Three levels of refacing: We quote cabinet refacing at three levels. Lowest cost: new doors and drawer fronts with the cabinet boxes painted. Medium: new doors plus wood or painted veneer on the cabinet ends, with face frames painted or veneered. Highest: a complete veneer job with new doors, moldings and trim. The ranges below cover all three.
The short answer
Most cabinet refacing projects in Western Massachusetts cost between $10,000 and $29,000. A typical project — mid-size kitchen, standard door style, solid finish — usually falls in the $12,000–$22,000 range. Projects with islands, ceiling extensions, pantries, or premium materials run toward the higher end: $20,000–$30,000.
For context, replacing just the doors and drawer fronts typically runs roughly $6,000–$15,000, and a full kitchen cabinet replacement typically costs $35,000–$50,000 or more.
What affects the price of refacing
Kitchen size and door count
The number of doors and drawer fronts is one of the primary cost drivers. A small kitchen with 12–15 doors costs less than a large kitchen with 30+ doors. Layout complexity — L-shapes, U-shapes, galley kitchens with lots of corners — also affects labor time.
Door style and material
Shaker doors (the most popular current style) are moderately priced. Raised panel doors with more profile work cost more. Flat slab doors can be less expensive. The material also matters — paint-grade MDF doors are on the lower end; natural woods like white oak or red birch are on the higher end.
Veneer on the cabinet boxes
This is what separates refacing from door replacement. Every visible face frame and exposed cabinet side gets new veneer, and that surface area — plus the labor to apply it so it doesn't lift or bubble later — is a large part of the difference between the two price ranges.
Finish type
Painted finishes are typically in the middle of the price range. Stained natural wood finishes in premium species like white oak or red birch cost more per square foot. Two-tone designs (different colors for upper and lower cabinets) add modest cost.
Upgrades and additions
The same upgrades show up whether you reface, replace doors, or build new:
- Soft-close hinges and drawer slides — popular upgrade, modest cost
- New drawer boxes — when existing drawers are worn or dated
- Interior organizers and pull-outs — lazy Susans, trash pullouts, drawer organizers
- Ceiling extensions — closing the gap between upper cabinets and ceiling
- Crown molding and light rail — adds a finished, furniture-like look
- Hardware — pulls and knobs, typically included or priced per piece
Per square foot pricing
Some contractors price refacing by the square foot of exposed cabinet surface. As a general reference:
| Material | Per sq ft range |
|---|---|
| Paint-grade materials | $20–$25/sq ft |
| Natural wood (white oak, red birch) | $40–$50/sq ft |
What a refacing quote should include
If you're comparing refacing quotes, a complete one should include: new doors and drawer fronts, new paint or veneer on exposed cabinet box surfaces, installation labor, new hinges (typically soft-close), and basic hardware if specified. Get clarity on what's included before comparing quotes — a lower number that excludes hardware, installation, or veneer may not actually be a better deal.
Refacing vs. new doors vs. painting vs. new cabinets
| Cabinet painting | New doors | Refacing | Full replacement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical range | $4,900–$9,900 | ~$6,000–$15,000 | $10,000–$29,000 | $35,000–$50,000+ |
| Change door style | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cabinet boxes | Painted | Kept; painted if needed | Kept; veneered | Replaced |
| Timeline | 5–8 days on-site | 4–8 days on-site | 4–10 days on-site | 3–8+ weeks |
The doors-only range is a budgeting band, not a price list — here's how door replacement is actually priced.
Which one fits your kitchen
Stand in your kitchen with every door closed, then open them all and look at the face frames and the box sides that show between and beside the doors.
- Frames and box sides still look good: new doors and drawer fronts are all you need.
- Frames are tired, and you're going painted: new doors, with the boxes painted to match — our lowest-cost level of refacing.
- Frames are tired, and you want a stained wood look: paint won't give you that. Veneered ends and frames, or a complete veneer job, is where refacing earns its cost.
- Boxes are water-damaged or sagging, or the layout needs to change: that's a new cabinets or remodel conversation.
Want a real number for your kitchen? Send a few photos and Raymond can give you a ballpark for new doors on a 15-minute phone call. Schedule a call →