Cabinets are the biggest slice of your remodel budget. Here’s how to decide between refacing and replacing — with real costs and trade-offs.
Cabinets are 30–35% of a remodel — the right call here saves the most money.
Cabinets are the single biggest line item in a kitchen remodel — often 30–35% of the budget. So the refacing-vs-replacing decision matters more than almost any other. Here’s how to choose for your Jacksonville kitchen.
💡 Quick Verdict: Reface when your cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works — it saves 30–50%. Replace when boxes are damaged, or you’re changing the layout.
Refacing keeps the boxes; replacing swaps everything.
Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes and replaces the doors, drawer fronts, and veneer. Replacing tears out everything and installs all-new cabinetry. Same look on the surface — very different cost and scope.
Pros: 30–50% cheaper, much faster (days vs. weeks), less mess, keeps a working layout.
Cons: can’t change layout or box size, and won’t fix damaged or low-quality boxes.
Cost: typically $4,000–$10,000 for an average Jacksonville kitchen.
Pros: full freedom on layout, sizes, and storage; fixes damaged boxes; maximum resale impact.
Cons: costs more, takes longer, bigger disruption.
Cost: typically $8,000–$20,000+ depending on stock, semi-custom, or custom.
Reface if: boxes are solid, the layout works, and you want to save. Replace if: boxes are water-damaged or falling apart, you want a new layout, or you’re chasing top resale. In humid Florida, always check for water damage behind the sink before refacing.
Side by side:
| Refacing | Replacing | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $4k–$10k | $8k–$20k+ |
| Timeline | 2–4 days | 1–3 weeks |
| Change layout? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fix damaged boxes? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Resale impact | Good | Highest |
Yes, when your boxes are solid and the layout works — it saves 30–50% and is far faster than replacing.
Typically $4,000–$10,000 for an average kitchen, versus $8,000–$20,000+ to replace.
Replace if the boxes are damaged, you want to change the layout, or you’re maximizing resale value.
No. Refacing keeps the existing boxes and layout. Changing the layout requires new cabinets.
Save on the biggest part of your remodel.
We’ll assess your cabinets and give you an honest reface-or-replace recommendation. Request your free estimate in Jacksonville.
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