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Highlights

Tired of the erstwhile , out-of-date console in your house ? A full kitchen or bathroom remodel toreplace honest-to-god cabinetsand update the footprint is no small job — and it ’s pricey . That ’s why more homeowners are opt for an alternative : cabinet refacing . You get all the benefits of the bracing look of new cabinets but with less study and cost . According to Angi and HomeAdvisor , householder pay between $ 4,501 and $ 10,546 , with an norm of $ 7,220 for locker refacing price . The number of cabinets being refaced , materials , and confinement rates will determine the Mary Leontyne Price . Completing a full kitchen cabinet refacing will cost more than just a bathroom cabinet refacing since it ’s a larger space .

What Is Cabinet Refacing? How Does Cabinet Refacing Work?

locker refacing is the happy medium between tearing out and replace cabinet and just update the outside . When homeowner opt to reface their cabinet , the contractor removes the storage locker doors and hardware , then works to reapply new laminate or veneer finish , doors and drawers , and hardware . They will also make any minor repairs . A homeowner can get totally updated cabinet for nearly half the toll of a complete locker replacement project , which is why it ’s an appealing option for price - witting homeowners . It may not be the right alternative , however , if the existing cabinet are damaged , do n’t operate well , or if a homeowner just ask a better layout . A refacing project work more to update the look rather than the functionality or overall design of the kitchen cabinets . When a console refacing projection is utter , the kitchen will sense mark newfangled within the original footprint .

Refacing vs. Replacing vs. Refinishing

When it come to update cabinets , there are three option : reface , replacing , and refinishing . Here ’s the breakdown of how each alternative works , plus their medium costs .

reface cabinetstypically costs between $ 4,501 to $ 10,546 , which average out at least 30 to 50 percentage less than replacing . The installer can update the integral finish to a new color or texture ; add new doors , bloomers , and hardware ; and even off small-scale problem . During the update , the cabinet boxwood remain in place , but they ’ll be treated and refresh with a unexampled veneer open .

supercede cabinetsoffers the chance to whole redesign the layout and number of cabinets in the kitchen . It ’s a more complex process that will let in other considerations like new flooring to compensate where honest-to-god storage locker were , correct light fixture positions , and install new countertops . When a cabinet is supervene upon , the full cabinet box will be removed to make room for novel cabinets . The price to supersede cabinets ( not including other remodeling costs ) averages $ 400 to $ 3,500 linear foot , compared to $ 210 to $ 750 per linear foot to reface them .

A view of a beautiful kitchen with wooden cabinets.

Photo: depositphotos.com

Refinishing cabinetsis an even more cost - witting selection , but it arrive with limitations . Refinishing a cabinet mean the cabinet is simply resurface with newfangled key or discoloration . Some cabinets can not be refinished , so it ’s not always an option . Additionally , refinish a cabinet does n’t include change the door and drawers for a new design . However , this may be all a homeowner needs if their cabinet are a classic style and just a trivial worn down . The cost to refinish cabinet typically fall between $ 3,000 and $ 5,000 .

Key Cost Factors

When planning a budget for cabinet refacing cost , homeowner will need to factor in the caliber of material , the sizing of the kitchen or elbow room being update , and labor rates by location .

Quality of Materials

There are a few options for reface existing cabinet : laminate , high - timber facing , and real woodwind veneer . Laminate is the cheapest and may crack or chip over time , while real wood is the most durable option since it ’s an extremely thin piece of actual Natalie Wood put over the cabinet piece . The cost will totally depend on how many cabinets will postulate to be reface and current local rates , but some general average are as succeed .

Kitchen Size

Every cabinet that needs to be refaced adds monetary value to the full price . For any remodeling projection , large kitchens course cost more than smaller kitchens , and reface cabinets is no different . For an average full - sizing kitchen , homeowner will in all probability give between $ 7,000 and $ 12,000 to reface 30 linear infantry of kitchen cabinets . The toll per linear foot for various cabinet materials is as keep up .

Labor and Time

It ’s a metre - intensive , thought-provoking process to prep and reface cabinets . A contractor will have to cautiously measure inwardly and out before removing the doors and drawers and sandpaper down every exposed surface . Only then can the new goal be applied and the new doors , hardware , and draftsman supervene upon . In general , more than half of the total project cost will go toward task , and the lying-in cost will be higher for a more complicated project that takes longer to fill in .

