Cabinet work is the single biggest cost driver in a kitchen remodel. Here's how to decide between refacing, painting, and full replacement — and when each option makes sense.
What Cabinet Refacing Actually Is — and What It Costs
Cabinet refacing means keeping the existing cabinet boxes (the structural carcasses) in place and replacing the door fronts, drawer fronts, and applying a veneer or laminate to the exposed box faces. The layout, the box dimensions, and the interior storage remain identical — only the visible surfaces change. In Tampa, cabinet refacing typically costs $4,000–$10,000 for an average-size kitchen, compared to $15,000–$35,000 for full semi-custom cabinet replacement. Refacing takes 3–5 days versus 3–6 weeks for a full renovation including demolition, installation, and finishing. If your current cabinet layout works and the boxes are structurally sound, refacing delivers meaningful visual impact at roughly one-third the cost.
When Your Existing Boxes Are Worth Keeping
Cabinet boxes built before the late 1980s were often made from solid wood or high-quality plywood — they can last 50+ years and are genuinely worth refacing. Boxes built since the 1990s are more commonly particleboard or MDF; these can be fine to reface if they show no signs of swelling, soft spots, or water damage. The inspection checklist: open every door and look for swelling at the bottom corners of base cabinets (sign of moisture damage), check that drawers slide smoothly without wobbling (sign of structural integrity), look inside for any signs of mold or pest damage, and confirm that hinge mounting points are solid. If boxes pass this check and your layout functions well, refacing is a legitimate option.
When You Need Full Cabinet Replacement
Full replacement is the right call in four situations. First, when your current layout genuinely doesn't work — if the kitchen is poorly designed with inadequate storage, dead corners, or a bad workflow, no amount of refacing fixes that. Second, when the existing boxes show water damage, swelling, or structural failure. Third, when you want to change the cabinet configuration significantly — adding an island, extending upper cabinets to the ceiling, or changing cabinet height. Fourth, when your existing cabinets are builder-grade particleboard with a layout that wastes space: the upgrade to properly built semi-custom boxes with full-extension drawers and better organization is a significant functional improvement that refacing can't provide.
Semi-Custom vs. Custom vs. Stock Cabinet Options
Stock cabinets come in fixed sizes and limited finishes, and are available immediately from home improvement stores; they run $60–$200 per linear foot installed and are the lowest-cost option. Semi-custom cabinets are manufactured in a wider range of sizes and finishes, with shorter lead times than custom — they run $150–$500 per linear foot installed and represent the best value for most Tampa remodels. Custom cabinets are built to any specification by a local cabinet maker and run $500–$1,200+ per linear foot; they're appropriate for unusual kitchen configurations or when a very specific aesthetic can't be achieved any other way. For most Tampa kitchens in the $35,000–$75,000 remodel range, semi-custom cabinets from brands like Wellborn, Kraftmaid, or Merillat hit the quality and price point that makes sense.
What Protek Recommends for Different Budgets
For budgets under $20,000, cabinet painting or refacing combined with new countertops, hardware, and lighting delivers the best visual impact per dollar. For budgets of $20,000–$50,000, semi-custom cabinet replacement with new countertops and appliances is the right move — you get improved function, better storage, and a fully updated look that adds resale value. For budgets above $50,000, full custom or high-end semi-custom cabinets with premium countertops, integrated appliances, and quality tile become the appropriate investment. Protek handles cabinet supply and installation in-house, which eliminates the coordination problems that arise when design and installation are separate. Our design team will give you an honest recommendation on whether refacing makes sense for your specific kitchen before we quote anything.
Protek Kitchen & Bath
Tampa Bay Remodeling Experts Since 2019
Ready for Your Kitchen or Bath Remodel?
Get fast, honest service from Tampa Bay's most trusted remodeling team.