Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Cost Calculator
Get an instant free estimate for kitchen cabinet refacing based on your cabinet size, material, and door style.
How is Cabinet Refacing Cost Calculated?
Cabinet refacing is priced by linear foot (LF) — the total wall-to-wall length of your upper and lower cabinet runs. The base rate per LF depends on the door material, ranging from $100/LF for laminate to $225/LF for solid wood. Door style, cabinet condition, and hardware selection then adjust that base rate up or down. A typical kitchen at 24 total LF runs $2,500–$7,000 fully installed.
Estimate Your Project Cost
Project Location
Enter your state and zip code for a localized estimate.
Cabinet Size
Enter the total linear feet (LF) of upper and lower cabinets. Measure wall-to-wall along each run.
Door Material:
Door Style:
Cabinet Condition:
Hardware:
Add-On Services:
Key Factors Influencing Cabinet Refacing Rates
Material Choice
Material is the single biggest cost driver. Laminate is the most affordable — durable and available in many colors and finishes. RTF (thermofoil) is the most popular mid-range choice, offering routed door profiles and a seamless look. Wood veneer gives a genuine wood grain that accepts stain or paint. Solid wood commands the highest price but offers the most customization and longest lifespan.
Door Style and Cabinet Condition
- Flat / Slab: The most affordable profile — no routed edges or inset panels.
- Shaker: The most popular style in 2026 — a five-piece frame with a flat recessed center panel; adds ~10% to door cost.
- Raised Panel: A center panel raised above the surrounding frame — traditional look; adds ~20%.
- Poor Condition Boxes: Loose joints, water swelling, or delaminated face frames must be repaired before refacing — adds 15–35% to overall cost.
Average Cabinet Refacing Cost by Material
| Material | Rate per LF | Avg 24 LF Kitchen | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $75 – $110 | $1,800 – $2,600 | Budget refresh, rental properties |
| RTF / Thermofoil | $100 – $135 | $2,400 – $3,200 | Most kitchens — great value |
| Wood Veneer | $130 – $200 | $3,100 – $4,800 | Stainable finish, premium look |
| Solid Wood | $175 – $275 | $4,200 – $6,600 | High-end remodel, custom finishes |
Popular Add-On Upgrades
| Upgrade | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soft-Close Hinges | $8/LF (~$200–$300) | Most popular upgrade — eliminates slamming doors. |
| Pull-Out Shelves | $150 each (~$450/set of 3) | Dramatically improves lower cabinet accessibility. |
| Under-Cabinet LED Lighting | $250 – $450 | Adds ambiance and task lighting; easy to run during refacing. |
| Crown Molding | $10–$15/LF | Adds a high-end finished look at the top of upper cabinets. |
How to Estimate Cabinet Refacing Cost Manually
Cabinet refacing is priced primarily by linear footage — not by the number of doors or square footage of the kitchen floor. Follow these 4 steps for a reliable baseline:
Step 1: Measure Cabinet Linear Footage
Measure the total wall-to-wall length of your upper cabinet runs and your lower cabinet runs separately (in feet). A typical kitchen has 10–16 LF of upper cabinets and 10–16 LF of lower cabinets, totaling 20–30 LF. Count upper and lower cabinets separately — lower cabinets with more drawer fronts cost slightly more to reface.
Step 2: Select a Material Rate
Use these per-LF ranges as your base:
- Laminate: $75–$110/LF — most affordable, durable, wide color range
- RTF / Thermofoil: $100–$135/LF — routed profiles, seamless finish, popular mid-range
- Wood Veneer: $130–$200/LF — genuine wood look, can be stained or painted
- Solid Wood: $175–$275/LF — highest durability and customization
Step 3: Adjust for Style and Condition
Multiply your base rate by the door style factor (flat = 1.0×, shaker = 1.1×, raised panel = 1.2×, cathedral = 1.3×). Then multiply again by condition (good = 1.0×, moderate = 1.15×, poor = 1.35×). A kitchen in poor condition with an arched door style at the RTF base rate would be: $120 × 1.3 × 1.35 = $210/LF.
Step 4: Add Hardware and Extras
Add hardware costs: keeping existing is free; standard new hardware adds ~$20/LF; premium adds ~$45/LF. Then add any extras:
Total LF × (Material × Style × Condition) + Hardware/LF + Add-ons = Estimate
Example: 24 LF, RTF Shaker, good condition, standard hardware: 24 × (120 × 1.1 × 1.0) + (24 × 20) = 24 × 132 + 480 = $3,648.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is cabinet refacing — what gets replaced and what stays?
