Six things are commonly not included. First, the cabinet boxes (the structure that holds the doors), which are kept in place and refaced, not replaced. Second, the countertop, which is a separate project at 2,000 to 8,000 dollars. Third, the interior of the cabinets, which is usually kept as-is and refaced with the same veneer as the exterior. Fourth, new drawer boxes (the structure that holds the drawer front), which are not replaced unless the old ones are damaged. Fifth, organizational inserts (pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, drawer dividers), which are add-ons at 200 to 1,000 dollars. Sixth, the lighting under the cabinets, which is a separate project at 100 to 500 dollars.
The right way to plan is to do the cabinet refacing and the countertop at the same time, which saves labor and avoids damaging the new cabinets during the countertop installation. The right way to budget is to assume the cabinet refacing is 60 to 70 percent of the total project cost, and the countertop, hardware, and accessories are the remaining 30 to 40 percent.
What material is right for you
Four materials are available for cabinet refacing in 2026. First, real wood veneer (oak, maple, cherry, walnut, hickory), which is the most expensive at 200 to 450 dollars per linear foot, the most durable, and the most natural-looking. The right way to care for wood veneer is to wipe it down weekly with a damp cloth and to avoid harsh chemicals. Second, laminate (Formica, Wilsonart, Pionite), which is the mid-range at 150 to 300 dollars per linear foot, the most scratch-resistant, and the most color-consistent. The right way to care for laminate is to wipe it down with a damp cloth and to use a mild soap for stuck-on food.
Third, RTF (rigid thermofoil), which is the most popular at 150 to 280 dollars per linear foot, the most moisture-resistant, and the easiest to clean. The right way to care for RTF is to wipe it down with a damp cloth and to avoid heat (RTF can delaminate if exposed to high heat, such as a self-cleaning oven). Fourth, painted MDF (medium-density fiberboard), which is the cheapest at 150 to 250 dollars per linear foot, the most customizable (any color), and the most prone to chipping. The right way to care for painted MDF is to avoid impacts and to touch up chips with a matching paint pen.
The right way to pick the material is to match the kitchen style, the budget, and the durability needs. The right wood veneer for a traditional or craftsman kitchen. The right laminate for a modern or contemporary kitchen. The right RTF for a kitchen with high moisture (near the sink, the dishwasher, or the stove). The right painted MDF for a kitchen with a unique color or a low budget.
How to find the right contractor and avoid the scams
Three filters separate a good cabinet refacing company from a bad one. First, the company should be in business for at least 10 years, which filters out the fly-by-night operators that open and close every few years. Second, the company should be licensed and insured, which protects the homeowner from liability if a worker is injured on the job. Third, the company should offer a written warranty of at least 5 years on the materials and the labor, which is the right protection against defects and installation errors.
Three red flags signal a scam. First, the price is significantly below the competition (more than 30 percent below the average for the same scope of work), which usually means the company is using low-quality materials or cutting corners on the labor. Second, the company pressures the homeowner to sign a contract on the spot, which is the classic high-pressure sales tactic. Third, the company does not provide references or a portfolio of past work, which usually means the company is new or has a bad reputation. The right way to verify is to check the company's rating on the Better Business Bureau, Google, Angi, and HomeAdvisor, and to ask for 3 to 5 references from past customers.
The right way to get quotes is to contact 3 to 5 cabinet refacing companies, ask for a free in-home consultation, and ask for a written quote that itemizes the materials, the labor, the warranty, and the timeline. The right way to compare quotes is to look at the total cost, the warranty, the materials, and the timeline, not just the price. The cheapest quote is not always the best, and the most expensive quote is not always the worst. The right way to negotiate is to ask the company to match the lowest quote for the same scope of work, which most companies will do to win the business.
The total cost in 2026 for cabinet refacing is 4,000 to 14,000 dollars for a typical kitchen, with most homeowners paying 6,000 to 10,000. The right way to budget is to assume the middle of the range, pick the material that matches the kitchen style, and hire a company with a 10 year track record and a 5 year warranty. The right way to extend the life is to wipe the cabinets down weekly, to fix any water leaks within 24 hours, and to avoid harsh chemicals. The right way to maximize the value is to do the refacing and the countertop at the same time, which saves labor and avoids damaging the new cabinets.
Photo: ClickerHappy, Pixabay Content License, via Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/kitchen-home-interior-modern-room-2165756/)
Fazlur Rahman
