How much does cabinet refacing cost?

Refacing an average kitchen runs about $4,000 to $12,000, with a national average around $8,000, or roughly $100 to $250 per linear foot. Laminate is the budget end and solid wood the high end. DIY veneer kits cost about $1,000 to $4,000.

Can I reface cabinets myself?

Yes, refacing is a doable DIY: you keep the boxes and apply veneer and new doors and hardware. The skill is in clean prep, smooth veneer application, and aligning the doors. It saves the 50 to 70 percent that goes to labor.

Refacing or replacing cabinets?

Refacing keeps your existing boxes and costs far less, ideal when the layout works and the boxes are sound. Replacing makes sense if the boxes are damaged, the layout needs to change, or you want different sizes. Refacing is the value play.

How long does cabinet refacing take?

A pro typically refaces a kitchen in two to four days. A DIYer doing it carefully over evenings and weekends might take a week or two, mostly waiting on veneer and aligning doors.

Is cabinet refacing worth it?

If your cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing gives most of the look of new cabinets for a fraction of the price, with a strong resale impact. It is one of the best-value kitchen updates.

PROJECT GUIDE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

Cabinet Refacing Cost & Project Guide

Everything for your Cabinet Refacing in one place: cost by state, DIY vs. hire, the tools and materials, and a local pro if you want one.

NATIONAL AVERAGE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

HIRE A PRO

$4,000–$12,000

DIY COST

$1,000–$4,000

Typical project: Refacing an average kitchen's doors, drawer fronts, and box veneer

Skill levelDoable with careAnyone can take this on. The Blueprint walks you through it, step by step.

Get the Cabinet Refacing Blueprint →

Exact cost by zip →Tools & materials →Find a pro →

Source: 3+ benchmark aggregations (RSMeans, Angi, Fixr, HomeGuide) plus Submitted Quotes data

Plan your Cabinet Refacing

A quick checklist to get from idea to done. Want it as a printable PDF? Grab the full free version, emailed to you.

1Set a realistic budget using the cost range above.
2Check whether your project needs a permit in your state.
3Decide DIY or hire (see the breakdown below).
4Make your materials and tools list.
5If hiring, get three quotes and compare them like-for-like.
6Plan the timeline and order materials with a 10 percent buffer.

Get the full free Cabinet Refacing checklist, emailed as a PDF →

Tools and materials for a Cabinet Refacing

What you will actually buy. We flag what to rent versus own so you do not overspend on a one-time tool.

Materials

New doors and drawer fronts · 1 kitchen set
Veneer or laminate for boxes · 1 set
Hinges and drawer slides · 1 set
New knobs and pulls · 1 set

Tools

Drill and screwdriver · you likely own
Utility knife and J-roller (veneer) · rent or buy
Level and hardware jig · you likely own

See all the tools and materials worth buying →

Pro tips for your Cabinet Refacing

The mistakes that cost DIYers the most, and how to stay ahead of them.

Not cleaning and prepping the boxes

Veneer bubbling from poor adhesion

Misaligned doors and uneven gaps

Inconsistent hardware placement

Should you DIY or hire for Cabinet Refacing?

It depends on three things: your skill level, your time, and your tolerance for the riskiest parts of the project.

When DIY makes sense

→You have prior experience with similar home improvement projects
→The scope is well-defined and doesn't involve hidden structural work
→You can dedicate multiple days without rushing the job
→You're comfortable pulling a permit and scheduling inspections

When to hire

→The project involves electrical, plumbing, or structural elements
→You're on a hard deadline (sale, rental, weather window)
→Mistakes would be expensive or dangerous to fix
→Your jurisdiction requires a licensed contractor for permit sign-off
→You haven't done this type of work before

DifficultyModerate

Doable with some project experience and comfort handling permits and inspections.

Not planning to DIY? Find a local Cabinet Refacing pro →

What drives the cost of Cabinet Refacing

Materials

The single biggest material variable is your product choice. Wood veneer and Rigid thermofoil (RTF) sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum, a decision that can shift your materials budget by 40–60%. Key line items include new doors and drawer fronts, veneer or laminate for boxes, hinges and drawer slides, each priced per unit and sensitive to regional supply-chain conditions. Bulk purchasing and timing your order outside peak season (spring and early summer) can reduce material costs by 10–15%.

Labor

BLS occupational wage data shows interior-trade crews earn $28–$52/hour depending on metro area, and most cabinet refacing jobs require a two- to three-person crew for at least one full day. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the total project cost. Project complexity, custom details, tight access, or non-standard configurations, adds crew time and can push labor costs well above the national average.

Site conditions

Slope, soil type, and existing-structure condition are the three site factors contractors price most aggressively. Demolition or removal of old materials adds dumpster and disposal fees that rarely appear in online estimates. Local code requirements, permit fees, required inspections, and jurisdiction-specific material standards, can add $200–$1,500 to any project before a single tool is lifted.

Rather hire it out?

Find a vetted Cabinet Refacing pro near you. We never sell your info and never take kickbacks.

Find a Cabinet Refacing pro →

Cabinet Refacing cost in your state

Cabinet Refacing cost varies a lot by state. Open your state for locally calibrated hire and DIY numbers.

Cabinet Refacing cost in Michigan →Cabinet Refacing cost in California →Cabinet Refacing cost in Texas →Cabinet Refacing cost in Florida →Cabinet Refacing cost in New York →Cabinet Refacing cost in Pennsylvania →Cabinet Refacing cost in Ohio →Cabinet Refacing cost in Georgia →

See all home improvement costs by state →