Cabinet refacing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What cabinet refacing is

Cabinet refacing keeps the existing cabinet boxes and replaces the doors and drawer fronts, then applies new veneer to the frames. It updates the style of a kitchen without a full tear-out, and it works best when the boxes are square, solid and in good shape.

Signs you need it

  • The cabinet boxes are sound and square, but the doors and drawer fronts look dated or worn
  • You want a new style, such as shaker or flat panel, without removing the cabinet boxes
  • The layout works for you, and you do not want to change the plumbing or the electrical
  • The veneer on the frames is peeling or the surface is damaged, and the boxes need a new skin
  • You want new hinges, pulls and drawer slides, and the boxes can take the new hardware

What the pro does

  • Measure every door, drawer front and frame, and check the boxes for square, level and sound fastening
  • Remove the doors, drawer fronts and hardware, and clean the boxes and frames of grease and old finish
  • Repair any loose frames, broken hinges or damaged box faces before the veneer goes on
  • Apply the veneer or the new skin to the frames and the exposed box sides, then trim and seal the edges
  • Install the new doors and drawer fronts, adjust the hinges and drawer slides for even reveals
  • Fit the new hardware and walk through the kitchen to check every door and drawer for fit

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of doors, drawer fronts and exposed box sides that need veneer
  • Door style chosen, from a simple slab to a raised panel or a shaker style
  • Veneer type and finish, including the wood species and whether it is stained or painted
  • Condition of the boxes, including loose frames, broken hinges and any box repair
  • Hinge and slide type, including soft-close and full-extension hardware
  • Whether the kitchen layout changes, which would turn the job into a remodel rather than a refacing

What a written quote should spell out

  • Door and drawer front count with the style and the material named
  • Veneer type, species and finish, with the exposed sides included or excluded
  • Hinge, slide and pull types and the number of each included
  • Box repair steps listed, with the repairs named and any extra work noted
  • Installation, adjustment and cleanup steps, and the warranty on the work

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are the boxes square and sound, and will you check them before you order the doors?
  • What veneer do you use, and how does it look on the exposed sides?
  • Which hinges and slides are included, and are they soft-close?
  • How do you handle the reveals between the doors and the boxes?
  • What happens if the boxes are damaged once the old doors are off?
  • Can you show me a refacing you did on boxes similar to mine?

Red flags

  • The pro refaces boxes that are loose, warped or water damaged without a plan to repair them
  • The pro uses a veneer that does not match the species or the finish on the samples
  • The pro does not measure the doors and says they will be sized on site
  • The pro does not cover the exposed box sides, which will show after the install

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can replace the hardware and paint the doors of a cabinet that is in sound shape. Refacing involves measuring, veneering and fitting each door and drawer front exactly, and a small error shows as an uneven reveal, so an experienced refacer should handle the full job.

Licenses and permits

Cabinet refacing commonly does not need a license, but electrical or plumbing changes in the kitchen often require licensed trades. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules for your project.

Cabinet refacing questions

How do I know if my boxes are good enough to reface?

The boxes should be square, firmly fastened and free of water damage and rot. Ask the pro to check the boxes and to tell you which ones need repair before refacing.

Will refacing look like new cabinets?

The new doors and frames look new, but the boxes keep their original construction. Ask the pro to show a sample and explain what stays the same in the boxes.

Can I change the layout during refacing?

Only in small ways. Moving the sink, the range or the outlets is a remodel, so ask the pro whether the plan needs a separate remodel quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More remodeling, painting and floors guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request cabinet refacing