Cost of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets - Estimates and Prices Paid ~ Kitchen Kabinet

If don't like your current kitchen cabinet layout and storage capacity, consider replacing them. But if you like how the cabinets are set up and they're structurally sound, just dated or scratched on the outside, you can make your kitchen sparkle for a lot less money simply by having the cabinets refaced. Typical costs:

When the cabinets are in good shape both inside and out but the hardware is blah or outdated, make a quick fix by installing new pulls, knobs and hinges. These start around $2-$4 each at the standard home improvement store, but can be $20-$50 apiece or more for custom designs and colors. ThisOldHouse.com^[1] displays photos of customized knobs and pulls from $10-$140 each.
Refacing the cabinets in a typical kitchen starts around $1,000-$3,000 for rigid thermofoil (RTF) or plastic laminate and $2,500-$6,000 for real wood veneer (about 1/4-inch think), although costs can rise to $7,000-$9,000 or more for a large project with high-quality wood veneer.
Materials alone run about $200-$500 for a do-it-yourself cabinet refacing project, but this work can be both messy and time-consuming. Specialized veneer tools such as rollers, blades and irons can add $5-$60 or more.

Related articles: Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Countertops, Kitchen Remodeling

What should be included:

The contractor will remove all doors, drawer fronts and hardware; install veneer on the remaining bases; then add new matching doors, drawer fronts and hardware. A typical cabinet refacing job takes two to four days, although a simple project can be done in a single day, and more complex ones will take longer than four days. HomeAndGardenTV.com provides illustrated do-it-yourself directions.
The least expensive veneer option is RTF, which is exceedingly durable, easy to clean, comes in a wide variety of styles and can be made to look like a painted surface or wood. Plastic laminates are slightly more expensive and come in more colors but aren't as durable. Wood veneers which are the most expensive option -- usually costing about 25 percent more than laminates. BobVila.com reviews options for cabinet hardware and refacing veneers; and Betters Homes & Gardens^[2] displays a slideshow of ideas for unique cabinet makeovers.

Additional costs:

The paperback Refacing Cabinets: Making an Old Kitchen New^[3] retails for $19.95.

Shopping for refacing kitchen cabinets:

Contractor referrals are available through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry^[4] .
Get several estimates, making clear what is (and isn't) included in each quote. Request and check references; ask about the contractor's length and type of experience; and be sure they're properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state^[5] . See if there are any complaints with the Better Business Bureau^[6] .

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Posted by: Mini Mike in Evanston, IL.

Posted: December 7th, 2014 10:12AM

Bid from Home Depot. 12 Cabinet Fronts, 8 Drawers fronts, hinges, pulls, facing, and glides. Not real wood. $520 a hole. Not A Chance!

Posted by: rosetta m in penderlea, NC.

Posted: October 20th, 2014 08:10AM

i have a L shape kitchen. 18ft one side and 30ft on the other side. a total of 15 cabinets. i just wanted a quote on refacing using laminate cabinets and counter tops. the cost would be $13,350 from home depot. both sears and lowes said thats the cost of a remodel job with new appliances, flooring and top of the line cabinets and granite countertops.. so their quotes was 4,500-5,000...

Posted by: JSH1 in Concord, NC.

Posted: June 16th, 2014 11:06AM

Very high pressure sales tactic had us feeling very uncomfortable. Being held to the "you need to make a decision immediately" is a real turn off. Told Home Depot to take a hike. Went to Lowes and got new cabinets and new counter tops for 1/2 the $8800.

Posted by: Citified in Canyon Lake, CA.

Posted: April 12th, 2014 10:04AM

I have 38 linear feet of cabinets, two countertops for both master and hall bathroom, plus faucets. The demo wall long but I could finance a portion. Does this sound right?

Posted by: Dave W. in Kaneohe, HI.

Posted: January 28th, 2013 08:01PM

I had a handyman, as he said he was, come over and give me an estimate to replace my cabinet fascia. This handyman was always late, and sometime never showed up. So I look online, Craigslist, and found the best handyman service in Hawaii, CRU KUSTOM WORKZ. These guys were always on-time never late and finished the cabinets in 3 weeks. Now this re-facing was not a kit, CRU KUSTOM WORKZ customized the cabinet fascias with pine wood slats. I have been authorized by CRU KUSTOM WORKZ to share this link to his photos: https://facebook.com/CruKustomWorkz/photos_albums,scoll down till you see the Kaneohe Cabinet Re-Facing album.rn They are a life saver because I had to move to my new home and get the kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanity done before the renters came in, they finished in time and has been very helpful and upfront with me from the start. I would call them before you call Home Depot or any other cabinet contractor on Oahu. Thank you for doing this job for me.

