Cabinet Replacement vs RefacingKansas City 2026 Guide

After completing over 500 kitchen projects in Kansas City, the most common question I get is: "Should I replace my cabinets or just reface them?" The answer depends on your budget, timeline, and what you want to achieve.

Both options can dramatically transform your kitchen, but they serve different purposes. This guide breaks down the real costs, timelines, and trade-offs so you can make the right choice for your situation.

What is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing is a cosmetic update. Your existing cabinet boxes stay in place. We replace the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, then apply matching veneer to all visible surfaces. This Old House calls it one of the most cost-effective ways to transform a kitchen without a full renovation.

Refacing works best when your cabinet boxes are structurally sound but the style is outdated. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, cabinets built in the 1990s or earlier with solid wood or plywood boxes are often better quality than budget replacement cabinets available today.

What is Cabinet Replacement?

Cabinet replacement means starting fresh. We remove your existing cabinets completely and install new ones. This gives you full control over layout, sizes, configurations, and features.

Replacement makes sense when you want to change your kitchen layout, need different cabinet sizes, or have boxes that are damaged or poorly constructed. It is also the better choice if you are doing a complete kitchen remodel with new countertops and flooring.

Refacing vs Replacement: Pros and Cons

Each option has clear advantages and limitations. As contractors on ContractorTalk forums point out, "a good reface is indistinguishable from new cabinets, until you open a door." Here is an honest breakdown based on hundreds of projects we have completed in Kansas City:

Decision Guide: Which Should You Choose?

Choose refacing if: Your cabinet boxes are solid wood or quality plywood in good condition, you like your current layout, you want a quick transformation on a budget, and you are not planning a complete kitchen remodel.

Choose replacement if: You want to change your kitchen layout, your cabinets have water damage or are made of failing particleboard, you need different cabinet sizes or configurations, or you are doing a complete kitchen renovation.

How to Check Your Cabinet Box Quality

Before deciding, check what your cabinet boxes are made of. Open a cabinet and look at the interior sides:

Kansas City Market Considerations

In the Kansas City market, cabinet refacing and replacement costs run about 10-15% lower than coastal cities. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report, our labor costs are more affordable, but material costs are similar nationwide since most cabinets ship from the same manufacturers.

One local factor to consider: many Kansas City homes built in the 1960s-1980s have solid wood cabinet boxes that are better quality than what you would get with stock replacement cabinets today. These are ideal refacing candidates.

Homes built in the 2000s and later often have builder-grade particleboard cabinets that may not be worth refacing. If the boxes are soft, swollen, or the shelves are sagging, replacement is usually the better investment.