What is cabinet refacing?
Refacing means covering the existing face frames and exposed sides with new veneer or laminate and replacing the doors, drawer fronts and usually the hardware. This Old House notes that damaged cabinets aren't good candidates, because the boxes must be structurally sound. Fixr says a professional can reface an average-size kitchen in three to five days, much faster than tearing out and replacing cabinets.
Material sets the price. Fixr's 2026 guide puts thermofoil or laminate at $80 to $125 per linear foot, the cheapest and least durable option, wood veneer at $100 to $250, and solid wood at $200 to $500. Angi's 2026 data averages $7,235 for a whole kitchen, or $150 to $450 per linear foot.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Estimates differ more than for most jobs. Angi's 2026 data puts professional cabinet painting at an average of $938, with most projects between $425 and $1,463. Fixr's 2026 guide is far higher, $2,500 to $6,500 with a $4,000 average, and prices by the piece at $70 to $125 per door and $30 to $110 per drawer front. The gap reflects scope: a spray finish on removed doors, filled grain, repairs and new hinges cost far more than brushing a small kitchen in place.
Fixr says about 85% of a cabinet painting bill is labor and that a pro typically needs four to five days for an average kitchen. Compare bids on coats, spraying, primer, topcoat and whether interiors are included.
Can you paint kitchen cabinets, and what paint works?
Yes, on sound wood or MDF, with careful prep. Fixr says cabinets must be cleaned, sanded and primed with a high-adhesion bonding primer to stand up to daily use. This Old House reports many pros still favor oil-based or alkyd topcoats for a harder film, notes latex can take two to three weeks to cure fully, and warns against ammonia cleaners before alkyd paint. Going from a dark finish to a light color can take a primer and three finish coats.
For sheen, Fixr says most homeowners choose satin or eggshell; higher gloss is easier to wipe but shows every flaw. Fixr also notes that laminate and MDF surfaces can't take much sanding, so painting them works only when the surface is undamaged.
What does refinishing involve?
Refinishing strips or sands the old finish and applies new stain or a clear coat, which keeps the wood grain visible. Angi's data puts it at an average of $3,116, usually $1,992 to $4,497, and Fixr at $2,000 to $4,500 for a standard kitchen. Fixr notes it is only suitable for solid wood or some plywood cabinets, not laminate or thermofoil.
Is it safe to paint cabinets in an older Sacramento home?
If the house was built before 1978, the existing paint may contain lead, and the EPA says sanding or scraping it can create dangerous lead dust. Under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, anyone you pay to disturb paint in a pre-1978 home must be Lead-Safe Certified, unless the work disturbs 6 square feet or less per room inside. A full kitchen of cabinet doors is well over that. Homeowners working on their own homes aren't covered, but the EPA urges lead-safe practices.
When should you replace cabinets instead?
Replace when the boxes are failing or the layout is wrong. Fixr says replacement is the better choice for severe surface or structural damage, laminate or MDF cabinets with water damage, or a layout change. This Old House warns that cheap cabinets grow frail with age: thin vinyl-wrapped sides can peel and undersize particleboard bottoms and shelves can sag. Fixr's 2026 replacement range is $4,000 to $14,000 installed.
How do you update old or oak cabinets without replacing them?
Start with the cheapest change that fixes what bothers you. New hardware alone runs about $100 to $1,000 or more, Fixr says. Paint changes the color of dated wood; refinishing keeps the grain but changes the stain; refacing changes the door style and color at once.
| Option | What changes | National cost | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | Color and finish of existing doors and frames | $425–$1,463, avg $938 (Angi); $2,500–$6,500, avg $4,000 (Fixr) | Boxes and doors are sound wood or MDF |
| Refinishing | Old finish stripped, new stain or clear coat | $1,992–$4,497, avg $3,116 (Angi); $2,000–$4,500 (Fixr) | Solid wood you want to keep looking like wood |
| Refacing | New doors, drawer fronts and veneer on frames | $4,237–$10,233, avg $7,235 (Angi); $3,000–$13,500, avg $8,250 (Fixr) | Sound boxes, layout works, new style wanted |
| Replacing | Everything, often with a new layout | $4,000–$14,000, avg $7,000 installed (Fixr) | Water or structural damage, or layout changes |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does cabinet refacing cost?
How much does it cost to refinish kitchen cabinets?
Can you paint kitchen cabinets without sanding?
Sources
- Cabinet Refacing: Everything You Need to Know (updated June 2026) — This Old House
- How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost? [2026 Data] (updated Jan. 26, 2026) — Fixr
- How Much Does Resurfacing Kitchen Cabinets Cost? [2026 Data] — Angi
- How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? [2026 Data] — Angi
- How Much Does It Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets? [2026 Data] (updated Jan. 27, 2026) — Fixr
- Painting Kitchen Cabinets — This Old House
- How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Cabinets? — Angi
- Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: Contractors (minor repair 6 sq ft exception) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- How Much Does It Cost to Install Kitchen Cabinets? [2026 Data] (updated Jan. 22, 2026) — Fixr
- Cabinet Refacing Cost Guide 2026 (updated Aug. 21, 2026) — Modernize
- Are Solid Wood Cabinets All They're Cracked Up To Be? (painted doors and MDF center panels) — Superior Cabinets (manufacturer)