Posted by: a user in Phoenix, AZ.

Posted: December 16th, 2012 02:12PM

Home Depot quoted us $25k to reface our current 42in cabinets, add new island and countertops(granite).
Sears quoted us $26k to do the same work as HD and $30k if we added three new cabinets for bar area. Spent 3yrs telling us about their brand, warranty and what they could not do - boring!
Went with local company (Cabinet Coatings of America) as they quoted us $12k, including island, bar area and some other modifications like soft close drawers and adding a utility cabinet next to the fridge. With countertops, came to $17k. Purchased sink and faucet online as saved about half on same products then going to local retailer as we were looking for a composite sink(faucetdirect.com).
Another local company quoted us $18k for the bells and whistles too.
Get multiple quotes as I do not trust big box stores due to this and prior experiences as their quotes always seem to be too high and have little flexibility in options. Find a small business that has been doing the work for over 10 years.

Posted by: 1martima in Toledo, OH.

Posted: December 8th, 2012 09:12AM

Home Depot said they charge min $300 per linear ft.and have a $3,500 min charge. Really weren't interested even to come and give an estimate on small jobs.

Posted by: Jaxops in VAB in Virginia Beach, VA.

Posted: November 28th, 2012 05:11AM

Home Depot came in at $28,000.00 for 36 ft of cabinet doors in cherry wood, and a Starin synthetic counter-top. They are running a 20% discount and a $200.00 military discount to take it down to the $20K price. I am getting a 2nd estimate based on your comments here.

Posted by: kenogirl in Ca in Selma, CA.

Posted: June 12th, 2012 04:06PM

I guess this estimate is the winner! I was shocked by Home Depots price for refacing my small kitchen and moving my island. I do have several cabinets and wanted premium dove tail and concealed hinges, but I did not pick real wood cabinets. This estimate did not include flooring or countertops. The salesman was very sweet, but I am still in shock at the price. My personal price range was around $10,000. No more Home Depot!

Posted by: Lynn Wack in San Diego, CA.

Posted: June 4th, 2012 08:06AM

We had an outdated natural oak 1980's kitchen with a good and functional layout. We hired CHIPS CABINET FINISHING CO. in San Diego to reface our kitchen Cabinets. We have about 20 doors 2 of which are pantery and 7 drawers. We chose a solid wood, raised panel design in maple and had them finished in a dark espresso color. Our kitchen is just gorgeous. It took about 4 days total because we had some matching crown molding installed too. We are SO HAPPY and spent much less than the quotes we got for new cabinets..By the time you pay for the demo, new cabinets, installation, plumber to reinstall the sink, adjust the flooring for the new cabinet etc.. this was so much easier and my kitchen looks brand new. We also had them replace some of the old drawer glides and they updated our old bronze hinges with nice stainless steel ones.

Posted by: Val Sawhill in Bradenton, FL.

Posted: March 13th, 2012 07:03PM

A complete RIP OFF! Over a THOUSAND dollars per cabinet for some stick-on wood veneer and new door/drawer fronts???? Are you kidding me? I have a small kitchen, only 12 cabinets, and the proposal was for $13,200! BUT, if I signed today they'd knock off $900. Yeah, right. Unbelievable. When checking around with independent contractors the "going rate" was about $100-$150 per "hole," meaning a cabinet with a door and a drawer would count as 2 holes. At that rate my kitchen should be done for less than $3,000. For the price Home Depot wanted you could get brand new high quality cabinets installed professionally. And the high-pressure sales tactics are disgusting. After this experience I'm tempted not to buy ANYTHING from Home Depot ever again.

Posted by: Home Makeover in Clarksville, TN.

Posted: February 3rd, 2012 10:02PM

seemed high, sales man said I could get it down to 8800. with a discount. Was not planning on getting it now but in a few months. want to know what other quotes others went with. It seems everyone thinks Home Depot/us remodelers is high.

Posted by: J. Clayton in Chicago, IL.

