How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost?

Cabinet refacing is one of the best ways to transform your kitchen without completely tearing it apart.

A full kitchen remodel in our area can easily cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. But many homeowners don’t actually need a complete gut renovation. If your cabinet boxes are structurally sound and you like your current layout, cabinet refacing can give your kitchen a dramatic new look at a fraction of the cost.

So how much does cabinet refacing cost?

In the Quad Cities area, most cabinet refacing projects typically fall between $10,000-$25,000 depending on the size of the kitchen, materials selected, and any additional upgrades.

A common way to estimate refacing cost is around $400-$500 per door and drawer front. However, this is only a starting point. The final investment depends on several factors, including the materials, door style, hardware, and whether additional upgrades are included. You can use our COST CALCULATOR to get a ballpark of where your project will land

Let’s take a closer look.

What Factors Affect Cabinet Refacing Cost?

If you’ve ever received a cabinet refacing quote, there’s a good chance someone simply counted your doors and drawer fronts and gave you a price.

Many homeowners wonder: is it really that simple?

The answer is not quite.

A common way contractors estimate refacing projects is by using averages based on previous projects. After completing enough kitchens, companies can develop accurate pricing models based on the number of doors, drawers, materials, and labor involved.

While this can provide a fairly accurate ballpark, there are several factors that can change the final price.

Some of the biggest factors include:

Door Style: Simple shaker is easier to make than a decorative door with applied moldings

Wood Species: Species like Red Oak are widely available and inexpensive while premium species like walnut are more expensive

Modifications: Adding new drawer boxes and organizers like trash pullouts/roll trays will increase the cost. Sometimes we have to modify or fix existing cabinets.

Other Upgrades: Adding countertops, backsplash, lighting, sink, and faucet will all increase the project total

How We Create an Accurate Cabinet Refacing Quote

We don’t simply count doors and guess.

During an in-home consultation, we start by measuring the square footage of your cabinetry and selecting the materials, door style, and finish you want.

Our suppliers provide fixed costs based on the square footage of materials used, which allows us to create an accurate estimate.

We know the difference in cost between a maple shaker door and a red oak raised panel door. We also know the typical costs associated with countertops, backsplash, hardware, and other upgrades.

Once the project moves forward, we complete a detailed final measurement.

This is an important step because refacing components are not ordered by simply counting openings. Every door and drawer front must be measured accurately — often down to the 1/16th of an inch — to ensure everything fits perfectly during installation.

That’s why we start with a detailed estimate and finish with a precise final measure.

Cabinet Refacing vs Cabinet Painting Cost

There’s no question that painting your cabinets is the less expensive option.

When you paint your cabinets, you’re reusing your existing doors and cabinet components. The majority of the cost comes from labor and materials like primer and paint.

The downside?

You are still keeping your existing cabinet doors, styles, and construction. If your doors are outdated or worn, painting can only change the color — not the design.

We also see many painted cabinet finishes fail over time because proper preparation and professional finishing techniques are extremely important.

Generally speaking, cabinet refacing costs about twice as much as painting.

The reason is simple: you’re getting brand new doors, factory-finished components, updated hardware, and a completely different look.

The right choice depends on your goals:

Painting makes sense if:

• You want the lowest-cost appearance upgrade
• Your doors are already the style you like
• You are mainly looking for a color change

Refacing makes sense if:

• You want a completely new cabinet style
• You want factory-finished durability
• You want to improve both the appearance and functionality of your kitchen

Cabinet Refacing vs Full Kitchen Remodel Cost

First, let’s define a full kitchen remodel.

In our world, that means removing your existing cabinets and countertops and replacing them with completely new materials.

That typically means replacing:

• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Sink
• Faucet
• Backsplash
• Potentially flooring, electrical, plumbing, and more

Because of the additional scope, our full kitchen remodels generally start around $50,000.

Cabinet refacing eliminates many of those costs. Instead of replacing everything, you keep your existing cabinet layout and focus your investment on the parts that create the biggest visual impact.

Here’s the difference:

When Does Cabinet Refacing Make Less Sense?

I recently looked at a project where the homeowner called and said they were interested in refacing their kitchen.

Perfect. That’s exactly the type of project we love.

But once I arrived, the scope started expanding.

The project included:

• New flooring throughout the main level
• New countertops
• New trim
• Painting the entire home
• Updates throughout multiple rooms

At that point, the project had become much larger than a kitchen update.

For a homeowner investing $100,000-$150,000 into a major renovation, new cabinets often make more sense.

Those homeowners typically have a different goal:

Large remodel ($100,000-$150,000):
“We plan to stay here long-term and want this home exactly how we want it.”

Cabinet refacing ($10,000-$25,000):
“We like our home and our layout. Our cabinets are in good shape. We just want a fresh, updated kitchen without spending $100,000.”

Both options make sense. They are simply different projects for different homeowners.

Can You Replace Countertops During Cabinet Refacing?

Absolutely.

Many homeowners choose to combine refacing with new countertops, backsplash, sinks, and faucets.

You still save money compared to a complete remodel, but the savings come from avoiding the cost and disruption of replacing perfectly good cabinet boxes.

The biggest advantage is time.

A full kitchen remodel can take 8+ weeks depending on the scope.

A refacing project with new countertops can often be completed in a fraction of that time.

Dollar-wise you’re still saving a meaningful amount of money. Somewhere in the $10-$20k range for simple kitchens.

Is Cabinet Refacing Worth It?

For the right homeowner, cabinet refacing is one of the best values in kitchen remodeling.

If your cabinets are structurally sound, you like your current layout, and you want a fresh new look without the cost and disruption of a full remodel, refacing can be the perfect solution.

For an accurate cabinet refacing estimate in the Quad Cities area, contact our team. We’ll measure your kitchen, help you choose the right materials, and provide a detailed quote so you know exactly what your project will cost.