Kitchen Refacing: A Smart, Stylish Alternative to a Full Remodel

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Key Takeaways

• Refacing keeps sound cabinet boxes, adds new doors, drawers, and hardware, and updates frame faces with 3/8" solid wood overlays or professional paint.

• If your layout stays the same, no permits are required, saving time and hassle.

• Most refacing projects wrap in 5–10 days, with partial kitchen use during the work.

• Refacing costs less than full cabinetry replacement while delivering a fresh, high-end look.

• Add-ons like crown molding, toe-kick drawers, and under-cabinet lighting create a custom finish.

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Why Refacing Deserves More Credit

After more than forty years in remodeling, we’ve heard every misconception about kitchen refacing. Many homeowners think it’s just a “band-aid fix” until they can afford a real remodel — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

When done right, a professional reface transforms your kitchen with craftsmanship and care — and the finished look often rivals a full remodel at a fraction of the cost.

For a deeper look at what drives remodel value, check out Marco kneels on the floor applying primer to lower cabinet frames during a kitchen refacing project. The upper cabinets are masked with plastic for paint protection, and the workspace is prepped with drop cloths for a clean, safe finish. 

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What a Toupin Kitchen Reface Looks Like

If your kitchen’s footprint works — meaning you’re happy with the layout and don’t need to move walls, plumbing, or electrical — refacing could be your perfect solution.

Here’s what’s included:

1. Cabinet Frames Stay Put: We keep your existing box frames if they’re in good condition.

2. New Doors and Drawers: All doors and drawer fronts are replaced with brand-new ones in your chosen style.

3. Upgraded Hardware: Hinges, drawer glides, knobs, and pulls are replaced or upgraded.

4. Solid Wood Overlays: We apply 3/8" solid wood veneer to the cabinet frames and stain or finish to your preference.

5. Professional Painting Option: For a budget-friendly refresh, we offer a durable paint finish — and yes, quality painting is 90% prep and 10% paint.

(Right now, Marcos is sanding and prepping the cabinet boxes while doors are being primed off-site — it’s all about precision and process.)

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Step-by-Step Refacing Process

1. Inspection: Evaluate existing box frames and confirm they’re structurally sound.

2. Removal: Take off old doors, drawers, and hardware.

3. Surface Prep: Sand, repair nicks, and clean all surfaces.

4. Overlay or Paint: Apply 3/8" solid wood veneer or professional paint finish.

5. Install New Doors and Drawers: Fit soft-close hinges and glides.

6. Add Hardware and Details: Knobs, pulls, and trim installed.

7. Final Touches: Punch list, alignment checks, and clean-up.

Learn how these steps fit into a full remodel timeline in The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Remodeling in the East Bay.

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Customization Options

Many clients use refacing as a chance to personalize their space. Some of our favorite add-ons include:

• Crown molding for a built-in finish

• Toe-kick drawers for clever hidden storage

• Light rails and under-cabinet lighting for ambience and function

• Decorative hardware that reflects your personality

If you love exploring design upgrades, you’ll also enjoy:

• Cabinetry 101: A Complete No-Nonsense Guide to Styles, Materials, Layouts & Smart Upgrades

• A KraftMaid Cabinet Story

• Moises and Bryan  work together on a kitchen cabinet reface. One applies paint to the upper cabinet frames while another prepares surfaces on a step ladder. Cabinets are taped and masked, and crown molding lines the ceiling for a clean, polished look. 

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The Benefits of Cabinet Refacing

1. No Permits Needed

If you’re not changing plumbing, walls, or electrical, permits aren’t required — meaning less red tape and fewer delays.

Learn more about local regulations in California-Specific Electrical Codes and Kitchen Electrical Codes Every Homeowner Should Know.

2. Cost-Effective Upgrade

Cabinetry can be one of the biggest line items in a kitchen remodel. Refacing delivers the “brand-new kitchen” look without the hefty price tag.

3. Fast Turnaround

Most refacing projects finish in five to ten days — compared to six or more weeks for a full remodel — and you can often keep parts of your kitchen functional during the work.

4. Sustainability

By reusing your existing boxes, you reduce waste and keep perfectly good materials out of the landfill.

5. Added Home Value

Updated cabinetry makes an immediate impact on resale and your daily enjoyment of the space.

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Cost Factors & Durability

Pricing depends on kitchen size, door style, finish, and any extras like moldings or lighting. While we don’t post flat rates, refacing usually costs 30–50% less than full replacement.

With proper prep and quality finishes, painted refaced cabinets last 10–15 years; stained wood veneers can last even longer.

If you’re wondering how to compare your budget to other remodeling paths, visit Top 10 Remodeling Ideas You Can Do on a Budget.

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Is Refacing Right for You?

If you love your kitchen’s layout but want a fresh, modern look without major demolition, cabinet refacing could be your ideal solution.

At Toupin Construction, we treat every reface like a custom build — with craftsmanship, precision, and the same level of detail as our full remodels.

Serving Walnut Creek, Rossmoor, Orinda, Lafayette, Concord, and beyond, we’ve helped East Bay homeowners modernize kitchens beautifully for over 40 years.

Ready to see if refacing is the right fit?
???? Call 925-937-4200 or contact us online to schedule a design consultation.A kitchen mid-reface with cabinet doors removed and countertops protected with blue plastic sheeting. Black tile backsplash and open shelving show progress as painters prepare for finishing. Buckets, brushes, and tape lines mark an organized work zone. 

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FAQ

Q: How do I know if my kitchen is a good fit for refacing?
A: If your layout works and your cabinet boxes are in good condition, refacing is an excellent choice.

Q: What exactly gets replaced during refacing?
A: We replace all doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Visible frame faces get new wood overlays or professional paint.

Q: Will I need permits?
A: Not if you’re keeping the same layout — no walls, plumbing, or electrical changes mean no permit.

Q: How long does a typical reface take?
A: Most projects are completed within 5–10 days, and you can usually still use parts of your kitchen.

Q: Can I customize the look?
A: Absolutely. Add crown molding, toe-kick drawers, under-cab lighting, or any hardware finish you love.