cabinet refacing vs painting cost

Cabinet Refacing vs Painting Cost: What Homeowners Should Know

May 29, 2025

Choosing between cabinet refacing and cabinet painting? The right option depends on your goals, your budget, and the condition of your cabinets.

In this guide, we break down the cabinet refacing vs painting cost to help you make the smartest decision for your home.

What Is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing means giving your cabinets a new look without changing their layout. Instead of replacing the whole cabinet box, professionals remove the old doors and drawer fronts. 

Then, they apply a fresh layer of veneer or laminate to the frames and install new doors, drawers, and hardware. The result feels like a full remodel.

When comparing cabinet refacing vs painting cost, refacing tends to be the more expensive option. This is because new materials and custom parts are added, and it often requires special tools and more labor. Still, it can be a great choice if your cabinet boxes are solid and you want a big design change.

At Green Summit Contracting, we’ve seen many Metro Atlanta homes get a beautiful upgrade through refacing. But we also know it’s not always the best route. In many cases, painting gives similar results at a lower cost. 

We’ll explain more in the next section as we explore the full picture of cabinet refacing vs painting cost.

What Is Cabinet Painting?

Cabinet painting is one of the fastest, most affordable ways to refresh a kitchen or bathroom. Instead of changing the doors or structure, we clean and sand the cabinets, apply primer, and finish with high-quality paint. This option lets you keep your layout but still update the color and look of the space.

When looking at cabinet refacing vs painting cost, painting is often the winner in terms of savings. It uses fewer materials and takes less time, which helps lower the total price. With the right prep work and paint, the results are smooth, durable, and made to last.

Many Atlanta-area homeowners choose Green Summit Contracting for cabinet painting because we take our time to do it right. From detailed prep to flawless finishing, we treat your home like it’s our own. 

If you like your cabinet layout and just want a new color or style, painting might be the smarter, more budget-friendly move. We’ll compare both options in the next section to help you decide.

Comparing Costs: Cabinet Refacing vs Painting

When it comes to cabinet refacing vs painting cost, the price difference can be pretty significant. Refacing typically ranges from $4,000 to $15,000 for an average kitchen. 

That’s because it includes new doors, drawer fronts, veneer, and often new hardware. Labor costs are higher too, since it takes more time and precision.

In contrast, cabinet painting usually costs between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on cabinet size, condition, and chosen finish. It’s much less invasive, doesn’t require custom parts, and materials like paint and primer are more affordable.

That said, cost isn’t just about the total number. It’s also about value. Painting gives you a refreshed look quickly and affordably, while refacing can deliver a bigger transformation without the full price of new cabinets.

At Green Summit Contracting, we walk you through both options clearly, based on your home and goals. Cabinet refacing vs painting cost isn’t one-size-fits-all, but our team helps you find the best fit with honest estimates and no pressure.

Pros and Cons of Each Option

Understanding the pros and cons of each option helps make sense of the cabinet refacing vs painting cost. 

Refacing offers a dramatic upgrade with new doors and hardware, giving your kitchen or bathroom a custom feel. It works great if your cabinets are in good shape, but the style feels outdated.

The downside? Refacing costs more and doesn’t fix internal damage or layout issues. It’s also less flexible if you’re working with a tight budget.

Painting, on the other hand, is fast and affordable. It allows a fresh, clean look using your current structure. You can go bold with color or keep it classic with soft whites or grays. 

The main challenge is making sure the prep is done right to avoid chipping or peeling.

That’s why homeowners across Metro Atlanta trust Green Summit Contracting for cabinet painting. We combine care, detail, and quality materials to deliver long-lasting results. 

Whether you’re after a full transformation or just a new finish, cabinet refacing vs painting cost depends on what matters most to you.

How to Decide What’s Best for Your Home

Not sure how to choose between the two? Start by thinking about what you want. If your cabinet layout works and your budget is tight, painting is often the better choice. It’s fast, effective, and makes a big impact without breaking the bank.

But if your cabinets are worn down or you’re dreaming of a full style change, refacing might make more sense. Especially if you want to add new doors, hardware, or a totally different look.

Another key factor in the cabinet refacing vs painting cost debate is how long you plan to stay in your home. If you’re preparing to sell, a high-end refacing job might help with resale value. If you’re planning to stay put and enjoy the upgrade, painting could be the quicker win.

Green Summit Contracting helps you decide with a free quote and expert input. We make the cabinet refacing vs painting cost clear so you can move forward with confidence and no surprises.

Why Metro Atlanta Homeowners Choose Green Summit

At Green Summit Contracting, we know how important it is to feel good about the people working in your home. That’s why so many local families trust us when deciding between cabinet refacing vs painting cost. We offer honest advice, transparent pricing, and results that last.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we listen to your needs, inspect your current cabinets, and recommend the best path. Whether it’s a full cabinet painting job, a refacing upgrade, or even an exterior painting job. Every project gets our full attention, from the first consultation to the final walk-through.

What sets us apart? We’re local, we care, and we show up. Our small, skilled team is built on integrity and craftsmanship. Whether your goal is to modernize your kitchen or boost your home’s value, we’ll help you get there.

And if you’re still unsure about the cabinet refacing vs painting cost for your project, we’re happy to walk you through each option in plain terms.

Which Option Fits You Best?

Choosing between cabinet refacing and painting doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re weighing the cabinet refacing vs painting cost, we’re here to help you find the best fit for your home, your goals, and your budget.

Book a free consultation today to start your home remodeling project.


Author Photo - Mitchell Navarro
Mitchell Navarro
Mitchell Navarro is the Founder and Owner of Green Summit Contracting. He began his remodeling career in North Carolina. After years of being a Consultant, Project Manager, and Sales Manager for a local contracting company and a top 10 Home Remodeling company in the Nation, Mitchell decided to create Green Summit Contracting to fill the voids he saw firsthand in the industry. When not working, Mitchell trains BJJ, reads books, and takes his two dogs hiking.
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