How Replacing or Refacing Cabinet Doors Can Affect Home Value What additional costs should I expect when replacing cabinet doors? How do I measure my cabinet boxes accurately for new doors? What are the most common materials used to make kitchen cabinet doors? What styles of kitchen cabinet doors are available—and how do you choose?
How long does it take to replace the doors on kitchen cabinets? What does a contractor do when replacing cabinet doors?
Your kitchen cabinets play an important part in keeping your kitchen looking as beautiful as the day it was finished, and when it comes to home improvement, kitchen designs and kitchen renovations play a major role. Kitchen cabinet doors are more prone to damage than the rest of the cabinets.
If your cabinet doors are damaged, you have numerous alternatives, including totally fixing the cabinets, either replacing or refacing them. It makes no sense to take this path if the remainder of the cabinet is still functional. Instead, consider searching for new cabinet doors.
Updating your cabinet doors—whether you opt for replacing or refacing—can make a surprising difference to your kitchen’s overall appearance without breaking the bank. This straightforward upgrade instantly refreshes tired spaces, often making the entire kitchen look cleaner and more modern. Plus, kitchens are a focal point for potential buyers.
A kitchen that appears well-maintained and up-to-date gives the impression that the home is cared for, which can, in turn, help to boost the value of your property.
Even small changes like new cabinet fronts can make your kitchen stand out in a crowded real estate market—think of it as a facelift for your home’s most-used gathering spot.
If you’re hoping to increase your home’s resale value without tackling a complete renovation, new cabinet doors pack a big punch for a relatively modest investment. The average cost of replacing cabinet doors with installation costs is determined by various factors, including door size and materials used.
In average, you should budget between $100 and $800 for a new cabinet installation. However, keep in mind that this is a less expensive choice than entirely rebuilding your kitchen cabinetry. Without factoring in installation expenses, replacing your cabinets can cost anywhere from $3,800 to $10,000 or more.
If you want to commission custom cabinets, a professional cabinet builder should cost around $90 per hour. When planning to refresh your kitchen’s look by swapping out cabinet doors , it’s important to budget for more than just the new door panels themselves.
There are a few extra expenses that often catch homeowners by surprise: Hardware and Hinges: New doors typically require new hinges or upgraded hardware , especially if the old ones are worn or incompatible with the new doors. These pieces might seem minor, but costs can add up quickly with multiple cabinets.
Finishing Supplies: Unless your cabinet doors come pre-finished, you’ll need paint, varnish, or stain, as well as brushes, rollers, or spray equipment to give them a polished appearance. Cleaning Materials: Prepping surfaces means picking up cleaning supplies to remove dust and grease, ensuring better paint or stain adhesion.
On average, plan for approximately $30 per door to cover these essentials, though prices can fluctuate based on quality and finish selections. Factoring in these additional costs ensures there are no surprises as you move forward with your kitchen’s mini-makeover.
Factoring in Finishing and Hardware Costs When planning your budget for new cabinet doors, don’t forget to account for the finishing touches and necessary hardware. Each door will need to be painted or stained to match your kitchen’s style, and you’ll also need to invest in essential hardware like hinges and handles .
If you’re handling these updates yourself or hiring a pro, here’s what to consider: Paints, Stains, and Sealants: Depending on your finish of choice, allow for the cost of quality paints or stains. Brands like Benjamin Moore and Minwax provide a good range of options.
Hardware: Hinges, knobs, and pulls from popular options such as Liberty, Amerock, or IKEA typically add a bit more to the overall expense. On average, you should expect to spend about $30 per cabinet door for finishing and hardware combined.
This amount helps cover materials and ensures that each new door not only looks great but also operates smoothly. Is it possible to buy simply the doors for kitchen cabinets?
Many homeowners are concerned that they will be unable to find providers that just offer cabinet components for existing cabinets rather than full cabinets when updating their doors and drawer fronts. While not all providers sell cabinet components, it is feasible to identify those who sell doors and drawer fronts.
You will also be able to find a cabinet maker or installer who will install your new cabinet doors for you if you are not sure of your ability to do it yourself. What tools are required to replace kitchen cabinet doors yourself?
If you’re feeling handy and want to tackle the replacement of your kitchen cabinet doors on your own, you’ll want to have some essential tools ready before you get started.
Here’s a quick guide to what you’ll likely find useful: Screwdriver (preferably a multi-bit, such as a 5-in-1): This will help remove old hardware and install new hinges or handles with ease. Cordless drill: Perfect for quickly removing and attaching screws, and for mounting new hardware securely.
Measuring tape and pencil: Precision matters—measuring twice and marking clearly ensures your new doors sit perfectly. Level: To make sure those doors hang straight and avoid any wonky results. Safety gear: Don’t forget protective glasses and gloves—better safe than sorry. With these basics on hand, many homeowners find themselves up to the task.
And if you don’t already have these tools, investing in them is a smart move for future DIY projects, too. You may also like to read : Huge Moves: 10 Kitchen Organization Hacks to Free Up Space A tradie or cabinet maker may also match the new doors to a variety of wood kitchen benchtops.
Replacement cabinet doors are determined by the size of your current cabinets and cabinet doors, and it may be necessary to measure the doors and drawer fronts to guarantee a proper fit.
If you are unclear about how to begin, a tradesperson should be able to assist you with cost guides, and you will know what you expect to pay. Getting accurate measurements is the key to ensuring your new cabinet doors fit perfectly.
If you decide to take on this project yourself, here’s a simple step-by-step approach: Start by measuring the cabinet openings. Use a reliable tape measure to find the width and height of each cabinet opening you plan to cover. Always measure to the nearest 1/8 of an inch to ensure precision.
Record your measurements in a clear format. It helps to write down each measurement as “width x height” for easy reference later on. Consider the type of door installation.
For overlay doors (doors that sit on top of the cabinet frame), you’ll want to add the desired overlay amount to your measurements, usually 1/2 to 1 inch, depending on your preference and the look you’re after.
For inset doors (doors that sit flush inside the cabinet opening), subtract a small allowance—typically about 1/8 inch—from both the width and height. This gap prevents the doors from rubbing against the cabinet frame when opening.
If you’re unsure about any step in the measuring process or want extra reassurance, you may want to consult a tradesperson or cabinet maker. Many are happy to give guidance, ensuring your new cabinet doors will be a perfect match before you order or install.
Is it less expensive to replace cabinet doors or to resurface them? Replacing cabinet doors is exactly what it sounds like: replacing old, broken doors with new ones. Resurfacing includes altering the “skin” of cabinet doors to improve their appearance.
If you are resurfacing your cabinets designed in their entirety, one essential step will be to replace the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Only resurfacing the cabinet doors entails changing the veneer and hinges and making the doors more appealing to visitors.
One of the biggest issues with resurfacing is that just a few competent firms provide cabinet resurfacing and even fewer offer door resurfacing. While it is feasible to do it yourself, there are techniques and tools that a non-professional will not have access to, and the end outcome will suffer as a result.
If you can locate a company that can fulfill your resurfacing demands, you will most likely discover that resurfacing is the most cost-effective alternative. In fact, selecting it over replacement will save you 50% of cost of kitchen renovation.
Practical next steps for How Much Does It Cost To Put New Doors On Kitchen Cabinets
- Share the property type, size, condition and access information before requesting a quote.
- Identify priority rooms, surfaces, stains, pets, furniture and any inspection or handover date.
- Separate cleaning from repairs, pest treatment, plumbing, electrical or restoration work.
- Confirm inclusions, exclusions and optional services before the appointment.