Cabinet refacing replaces all visible exterior surfaces while keeping the existing cabinet box structure. What gets replaced: all cabinet doors, all drawer fronts, and a veneer or laminate skin applied to the exposed sides and face frames of the cabinet boxes. What stays: the interior box (sides, top, bottom, back), the toe kick boards, and existing shelving. Because 50–60% of the cabinet structure is reused, refacing is significantly cheaper than full replacement.
How much does kitchen cabinet refacing cost on average?
A typical U-shaped or L-shaped kitchen (22–28 linear feet of cabinets) in RTF or wood veneer with shaker-style doors costs $3,500–$6,500 fully installed in 2026. Budget kitchens with laminate flat-slab doors can come in at $2,000–$3,500. High-end projects with solid wood, raised panel doors, premium hardware, and soft-close hinges throughout can reach $7,000–$12,000+.
Is cabinet refacing worth it compared to full replacement?
Refacing typically costs 40–60% less than full cabinet replacement and takes 2–4 days versus 1–3 weeks for a full remodel. It is worth it when your cabinet boxes are structurally sound and your kitchen layout works well for your needs. Refacing is NOT worth it if: the boxes are water-damaged, warped, or particle-board that is swelling; you want to change the layout (add an island, remove a peninsula); or the total refacing cost is within 30% of full replacement pricing.
What is the difference between RTF (thermofoil) and wood veneer doors?
RTF (Rigid Thermofoil) doors are MDF (medium-density fiberboard) with a thin vinyl film heat-pressed over a routed profile. They are seamless, moisture-resistant, easy to clean, and available in many colors and profiles. Their weakness: the thermofoil can peel or blister near heat sources (oven, dishwasher steam). Wood veneer doors use a real thin-sliced wood layer over MDF or solid wood, giving you a genuine wood look that can be stained or refinished — but at a higher price point.
How long does the cabinet refacing process take?
Most standard kitchens (20–30 LF of cabinets) take 2–4 business days from start to finish. Day 1 involves removing old doors and drawer fronts, cleaning and lightly sanding the boxes, and applying the veneer/laminate skin. Days 2–3 involve installing new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Kitchens with complex custom features, glass inserts, or significant repair work may take 4–7 days.
Can I reface cabinets myself as a DIY project?
Partial DIY is feasible — you can purchase pre-made doors and RTF or peel-and-stick veneer sheets, then install them yourself. However, achieving professional results requires a heat gun, precise measurements, router skills for fitting doors, and patience for face frame veneer application. Mistakes on veneer application or door hinge alignment are common and difficult to fix without starting over. Most homeowners who attempt DIY refacing end up paying a pro to fix errors. Budget $800–$2,000 in materials for a DIY approach vs. $3,000–$7,000 for professional installation.
What door styles are available for cabinet refacing?
The four most common styles for refacing are: Flat/Slab (completely smooth, modern aesthetic — cheapest), Shaker (five-piece frame with a recessed center panel — the most popular style in 2026), Raised Panel (center panel raised above the frame — traditional or transitional look), and Cathedral/Arch (shaker or raised panel with an arched top rail — adds a decorative curve premium). Each step up in style complexity adds 10–30% to the door cost due to more material and machining time.
Does cabinet refacing include new countertops?
No — countertops are a separate project from cabinet refacing. A refacing contractor will typically disconnect the countertop to access the cabinet boxes, then reinstall it. If your countertops are in good condition, this is seamless. If you want new countertops, coordinate the timing so the countertop contractor follows immediately after the refacing project, since the cabinet dimensions will not change (the boxes stay the same size).
How do soft-close hinges and drawer slides work with refacing?
Soft-close hinges and drawer slides are one of the most popular upgrades during a refacing project because the cabinets are already open and accessible. European-style soft-close concealed hinges are installed directly on the new doors and the interior box sides. Soft-close undermount drawer slides replace the existing slides inside the cabinet box. Expect to add $8–$15 per linear foot for full soft-close upgrade, or roughly $300–$500 for a full kitchen.
What should I ask a contractor before hiring them for cabinet refacing?
Key questions: (1) Do you use solid wood or MDF core for new doors? (MDF is standard and fine — solid wood costs more but matters if you want to paint or repaint later.) (2) Is the veneer on the cabinet boxes peel-and-stick or heat-activated? (Heat-activated bonds are more durable.) (3) What is the door warranty, and who backs it — the door manufacturer or your company? (4) Can I see 2–3 completed projects similar to mine? (5) Is hardware installation included, and do I need to supply the hardware? Getting at least 3 quotes is strongly recommended since refacing pricing varies widely by market and contractor.