Posted: October 6th, 2011 07:10AM

I received two estimates, one week apart from Home Depot for cabinet refacing for 10 cabinet doors, four small doors, four small drawers,two large drawers, two sink tip-outs, four cabinet pull-outs. The species were maple. The first price was $13,554. with 15% off. The second estimate price was $8,934. with $1,000. off plus 10% off, plus $300. off. This still seems a bit high for cabinet refacing. I've seen lower pricing with counter tops, sink and faucet included with a larger kitchen and more cabinets. I've been a loyal costumer with Home Depot for 20 years, projects includes Hardwood Flooring, Carpeting, Painting, Shower Doors, Granite Counter Tops, Kitchen Appliances, Ceramic Flooring,Floor Tiles,Interior/Exterior/Garage Doors, Blinds, Toilets, Sinks, Faucets, Shrubs, Plants, along with everyday needs for my home. My loyality deserves fair pricing.

Posted by: JanieAnnie in Austin, TX.

Posted: July 30th, 2011 06:07PM

This estimate was for RTF doors, not wood - 28 doors and 8 drawers (averages out at over $400 per door/drawer). Way too expensive - won't be doing business with Home Depot.

Posted by: MARGE in Bloomfield, NJ.

Posted: June 6th, 2011 04:06PM

Thought I was just getting a estimate, and this price was for 11 cabinets, hinges, door , new door knobs, tilt tray and a countertop, stainless steel sink (which I don't like) and faucet if I signed today, if I decided to wait it would cost me 7,621.00 after today, and in a few months there would be a price raise...he definitely wante me to sign today, but I wanted to research it and think about it. I know they were not too happy...I felt bad for the person because they're trying to make a living too, but I felt it was too much to pay.

Posted by: Susie-Q in Yardley, PA.

Posted: March 31st, 2011 11:03AM

I spent 3 hours listening to home depot estimate. Also if I signed today it would be $15,000 instead of $17K. I do have a large kitchen. They were very pushy. I feel getting more estimates. It seemed high to me.

Posted by: learnedalesson in York, PA.

Posted: March 17th, 2011 06:03PM

I was approached in store for free consultation, no obliation. Gals from sub-contractor (TRG)came and quoted the sale price of $8,800 for 10 doors (4 small), 4 drawers, tilt tray and new cabinet with two doors with trash pull-out. One day after signing I came to my senses and canceled the transaction. The sub-contractor gal returned and was very rude, accusatory, and said I would pay $14,000 for the same thing next year.

Posted by: Tracy Coyne in Pittsburgh, PA.

Posted: February 25th, 2011 08:02AM

Quote for $9441 for 23 linear feet, including counter top and sink. 17 doors and 5 drawers with tilt tray.
Offered 10 percent discount if I sign that day but won't honor it later due to HD's claim that if they honor it now, it would be deemed price fixing. Hmmmm...

Posted by: ourseas in EL SEGUNDO, CA.

Posted: January 31st, 2011 10:01PM

Had my kitchen cabinets refaced through Home Depot - 20 doors, 9 drawers, 1 tilt tray, with moldings, kick boards, undercabinet mounts, Amerock door pulls, and new breadboard included.

Posted by: Fe Rey in Las Vegas, NV.

Posted: October 11th, 2010 10:10PM

I received a quote from the Home Depot to reface 13 doors, 4 of which are only 15" x 15", with 10 drawers. Is this too much. I was going with the simplest look in the Rigid Thermofoil too. Hmmm.... am I being ripped off? Please advise.

Posted by: Surprisedby cost in Centreville, VA.

Posted: September 22nd, 2010 09:09AM

I recently received a quote from Home Depot to reface 17 cabinets to include adding a box to extend to the ceiling. I thought that price seemed a bit high but haven't had any prior experience with refacing I wasn't sure. Does this sound reasonable?

Posted by: Jean Norals in Country Club Hills, IL.

Posted: February 24th, 2010 02:02PM

I have been provided a quote of $9,011.00 to reface my kitchen cabinets. They include 25 doors 8 drawers 2 extra long pantry cabinet doors with surfact top. They will also reface the island on three sides with panel design from doors & light rail, provide crown molding on top and light rail under cabinets, install a tilt tray under sink. Is the pricing fair, should I proceed with confirming this purchase.

Posted by: designeroracle in Phoenix, AZ.

Posted: September 7th, 2009 10:09AM

Spent 2700 for the refacing on my kitchen. The total # of cabinets are around 25 & a pantry door, refacing outside with Cherry color and inside with pale yellow. The cabinets hardware(handles are bought up my me in the Homedepot) are fixed for free.

External Resources:

www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,1590784,00.html
www.bhg.com/kitchen/cabinets/makeovers/kitchen-cabinet-makeover-how-to/
www.amazon.com/Refacing-Cabinets-Making-Kitchen-Homebuilding/dp/1561581976/ref=pd_bbs_s...
www.nari.org/
www.contractors-license.org/
search.bbb.org/

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