Cabinet refacing cost runs about $4,000 to $9,500 in 2026 — roughly $100 to $250 per linear foot — with the average project near $7,229 (Modernize, Cabinet Refacing Cost, 2026). Full replacement, by comparison, starts around $5,000 and climbs past $30,000 for semi-custom cabinets. If your boxes are solid, refacing gets you a new-looking kitchen for a fraction of the price. Here’s how the two compare and when each one wins.
The decision usually comes down to one question: are your cabinet boxes still good? If yes, refacing is almost always the smarter money. If no, you’re replacing.
Not sure whether to reface or replace? We’ll assess your cabinets honestly and price both.
What Is the Cabinet Refacing Cost vs Replacing in 2026?
Cabinet refacing cost averages $4,000 to $9,500, while a full replacement ranges from around $5,000 for stock cabinets to $30,000 to $50,000 for semi-custom and $75,000-plus for custom (Angi, Reface vs Replace, 2026). Refacing typically costs 50 to 70 percent less — and up to 78 percent less — than replacing.
Refacing keeps your existing boxes and swaps the doors, drawer fronts, and a matching veneer over the frames. You get new color, new style, and new hardware without the demolition, the plumbing dance, or the weeks of downtime a full replacement brings.
Our take: if the boxes are sound and you like your layout, refacing is the highest-value move in the kitchen. Most homeowners can’t tell a refaced cabinet from a new one — but their wallet can.
When Is Cabinet Refacing Worth It?
Refacing is worth it when your cabinet boxes are structurally sound and less than about 20 years old. In that case it refreshes the look for far less and recoups roughly 70 to 80 percent of its cost at resale (CAC by Design, Refacing ROI, 2026).
Good candidates for refacing: solid wood or plywood boxes, a layout that works for you, and doors that are simply dated rather than damaged. It’s the classic mid-range upgrade — pair it with new counters and you have a transformed kitchen. See how it fits the bigger picture in our kitchen remodel ideas.
When Should You Replace Instead?
Replace when the boxes are failing or the layout has to change. Refacing can’t fix water-damaged particleboard, sagging shelves, or a kitchen that needs the sink or stove moved. If you’re reworking the floor plan, new cabinets are the only real option.
Replacement also makes sense if you’re staying long term and want a specific custom configuration. It costs more up front, but for a full gut it’s the right call. Our full kitchen remodel cost guide shows where cabinets fit in the total — they’re the single largest material line at 25 to 35 percent.
Cabinet Refacing in Fort Lauderdale
In Fort Lauderdale and across Broward, refacing is especially appealing because it skips the permit-triggering plumbing and electrical work a full gut often needs — less time, less disruption, lower cost. The key is honest cabinet assessment: a good remodeler tells you when the boxes aren’t worth saving instead of refacing over a problem.
NJL General Services has refaced and replaced cabinets across Broward for 15+ years. We’ll look at your boxes, tell you straight which path makes sense, and price both so you can decide.
Get an honest reface-vs-replace assessment and estimate
NJL General Services · Serving Fort Lauderdale & Broward County
3370 Beau Rivage Dr, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Call: (754) 610-8806 · (561) 207-0354 · (754) 333-9107
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cabinet refacing cost?
About $4,000 to $9,500 in 2026, or $100 to $250 per linear foot, with the average near $7,229. Cost depends on the number of cabinets, the door material you choose, and whether you add new drawer boxes or soft-close hardware.
Is refacing cabinets cheaper than replacing?
Yes, significantly. Refacing typically costs 50 to 70 percent less than full replacement, and up to 78 percent less. You keep the existing boxes and swap doors, fronts, and veneer, which avoids demolition and downtime.
How long do refaced cabinets last?
A quality reface lasts as long as the boxes underneath, typically decades if the frames are solid wood or plywood. That’s why refacing only makes sense when the boxes are structurally sound and not water-damaged.
Does cabinet refacing add home value?
Yes. Refacing recoups roughly 70 to 80 percent of its cost at resale by giving the kitchen a fresh, updated look for far less than new cabinets. It’s one of the better-returning mid-range kitchen upgrades.
The Bottom Line on Cabinet Refacing Cost
Cabinet refacing cost of $4,000 to $9,500 buys a new-looking kitchen for 50 to 70 percent less than replacing — as long as your boxes are sound and your layout works. Replace only when the boxes are failing or the floor plan has to change.
Start by having someone honest assess the boxes. If they’re good, reface and put the savings into counters or lighting. When you’re ready, kitchen remodeling fort lauderdale starts with a free estimate.