Should You Reface or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Short answer: Reface if your cabinet boxes are solid and you’re happy with the layout. You’ll get a whole new look for roughly 40% to 60% less than new cabinets, usually in less than a week of work in your kitchen. Replace if the boxes are damaged, water swollen or cheap particleboard, or if you want to change the layout, add an island or move plumbing. In Vancouver, refacing a typical kitchen usually costs around $8,000 to $20,000, while new cabinets typically run $15,000 to $40,000+ before countertops and other trades.
The right answer comes down to the condition of your boxes, your layout and how long you plan to stay. Let’s compare.
Cabinet Refacing vs Replacing Cost in Vancouver
| Option | Typical Cost for an Average Kitchen | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet painting | $3,000 to $7,000 | Same doors and boxes, new colour |
| Refacing (thermofoil or laminate doors) | $8,000 to $14,000 | New doors, drawer fronts and veneer on boxes |
| Refacing (painted MDF or wood doors) | $10,000 to $20,000 | Higher end doors and finishes |
| New stock or semi custom cabinets | $15,000 to $40,000 | New boxes, doors, hardware and layout options |
| New custom cabinets | $40,000+ | Fully custom sizes, materials and storage |
These are ballpark ranges for Metro Vancouver in 2026. The final price depends on kitchen size, materials and how much extra work comes with it, like counters, backsplash and plumbing.
What Cabinet Refacing Includes
Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes and gives everything you see a makeover:
- New doors and drawer fronts in the style and material you choose
- New veneer or laminate on the exposed box frames and end panels
- New hinges (usually soft close) and new handles or pulls
- Optional upgrades, like new drawer boxes, pull outs, crown moulding or under cabinet lighting
Your countertops, sink and appliances usually stay in place, which is a big part of why refacing is faster and cheaper.
What Full Cabinet Replacement Includes
Replacement means tearing out the old cabinets completely and installing new ones:
- Removal and disposal of the old cabinets
- New cabinet boxes, doors, drawers and hardware
- The chance to change the layout, add an island, go to full height cabinets or add a pantry
- New countertops, since old counters rarely survive removal
- Often new backsplash, plumbing and electrical work, and sometimes flooring
It’s a bigger project, but you get a brand new kitchen that’s built around how you use it today.
Refacing vs Replacing vs Painting: Side by Side Comparison
| Painting | Refacing | Replacing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Changes the door style | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fixes damaged boxes | No | No | Yes |
| Changes the layout | No | No | Yes |
| Countertops | Stay | Usually stay | Usually replaced |
| Time in your kitchen | 3 to 7 days | 2 to 5 days | 2 to 6+ weeks |
| Permit needed | No | No | Sometimes (if plumbing, electrical or walls change) |
| How long it lasts | 5 to 10 years before touch ups | 10 to 20 years | 20+ years |
When Refacing Makes Sense
- Your cabinet boxes are solid wood or plywood and in good condition
- You like your current layout and it works for you
- Your countertops are in good shape and you want to keep them
- You want a big visual change without a full renovation
- You’re selling within a few years and want an update that pays off
- You want to avoid weeks without a kitchen
When You Should Replace Instead
- The boxes are water damaged, sagging or swollen, especially under the sink
- The cabinets are cheap particleboard that won’t hold new hinges well
- You want to change the layout, add an island or open up a wall
- You need more storage, taller uppers or better drawers
- You’re already replacing countertops, flooring and appliances
- You plan to stay long term and want a kitchen built for your needs
If you’re replacing the counters anyway, the savings from refacing get a lot smaller, and replacement often ends up being better value.
What Affects the Final Cost
- Kitchen size and the number of doors and drawers
- Door material and style, like thermofoil, painted MDF or solid wood
- Hardware, including soft close hinges, drawer slides and pulls
- Add ons, like pull outs, crown moulding, lighting and new drawer boxes
- Cabinet grade for replacement: stock, semi custom or custom
- Other trades, like countertops, backsplash, plumbing, electrical and flooring
- Condo requirements, like elevator bookings, work hours and strata approval
Timeline and Disruption: How Long Each Option Takes
Refacing: After measuring, doors are usually made in about 3 to 6 weeks. The actual work in your home often takes just 2 to 5 days, and you can still use your kitchen most of the time.
Replacing: Semi custom and custom cabinets often take 4 to 10 weeks to build. The install and related trades (counters, backsplash, plumbing) usually mean 2 to 6 weeks of a kitchen that’s partly or fully out of use. If your project needs permits, add that time too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cabinet refacing worth it?
Yes, if your boxes are in good shape and you like the layout. It gives you a new look for much less than new cabinets.
How long does cabinet refacing last?
Usually 10 to 20 years, depending on the door material and how solid the original boxes are.
Can you reface particleboard cabinets?
Sometimes, but if the boxes are weak or swollen, replacement is the better long term choice.
Is painting cabinets cheaper than refacing?
Yes, painting is the cheapest option, but it doesn’t change the door style and needs touch ups sooner.
Do I need a permit to reface cabinets?
No, refacing is cosmetic and doesn’t need a permit. Condos may still need strata notice or approval.
Can I keep my countertops if I replace cabinets?
Rarely. Most countertops get damaged during removal or don’t fit new cabinets.
How much does it cost to reface a small kitchen?
Small condo kitchens can often be refaced for well under $10,000, depending on materials.
Does refacing add value when selling?
Yes, an updated kitchen helps a home show better, and refacing is one of the most cost effective ways to get there.
Not Sure Whether to Reface or Replace? Book an On Site Assessment
The best way to decide is to have someone look inside your cabinets. Box condition, material and layout tell you almost everything.
At Reimagine Construction and Renovation, we help homeowners across Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Burnaby make this call every week. With over 15 years of kitchen renovation experience, we’ll check your cabinets, walk you through refacing and replacement options with real numbers, and recommend what actually makes sense for your kitchen and budget.
Book your free on site assessment today. Call 604 339 9491 or contact us through our website.