Geographic Location

Labor and material costs vary significantly based on your location . Urban areas tend to have gamy costs than more rural or suburban areas , and prices differ even from one metropolitan area to the next . Here are some intermediate cabinet refacing costs by metropolis :

Additional Costs and Considerations

When venturing into a storage locker refacing project , there are additional options to improve the appearance of a kitchen or bathroom . refinish a countertop is a popular choice , but homeowner may also desire to update some cabinet accessories , hardware , or mirrors .

Countertop Refinishing

If a householder is updating very old locker , it ’s worth considering update laminate countertops simultaneously . Once the cabinets pop with a new finish , the countertops may stick out like a sore quarter round . Depending on the size of it and kind of heel counter , refinishing toll between $ 300 and $ 500 , while supersede them will cost stuffy to $ 1,875 to $ 4,350 . homeowner will want to make trusted they match the color so everything in the kitchen blends well .

Cabinet Accessories

Refacing cabinets is only one way to bring up the kitchen ’s appeal . Many homeowners also opt to add under - the - cabinet kindling ( around $ 200 to $ 300 per igniter ) , crown molding ( around $ 7 to $ 16 per linear metrical unit ) , or meth inset ( around $ 100 and $ 300 per elongate foot ) . Additional raise could include hideaway meth fanny , build up - in vino racks , or new otiose Susans . homeowner can expect their local contractors which other services they tender and at what price .

Hardware Replacements

The monetary value to supervene upon ironware on a kitchen cabinet typically fall between $ 100 and $ 1,000 , reckon on the style pick out . hat toll can increase to as in high spirits as $ 10,000 for custom or antique ironware . Replacing the cabinets ’ knob or handles could be substantive to the overall upgrade since some hardware intelligibly dates itself . price graze wide for new handles , so a householder could pay from $ 1 up to $ 100 per piece . hinge are a much cheaper piece of ironware that usually cost between $ 1 and $ 25 each .

Cabinet Mirror Replacement

Some bathrooms have a built - in cabinet mirror . These are a little more ambitious to supervene upon since they ’re a reasonably custom firearm , but homeowners can await to pay $ 250 to $ 900 , include installation . As always , this is dependent on the size and timbre of material .

Cost by Type of Material

There are four common type of finishes to choose from to reface cabinet . But within those alternative , there are several colors and grain usable . Some are a more undestroyable choice than others , but even budget - well-disposed options will play well to update the cabinet ’ appearance .

Wood Veneers

Sir Henry Joseph Wood veneers are a in high spirits - caliber choice that gives the best false wood face without the gamy monetary value of natural wood . They come as sparse strips or sheets of material made to attend like oak , birch , walnut , maple , ash , hickory , and more . They will need to be sealed to help protect against wearing out in a moist kitchen or bathroom environment . Wood facing is stronger than laminate but not as robust as real wood . The average toll ranges from $ 2,500 to $ 6,000 .

Plastic Laminate

Laminate refacing costs between $ 1,000 and $ 3,000 . It ’s one of the chinchy options that offer many colour choices . It does n’t have the long - hold out resistance to chip or cracking that other refacing materials provide . Laminate can well twine recession as compared to veneering or Ellen Price Wood , making refacing with laminate easier .

Rigid Thermofoil

In certain area , the most budget - friendly option could be rigid thermofoil laminate . It ’s a pliant laminate that also looks like forest and expect footling care . This type can be made with Formica or melamine , but the melamine edition will not work well in humid or hot environments . Homeowners will pay an average of $ 1,000 to $ 3,000 for this type of locker refacing .

Solid Wood

Solid woodwind instrument refacing material is the good longsighted - terminal figure investment funds for refacing cabinets , but it ’s also the most costly . However , solid woodwind is the easiest to repair or replace , and it lasts the longest . The door and draftsman are extremely durable after being reface . For $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 , a homeowner can have solid Natalie Wood refacing done to make their cabinets look brand new .

Benefits of Cabinet Refacing

Most Americans spend a pot of time in the kitchen , specially when it ’s design with an open floor program that extends right into a roomy sit around area . When there are previous cabinets in the kitchen , it can sense dark and dull walking into the space since they take up most of the kitchen ’s visual space . If a full kitchen remodel is n’t an option , refacing the cabinets might just give the refreshing feeling you ’re search for . There are several style and options , and the process is faster than a remodel , more cost - effective , and more environmentally friendly .

Return on Investment

A householder might be question whether refacing cabinets is a adept investment : It by all odds is . Cabinet refacing costs have a 65 to 75 percent return on investment ( ROI ) . Not only that , but fresh cabinet are a vast selling point for those take care to sell their dwelling . Additionally , refacing the cabinet helps extend their life by another 20 to 30 yr .

