What to Know About Refacing Your Cabinets

Remodeling wisdom from The Boss’s Daughter

Key Takeaways

• Cabinet refacing replaces doors and drawers while keeping your existing cabinet boxes.

• It’s ideal if your kitchen layout stays the same and your cabinet bases are still solid.

• Refacing can save up to 50% compared to full cabinet replacement.

• Timelines are shorter — no 8–12 week wait for new cabinetry.

• You can still upgrade function with dividers, pull-outs, Lazy Susans, and new hardware.

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, cabinetry is one of the biggest investments — often around 35% of your total budget.
New cabinets can easily run $15,000–$40,000, depending on brand, materials, and customization.

But what if your layout works and your cabinets are in decent shape?
That’s where refacing comes in — the unsung hero of kitchen remodels.

Let’s break down what it is, who it’s right for, how much you can save, and what to expect when working with Toupin Construction.

What Is Cabinet Refacing?

Refacing is the process of giving your cabinets a fresh, updated look without replacing the entire structure.
Here’s what that means in practice:

1. We remove your cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

2. We inspect your cabinet boxes (the frames that hold everything together).

3. If they’re solid, we keep them — saving time, cost, and mess.

4. We then build brand-new doors and drawers to match your new look.

5. Finally, we paint, veneer, or finish the cabinet boxes so everything blends seamlessly.

You get the best of both worlds: the look of a full remodel with the budget of a smart upgrade.

For a deeper dive into how this process works on real projects, check out our blog Kitchen Refacing: A Smart, Stylish Alternative to a Full Remodel.

Is Cabinet Refacing Right for You?

Not every kitchen is a good candidate for refacing — but if your floor plan and cabinet structure are in good shape, you might be the perfect fit.

When considering your options, think about these four main factors:

1. Floor Plan

Refacing only works when your layout stays the same.
Since we’re keeping your existing cabinet boxes, we can’t move walls or drastically change the footprint.

If your cabinets are sturdy and well-built, that’s great news — you’re likely a prime candidate.
However, minor adjustments are still possible, like:

• Swapping one base cabinet for a dishwasher or wine fridge

• Adding a new cabinet end panel or filler piece for symmetry

For bigger changes, like a new island or layout shift, explore our post The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Remodeling in the East Bay to understand when full cabinet replacement makes sense.

2. Cost Savings

Cabinet refacing offers one of the biggest savings opportunities in a remodel.
By keeping your cabinet boxes, you save on materials, labor, and disposal — often up to half the cost of all-new cabinetry.

That’s money you can redirect into other upgrades, like:

• Quartz or Cambria countertops

• Custom hardware

• Under-cabinet lighting

• A new backsplash (see our Exploring the Beauty of Backsplash Heights post for inspiration)

3. Time Frame

Custom cabinets from brands like KraftMaid can take 8–12 weeks post-COVID to arrive, plus additional time for install.

With refacing, you skip that waiting period.
Most refacing projects are completed in 5–10 working days, and in many cases, you can still use parts of your kitchen during the process.

Less downtime, less disruption, same transformation.

For comparison, read Why Is Kitchen Remodeling So Expensive? — it breaks down where the time (and money) really goes.

4. Functionality

Just because you’re keeping your cabinets doesn’t mean you can’t make them better.
You can incorporate clever storage features and modern accessories to make your kitchen more functional:

• Pull-out drawers for easy access

• Adjustable shelving to fit larger items

• Drawer dividers for cutlery or utensils

• Lazy Susans in corner cabinets

• Soft-close hinges and glides for a quiet finish

And if you want to see how even small upgrades can make a kitchen feel new, check out What’s Inside Counts: Smart Cabinet Storage That Makes Life Easier.

Cost Comparison: New Cabinets vs. Refacing vs. Refinishing

New cabinets are best when you’re reworking your layout or your boxes are damaged.
Refacing shines when your boxes are solid and you want a beautiful refresh on a budget.
Refinishing works when you simply want a new paint color without replacing anything.

Refacing Steps (Toupin Construction Process)

1. Inspect existing cabinet boxes for condition and integrity.

2. Remove all doors, drawers, and hardware.

3. Prep and repair any dings or imperfections in the boxes.

4. Build new doors and drawers in your chosen style and finish.

5. Paint or veneer cabinet faces to match new pieces.

6. Install new hardware — hinges, knobs, and pulls.

7. Clean and inspect to ensure perfect alignment and finish.

Each project is handled by our specialized craftsman team — not general handymen — so every detail aligns perfectly.

You can read more about our craftsmanship approach in Carpenter or Craftsman? Know the Difference Before You Hire.Image Caption

How to Decide if Refacing Is Right for You

Here’s a quick decision checklist:

✅ Your cabinet boxes are solid and square.
✅ You’re keeping your current layout.
✅ You want to save 30–50% over new cabinets.
✅ You’d like a faster turnaround.
✅ You want to upgrade your kitchen’s look and function.

If that sounds like you — you’re a great candidate for refacing.

FAQ

Q: How do I know if my kitchen is a good candidate for refacing?
A: Keep your layout the same and confirm your cabinet bases are sturdy and level. If both are true, refacing is a strong option.

Q: Can I change my layout if I reface?
A: Not drastically, since we keep your existing boxes. Small swaps, like adding a dishwasher, are often possible.

Q: How much can I save?
A: On average, homeowners save around 50% compared to ordering new custom cabinets.

Q: How long does refacing take?
A: Most Toupin projects wrap in 5–10 days — far faster than the 8–12 week lead time for new cabinetry.

Q: Can I upgrade function while refacing?
A: Absolutely. Add pull-outs, dividers, or Lazy Susans for extra efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Cabinet refacing is one of those remodeling solutions that just makes sense — especially if you love your current kitchen layout. It’s affordable, sustainable, and surprisingly transformative.

At Toupin Construction, we’ve been remodeling kitchens across the East Bay for over 40 years, and we’ve seen how refacing can deliver the same “wow” factor as new cabinets — without the full remodel cost.

If you’re curious whether your kitchen qualifies for refacing, call our Design Center at (925) 937-4200 or visit our Kitchen Remodeling page for more insight.