Cabinet Refinishing vs. Replacement: A Cost Comparison

Your kitchen cabinets are showing their age, but does that mean you need to spend tens of thousands on new ones? Not necessarily. Cabinet refinishing offers dramatic results at a fraction of the cost. Let's break down the numbers.

The Bottom Line: Cost Comparison

For a typical 10x10 kitchen, here's what you can expect to pay:

Full Cabinet Replacement: $15,000 - $30,000+ Complete tearout and installation of brand new cabinets.

Cabinet Refacing: $8,000 - $15,000 Keep boxes, replace doors and apply veneer.

Cabinet Refinishing: $3,000 - $6,000 Keep everything, transform with professional painting.

Savings with refinishing: 50-80%

What's Included in Each Option?

Cabinet Replacement

• Demolition of existing cabinets
• New cabinet boxes, doors, and hardware
• Potential countertop removal/replacement
• Possible plumbing/electrical work
• Installation of new cabinets
• Time: 2-4 weeks

  Cabinet Refacing

• Keep existing cabinet boxes
• New doors and drawer fronts
• Veneer applied to cabinet frames
• New hardware
• Time: 3-5 days

  Cabinet Refinishing (Painting)

• Keep existing cabinet boxes AND doors
• Professional cleaning and prep
• Primer and paint application
• New hardware (optional)
• Time: 3-5 days

  When Refinishing Makes Sense

  Cabinet refinishing is ideal when:

  ✅ Cabinets are structurally sound - No warping, water damage, or broken frames

  ✅ You like your current layout - The configuration works for your kitchen

  ✅ Doors and drawers function properly - Hinges, slides, and closures work well

  ✅ You want a color change - Transform oak to white, maple to gray, etc.

  ✅ Budget is a concern - Get a new look without the major expense

  ✅ Time is limited - Complete in days, not weeks

  ✅ You're planning to sell - Great ROI for home sales

  When Replacement Makes More Sense

  Consider new cabinets when:

  ❌ Cabinets are falling apart - Broken frames, delaminating particle board

  ❌ You need a new layout - Major kitchen reconfiguration planned

  ❌ Storage needs have changed - Need different sizes or configurations

  ❌ You're doing a complete renovation - Moving walls, plumbing, etc.

  ❌ Cabinets are extremely outdated - No amount of paint can modernize them

  Real Cost Breakdown

  Refinishing a Typical Kitchen

• Labor (prep, prime, paint): $2,000 - $4,000
• Materials (primer, paint, supplies): $500 - $1,000
• New hardware (optional): $200 - $500
• Total: $3,000 - $6,000

  Replacing a Typical Kitchen

• Demolition: $500 - $1,000
• Stock cabinets: $5,000 - $10,000
• Semi-custom cabinets: $10,000 - $20,000
• Custom cabinets: $20,000 - $50,000+
• Installation: $2,000 - $5,000
• Total: $8,000 - $30,000+

  The Refinishing Process

  Here's what to expect when you choose cabinet refinishing:

  Day 1: Preparation

• Remove all doors, drawers, and hardware
• Label everything for precise reinstallation
• Clean and degrease all surfaces

  Days 2-3: Priming and Painting

• Apply bonding primer
• First coat of cabinet paint
• Light sanding between coats
• Final coat of durable cabinet finish

  Day 4-5: Finishing

• Reinstall doors and drawers
• Install new hardware
• Final adjustments and touch-ups

  Our Cabinet Refinishing Results

  With professional cabinet refinishing, you can:

  - Transform dated oak cabinets to modern white

• Update honey maple to trendy gray
• Change wood tones entirely
• Match any designer color

  Making the Decision

  Ask yourself:

  1. Are my cabinet boxes in good condition?

2. Do I like my current kitchen layout?

Is my budget under $8,000?

Do I need results in less than a week?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, refinishing is likely your best option.

See the Transformation

Want to see what refinishing can do for your kitchen? Pro House Painters specializes in cabinet refinishing throughout northeastern Connecticut. We'll show you samples, discuss color options, and provide a free estimate.

Call (860) 926-3009 to schedule your free cabinet consultation!