Paint vs. Reface vs. Replace Kitchen Cabinets: Cost Comparison (2026)
Quick answer
In 2026, professionally painting kitchen cabinets costs about $1,000 to $5,000. Refacing (new doors and veneer on the old boxes) runs about $4,000 to $13,000. Replacing cabinets costs about $6,000 for basic stock cabinets to $60,000 or more for custom work.
Cabinets are usually the most expensive part of a kitchen update. If your cabinet boxes are in good shape, you may not need new ones at all. Here is how the three options compare.
Cost comparison
| Option | Typical cost | Time | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint | $1,000 – $5,000 | 3 – 7 days | Boxes and doors are solid and you like the layout |
| Reface | $4,000 – $13,000 | 3 – 5 days | Boxes are solid but you want a new door style |
| Replace | $6,000 – $60,000+ | 2 – 6 weeks | Boxes are damaged or you want a new layout |
Painting
Painting is the cheapest way to change the look of a kitchen. Professional painters remove the doors, clean, sand, prime and spray them for a smooth finish. DIY painting can cost just a few hundred dollars, but it takes patience and careful prep.
- Pros: lowest cost, fast, no demolition
- Cons: does not change the door style, may chip over time in busy kitchens
Refacing
Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes and covers them with a new veneer, then adds new doors, drawer fronts and hardware. It looks like new cabinets without tearing out counters.
- Pros: new door style, less mess than replacing, counters can stay
- Cons: costs more than paint, the layout stays the same
Replacing
Replacing means removing the old cabinets and installing new ones. It is the only option if the boxes are water damaged, sagging or if you want to change the layout. New counters are often needed at the same time.
- Pros: fully new kitchen, new layout, best long-term result
- Cons: highest cost, longest timeline, kitchen is out of use
How to decide
- Check the boxes. Open doors and look for water damage, sagging shelves and loose joints.
- Decide if you like the layout. If not, replacing is the only real fix.
- Set a budget. See our kitchen remodel cost calculator for the full project.
- Get quotes for at least two options before deciding.
Sources: Block Renovation, Inch Calculator. Prices are national planning ranges, not quotes. See how we research costs.
