Budget kitchen updates, rentals, simple color changes, and solid cabinet boxes. |
| Thermofoil cabinet refacing | $450 – $750 per linear ft. | Smooth doors, easy-clean surfaces, and lower-cost modern cabinet updates. |
| Wood veneer cabinet refacing | $650 – $1,000 per linear ft. | Better cabinet appearance, natural wood grain, stain-grade looks, and higher-end kitchens. |
| Refacing with new soft-close hardware | $500 – $1,100 per linear ft. | Older cabinets with worn hinges, noisy drawers, or hardware that needs a full upgrade. |
| Premium cabinet refacing package | $800 – $1,300+ per linear ft. | Wood doors, finished panels, crown molding, light rail, hardware upgrades, and detailed trim. |
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost by Project Size
| Project Size | Typical Scope | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small cabinet refacing project | 10 – 12 linear ft. of cabinets | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Average kitchen refacing project | 18 – 25 linear ft. of cabinets | $7,200 – $25,000 |
| Large kitchen refacing project | 30 – 40 linear ft. of cabinets | $12,000 – $40,000 |
Is Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Worth It?
Kitchen cabinet refacing is worth it when the cabinet boxes are solid, the layout works, and the main problem is dated doors, worn finishes, or old hardware. It can give the kitchen a new look without the cost and disruption of full cabinet replacement.
Skip it: If the cabinet boxes are damaged, water-swollen, poorly built, or the layout needs to change, use the Wood Cabinets Calculator or Custom Kitchen Cabinets Calculator instead. If the doors are still usable and only the finish looks tired, compare the Cabinet Refinishing Calculator.
References – Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost
- Kitchen Cabinet Product Pricing: The Home Depot
- Kitchen Cabinet Product Pricing: Lowe’s
- Cabinet Industry Standards: Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
- Wood Construction Guidance: American Wood Council
- Carpenter Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated: 6/26/26
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