Style Options

There are almost as many refacing options as there are cabinet options . A homeowner can update the cabinets with hoary driftwood , bright white , or a spectacular black contemporary aspect . The color , style , or texture of the cabinets can completely transmute the room . A home refresh does n’t have to include bungle out wall , redesigning the footprint , or other expensive options when so many styles for refacing are available at a lower cost . homeowner may need to take a walk through The Home Depot or a local storage locker company to see what options are available for locker refacing .

Fast Installation

A kitchen remodel can take workweek , depending on how big the project is , but a cabinet refacing project take less than a week . It ’s the simplest and immobile way to improve any room that needs a locker update . The cabinet boxes remain in piazza , so the installer only has to reface each surface , update the hardware , and set up the new or updated doors and drawer .

Kitchen Accessibility

Most console refacing projects happen in the kitchen , where the legal age of the cabinets are located . In most cases , kitchens have more distance for the installers to crop , so it ’s easy to get the job done , which intend the homeowner will pay less for labor .

Environmentally Friendly Choice

If a householder is conscious about their C footprint or the amount of waste they produce , cabinet refacing is the most sensitive choice compared with an entire remodel . Installers do n’t want to rip out and dispose of all the old cabinets , wall , floor , or any other material that gets remove during a remodel .

Cost-Effective Choice

locker refacing is a much littler job that gives householder all the benefits of a full storage locker makeover . Homeowners will get new , clean , stylish cabinets at less than the price of instal new one since they ’ll save money on textile and labor .

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Most homeowner are mindful that installing locker can be challenging to make certain they ’re tied and even . But what about reface locker ? astonishingly enough , refacing a storage locker is consider more intriguing than install cabinets since the cloth take some time to get familiar with . reface cabinets is not to be confused with refinishing cabinets , which is a distinctive and more aboveboard DIY advance labor that many householder take on . But reface task are best go away to a pro . take mistakes can quickly wipe out away at any deliverance a homeowner may have realize by attempting aDIY storage locker refacingproject , not to mention it will likely take them much longer to complete .

Veneer , laminate , and self-coloured wood refacing material are challenging to measure and hold to the cabinets to ensure they reject falling apart or appropriate wet in over sentence . Installers utilize a variety of uncommon shaft to get the business done , too . This experience is what allow you to have freshly updated cabinet in a mere3 to 5 daysthat will last for years to come . For impart peace of mind , the initiation company should bid a warranty or guarantee to avail protect the householder ’s investment funds .

How to Save Money

We all prefer to salvage money on big home improvement projects since they can quickly eat up a budget . Fortunately , refacing your cabinets is already cheap than replacing them , so you ’re well on your elbow room to saving money . Check out these peak for save even more money on cabinet refacing costs .

Questions to Ask About Cabinet Refacing Cost

householder will always require to ask a potential contractor about their experience and if they ’re insured and licensed ( for cabinet refacing , a license and a permit may not be required , but homeowner can check local jurisdiction law for the prerequisite ) . A homeowner needs to know they ’re hiring a restricted expert who is up to the challenge . Below are some extra inquiry homeowners can ask to assist choose the right professional .

FAQs

Homeowners will have fewer determination to make for a cabinet refacing undertaking than for a full renovation , but it ’s best to have as much information as possible . work with a professional company will help alleviate concerns a householder may have and insure the calibre of the work they ’re having done . With the answers to these frequently ask interrogative , homeowners will be well inclined to start their cabinet advance undertaking .

Since refacing cabinet involves replacing only the surface of the cabinet with new materials and updating the hardware , it ’s brassy to simply reface them . Replacing cabinets costs more since the entire cabinets are removed and new ace are installed . It requires more Labour Party and stuff , which signify a householder will pay more .

Most project only take 2 to 4 days . Updating multiple rooms may take longer .

A view of a man measuring wood cabinet doors.

Photo: depositphotos.com

It count on the care and consideration of the storage locker . high-pitched - humidity environments can make for havoc on some cabinet textile , which means a homeowner may call for to reface them more oft or upgrade to a more suitable , indestructible material . cabinet with significant damage can not be refaced , so if they are sagging , warp , waste , or otherwise visibly damaged , they ’ll need to be replaced totally . Minor surface terms can be corrected during a refacing project , though . locker in good condition that are n’t damage by use or accident can be reface and last at least 20 to 30 years .

Article Sources

HomeAdvisor , Angi , Fixr

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