Home / Cabinets and refacing
Kitchen cabinets and refacing in Fairfax
Cabinets set the look of the whole kitchen. If the boxes are solid, refacing gives you a new kitchen look for much less. If they're not, new cabinets are the better money. We'll tell you which.
- Free in-home estimate
- Refacing or new cabinets
- Soft-close doors and drawers
- Licensed and insured remodelers
Refacing vs. new cabinets
| Refacing | New cabinets | |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | New doors, drawer fronts, hinges and hardware; veneer over the existing boxes | Everything: boxes, doors, drawers, layout |
| Typical cost | About $5,000–$13,000 | Usually the biggest line in a $25,000–$95,000+ kitchen |
| Time | Often under a week | Part of a several-week remodel |
| Layout | Stays the same | Can change |
| Best when | Boxes are solid plywood or sound particleboard and you like the layout | Boxes are damaged or you want a new layout, an island or taller uppers |
Sources: Kitchen Cabinet Kings puts average refacing at $4,500 to $13,000. Inch Calculator's 2026 guide puts the national average at $7,000. Northern Virginia labor runs higher than average, so most local jobs land in the upper half. More in the refacing vs. new cabinets guide.
When refacing doesn't make sense
- Water damage under the sink or swelling at the bottom of the boxes
- Sagging shelves or face frames pulling away
- You want to move appliances, add an island or change the layout
- Upper cabinets that stop well short of the ceiling and you want them taller
New cabinet options
Stock cabinets are the least expensive and fastest. Semi-custom cabinets come in more sizes, finishes and organizer options, and are the most common choice in mid-range Fairfax remodels. Custom cabinets are built to the inch and cost the most. All three can have soft-close doors and full-extension drawers.
Questions about kitchen cabinets and refacing in Fairfax
How much does cabinet refacing cost?
Usually about $5,000 to $13,000 in Northern Virginia, depending on the number of doors and drawers and the veneer you choose.
Can I paint my cabinets instead?
Yes, if the doors are solid wood or MDF and in good shape. It's the cheapest update. Thermofoil and laminate doors don't take paint well.
Do I have to replace my countertops if I reface?
No. Refacing works around the counters you have. Many people do both at the same time.
Is the estimate free?
Yes. The in-home visit and written estimate are free.
