Cabinet Refacing Cost: What It Typically Costs and What Drives the Price
Hiring a pro to reface kitchen cabinets typically costs about $4,500 to $13,000 in the U.S., according to This Old House. Angi’s 2025 data puts the average at $7,229, with most projects between $4,233 and $10,224, and cost guides commonly quote $150 to $450 per linear foot. In Canada, one 2026 guide estimates $2,500 to $8,500 for an average kitchen including installation. These are estimates, not quotes. What you pay depends mostly on how many cabinets you have, what material covers them, and how much of the bill is labor.
Below, you’ll find the typical ranges, how to estimate your own kitchen, what extras cost, and how to compare quotes.
Typical cost ranges
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Angi (2025 data) | Average $7,229. Most projects $4,233 to $10,224. About $150 to $450 per linear foot |
| HomeGuide | $5,000 to $13,000 for an average kitchen (100 to 200 square feet). $150 to $450 per linear foot |
| This Old House | $4,500 to $13,000 hired out. $1,000 to $4,000 for DIY (materials and tools) |
| RenoQuotes (Canada, 2026) | $2,500 to $8,500 for an average kitchen, including installation |
The numbers don’t match exactly because each guide uses different data and assumptions. Treat them as a range, then get local quotes.
Cost by kitchen size
HomeGuide breaks the cost down by kitchen size:
| Kitchen size | Square feet | Typical cost to reface |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 70 to 100 | $4,000 to $10,000 |
| Average | 100 to 200 | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Large | 200 and up | $9,000 to $22,000 or more |
HomeGuide says costs land at the top of the range for large kitchens with tall or ceiling-height cabinets. The number of doors and drawer fronts matters more than floor area. One Canadian guide says a standard kitchen usually has 15 to 20 of them.
Cost by material
The surface material is the biggest price driver. HomeGuide lists these ranges:
| Material | Cost per linear foot | Typical total for an average kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate or thermofoil | $80 to $125 | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Wood veneer | $100 to $250 | $2,500 to $8,000 |
| Solid wood | $200 to $500 | $5,000 to $16,000 |
Angi describes the same pattern: laminate is the most affordable, wood veneer sits in the middle, and solid wood costs the most. HomeGuide adds that laminate is water-resistant and durable but may chip on impact, and that real wood costs two to four times more than laminate. One quirk to watch for: Angi labels the same material ranges per square foot in its table but per linear foot in its text. When a contractor quotes a unit price, ask which one they mean.
How to estimate your own kitchen
- Measure the cabinet run. Measure the length of your cabinets from one end to the other. HomeGuide says to double the measurement for walls that have both upper and lower cabinets.
- Multiply by a rate. The all-in averages quoted by Angi and HomeGuide are $150 to $450 per linear foot. For example, 25 linear feet works out to roughly $3,750 to $11,250. That’s an illustration, not a quote.
- Ask what the rate includes. The guides don’t make clear what each per-foot price covers, so ask whether a quote’s rate includes labor, hardware, and installation.
Labor
Labor is usually the larger share of the bill. HomeGuide puts it at 50% to 70% of the total, and Angi says more than half. Tight spaces and complex layouts raise it. In Canada, RenoQuotes says professional installers generally charge $60 to $110 per hour, depending on region, experience, and complexity.
That share explains why DIY looks so much cheaper on paper. This Old House puts DIY at $1,000 to $4,000, and Angi at $1,645 to $6,570 for materials. Most of the saving comes from skipping labor, and it costs you time. Mistakes also show on the most visible surfaces.
Add-ons and extras
| Extra | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware (knobs, pulls, hinges) | $100 to $1,000 total, or $6 to $60 per piece installed | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Under-cabinet lighting | $200 to $350 per fixture installed | HomeGuide, Angi |
| Glass inserts | $100 to $300 per linear foot | Angi |
| Crown molding | $210 to $570 installed in a kitchen | HomeGuide |
| Custom-made doors | $500 or more per door | Angi |
| New countertops (separate project) | $1,900 to $4,400 | Angi |
The guides don’t agree on everything. Angi puts crown molding at $700 to $2,100, for example. Get a written price for any extra you want. HomeGuide also warns that some companies leave handles and pulls out of the estimate, so ask.
Refacing compared with other options
| Option | HomeGuide typical cost |
|---|---|
| Refacing | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Full cabinet replacement | $4,500 to $15,000 or more |
| Replacing doors only | $2,200 to $6,600 |
| Refinishing | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Painting | $2,000 to $6,500 |
Other sources give different numbers. Angi lists refinishing at $1,800 to $4,200 and replacement at $2,000 to $10,000, while This Old House says refacing often costs 30% to 50% less than new cabinets. The ranges overlap, especially if you choose real wood, so quote both refacing and replacement if you’re unsure.
Canadian prices
RenoQuotes publishes the figures below for Canadian homeowners. The guide doesn’t state its currency, so confirm with local quotes. It also notes that prices run higher in big urban markets such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal.
| Material | Price per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Melamine or laminate | $80 to $160 |
| Thermofoil | $110 to $220 |
| Polymer or acrylic | $160 to $320 |
| Wood veneer or solid wood | $220 to $450 or more |
What can push the price up
- Tight or complicated layouts. HomeGuide says these raise labor costs.
- Tall or ceiling-height cabinets. They add material and time.
- Special-order veneers. They take more craftsmanship.
- Countertop access. Angi says contractors can usually reface without touching countertops, but may need to remove them temporarily if they block access to doors and drawers. Ask when you get the estimate.
- Damaged cabinet boxes. This Old House says damaged cabinets aren’t good candidates for refacing, so repairs or a different approach may be needed.
- Old door removal and disposal. HomeGuide suggests asking whether this is in the bid.
Ways to lower the cost
Angi suggests these:
- Get at least three quotes from reputable contractors.
- Choose lower-cost materials and styles.
- Pick budget-friendly hardware, or buy it and install it yourself.
- Skip extras like lighting and glass inserts. You can add them later.
Comparing quotes
Two quotes with the same total can cover different work. Ask each company for an itemized estimate that lists the number of doors and drawer fronts, the surface material, hardware, removal of the old doors, and any add-ons. HomeGuide also recommends getting at least three estimates with comparable materials, getting the estimate, contract, and warranty in writing, and not paying in full before the project starts. The lowest quote isn’t always the best value. Check licensing and insurance requirements where you live.
Where to start
Measure your cabinet run and count your doors and drawer fronts. Decide which material tier fits your budget. Then ask three companies for itemized quotes that use the same material and hardware, so you can compare them directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is cabinet refacing cheaper than replacing cabinets?
Often, but not always. This Old House says refacing typically costs 30% to 50% less than new cabinets. The cost ranges overlap, though, particularly when you choose real wood or add extras, so get quotes for both.
Why do prices differ so much between websites?
Each guide uses its own data, kitchen size assumptions, and scope. Some include hardware and some don’t, and some label per-foot prices differently. Use the guides to get a range, then rely on local quotes.
Does the cost include new countertops?
No. Countertops are a separate project, and Angi lists them at $1,900 to $4,400 on average.
