Resurface or Replace Kitchen Cabinets?

Kitchen remodeling almost always focuses on the cabinetry. Homeowners have to decide if the cost to resurface kitchen cabinets is more affordable that replacing them altogether.

Resurfacing is the process of covering over existing kitchen cabinets with new wood veneer. In most cases, cabinet resurfacing involves leaving cabinet frames, or boxes, in place while resurfacing them and adding new doors and drawer fronts.

A common guideline in pricing remodeling costs is to figure the cost of cabinets and installation at 50-60% of the total remodeling budget.

New kitchen cabinetry can be expensive and typically resurfacing will save up to 50% or more on the cost of a complete kitchen remodel. The cabinet resurfacing market in the U.S. is estimated at $300 million a year.