Cabinet Refacing vs Full Replacement: Which Saves More?

When your kitchen cabinets look dated but the boxes are still solid, you face a common decision: reface them or replace them entirely? Both options can transform the look of your kitchen, but they come with very different costs, timelines, and results. If you are weighing your options, here is a practical comparison to help you decide. You can also visit our custom cabinetry page to see the full range of cabinet solutions we offer.

What Is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing keeps the existing cabinet boxes in place and replaces the visible surfaces — the doors, drawer fronts, and side panels. The boxes get covered with a matching veneer or laminate so everything looks uniform. New hinges and hardware are installed, and the result is a kitchen that looks completely different without the demo and reconstruction of a full replacement.

What Is Full Cabinet Replacement?

Full replacement means removing everything — boxes, doors, drawer slides, shelving — and installing brand-new cabinets from scratch. This gives you total control over the layout, storage configuration, materials, and finishes. If you want to change the cabinet footprint, add an island, or reconfigure the kitchen entirely, full replacement is the only way to get there.

Cost Comparison

For a typical Fort Myers kitchen with 20 to 30 cabinet doors:

• Refacing: $5,000 to $12,000 depending on door style and material
• Full replacement (stock cabinets): $10,000 to $20,000 including installation
• Full replacement (semi-custom or custom): $18,000 to $40,000 or more

Refacing typically runs 40 to 60 percent less than full replacement, making it the budget-friendly winner when the goal is a cosmetic update.

Timeline Comparison

Refacing can usually be completed in 3 to 5 days because there is no demolition, no countertop removal, and no plumbing or electrical disconnection. Your kitchen stays partially usable throughout the process. Full cabinet replacement takes 2 to 4 weeks for stock cabinets and up to 8 to 12 weeks if you are ordering custom cabinets, which need to be manufactured before installation begins.

When Refacing Makes Sense

• Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound with no water damage, warping, or delamination
• You are happy with the existing kitchen layout
• You want to update the look without a full kitchen renovation
• Your budget is limited but you want a noticeable improvement
• You do not need more or different storage configurations

When Full Replacement Is Worth the Investment

• Cabinet boxes are damaged, warped, or showing signs of moisture problems (common in Florida kitchens)
• You want to change the layout — move the sink, add an island, or reconfigure storage
• You need features like soft-close hinges, pull-out shelves, or custom organizers built into the cabinet design
• You are doing a full kitchen renovation and want everything new
• The home is older and cabinets are not standard sizes, making refacing difficult to match properly

A Third Option: Fabuwood Cabinets

If you decide on full replacement, you do not have to choose between cheap stock cabinets and expensive fully-custom ones. Fabuwood cabinets offer semi-custom quality — solid wood construction, dovetail drawers, soft-close hardware — at a price point well below traditional custom cabinetry. Alliance Construction has a Fabuwood showroom in Fort Myers where you can see door styles, finishes, and configurations in person before making a decision.

The Bottom Line

Refacing saves you money and time if your existing cabinets are in good shape and you are satisfied with the layout. Full replacement costs more but gives you a completely fresh start with better materials, modern storage solutions, and the freedom to redesign your kitchen. Both are valid paths — the right choice depends on your goals and budget.

Not sure which direction makes sense for your kitchen? Alliance Construction can assess your existing cabinets and walk you through both options with honest pricing. Call (239) 244-4341 or visit our Fort Myers showroom to see Fabuwood cabinets in person.

About the Author

Natan Collodetti

Natan Collodetti is the Owner of Alliance Construction & Renovation, a licensed general contractor (CBC1268590) serving Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. With hands-on experience in kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, and whole-home transformations, Natan leads a team dedicated to quality craftsmanship and transparent communication. Alliance Construction operates from their Fort Myers showroom at 11751 Metro Pkwy STE 1. PHP: 2026-02-14 20:47:37 [notice X 0][/home/alliancecon/public_html/staging/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/experiments/manager.php::132] version_compare(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($version2) of type string is deprecated [array ( 'trace' => ' #0: Elementor\Core\Logger\Manager -> shutdown() ', )]