Cabinet Refinishing vs Refacing: Cost & Difference
Refinishing repaints or re-stains your existing doors and boxes and runs about $2,500–$6,500 for a standard Charlotte kitchen. Refacing keeps the cabinet boxes but replaces all the doors and drawer fronts and covers the box faces with new veneer, typically $8,000–$20,000+. Refinishing is best when you like your current doors and layout; refacing makes sense when you want a new door style without a full remodel.
| Refinishing | Refacing | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost (standard kitchen) | $2,500 – $6,500 | $8,000 – $20,000+ |
| What changes | New color/finish on existing doors & boxes | All-new doors & drawer fronts; boxes re-veneered |
| Door style | Same doors | New door style possible |
| Timeline | 3–5 days | 1–2+ weeks |
| Layout changes | No | No |
| Best when | You like your doors & layout | You want a new door style, boxes are sound |
How to choose
If you like your door style and layout and just want a fresh color or a dated finish gone, refinishing delivers nearly the same visual change as refacing for a fraction of the cost. Choose refacing when the boxes are sound but the door profile itself looks dated and you want a different style. Choose full replacement only when the boxes are damaged or you want to change the layout — see our refinishing vs replacement comparison.
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Send photos and door count for a written refinishing estimate — $2,500–$6,500 for most Charlotte kitchens, 3–5 days, up-to-7-year workmanship warranty.
Get a free cabinet estimate →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between refinishing and refacing cabinets?
Refinishing re-coats the doors and boxes you already have with new paint or stain. Refacing keeps the boxes but installs brand-new doors and drawer fronts and applies new veneer to the visible box faces, so you can change the door style.
Which is cheaper, refinishing or refacing?
Refinishing is cheaper — roughly $2,500–$6,500 for a standard kitchen versus $8,000–$20,000+ for refacing, because refacing involves all-new doors, drawer fronts, and veneer materials plus more labor.
When should I reface instead of refinish?
Reface when your cabinet boxes are structurally sound but you want a different door style or profile that paint alone can't deliver. If you're happy with the door shape and just want a new color, refinishing gives nearly the same visual change for far less.
Is refinishing or refacing better for resale?
Both modernize a kitchen for far less than replacement. Refinishing offers the strongest cost-to-impact ratio for a pre-listing refresh; refacing adds more if the existing door style looks dated.
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