Homeowner's Guide
Cabinet refacing vs.
full replacement.
The honest breakdown from a South Florida contractor — what each option costs, how long it takes, and which one actually makes sense for your kitchen.
If your kitchen feels dated, you have two main paths: reface (keep the boxes, replace everything visible) or replace (tear it all out and start from scratch). Both give you a kitchen that looks brand new — but the cost, timeline, and disruption are wildly different.
This guide is written for South Florida homeowners specifically, because humidity, salt air, and HOA rules change the calculus compared to what you'll read on national sites. We do both refacing and full custom kitchens, so we have no incentive to push one over the other — we recommend what actually makes sense for your situation.
Side-by-side comparison.
Choose refacing if...
- Your cabinet boxes are structurally solid
- You like your current kitchen layout
- You want to spend $6,500-$15,000, not $25,000-$50,000
- You need it done in days, not months
- You don't want to live without a kitchen for weeks
- You want to update the look without permits or plumbing changes
Choose replacing if...
- Your cabinet boxes are water-damaged, warped, or rotting
- You want a completely different kitchen layout
- You're doing a full gut renovation anyway
- The boxes are particle board that's delaminating
- You want to add or remove cabinets
- Budget isn't the primary concern — timeline is flexible
Common questions.
Is cabinet refacing worth it?
For most South Florida homeowners, yes. Refacing delivers a brand-new kitchen appearance at 40-60% of the cost of full replacement, with far less disruption. If your cabinet boxes are structurally solid — no water damage, warping, or termite issues — refacing gives you 15-25 years of life from a 3-5 day project. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report, kitchen updates consistently rank among the top home improvements for resale value.
When should you replace instead of reface?
Replace your cabinets if: (1) the boxes are water-damaged, warped, or structurally compromised, (2) you want to change the kitchen layout — move the island, add cabinets, reconfigure the footprint, or (3) the cabinets are particle board that's delaminating from Florida humidity. If even one of these applies, refacing won't solve the underlying problem.
Can you reface cabinets in a humid climate like South Florida?
Yes — in fact, refacing often holds up better than the original finish in humid climates. We use moisture-resistant thermofoil and wood veneers engineered specifically for coastal environments. These materials don't swell, peel, or soften the way older painted finishes and bare particleboard do when exposed to daily AC cycling, salt air, and Florida's 70-90% humidity.
How long does cabinet refacing last in Florida?
With proper materials, 15-25 years. The key is using humidity-resistant finishes from the start — not the same materials you'd use in a dry climate like Arizona. Our refaced kitchens in Pompano Beach condos that face salt air daily are holding up just as well as inland Parkland installations.
Does refacing look as good as new cabinets?
When done properly, yes. Refacing replaces every visible surface — doors, drawer fronts, and exposed box surfaces get new veneer. The result is visually identical to new cabinets because every surface you see and touch is new. The only original components are the internal cabinet boxes, which are hidden behind the new doors.
Can you change cabinet color with refacing?
Yes — you can go from any color to any color. Dark cherry to white, honey oak to navy, whatever you want. We carry hundreds of door styles and finishes. The new doors and veneer completely cover the old color, so there's no bleed-through or color matching needed.
Not sure which option is right?
Book a free in-home consultation. Sebastian inspects your cabinets, shows you material samples, and gives you an honest recommendation — even if it means telling you not to reface.
Ready to transform
your kitchen?
Start with a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll come to you with samples, ideas, and a transparent quote.