Cabinet Refinishing
Cabinet Refinishing vs. Replacement: What It Really Costs
· 6 min read
Refinishing typically runs a fraction of new cabinetry. Here's how to tell whether your boxes are worth keeping and what a professional finish involves.
A full cabinet replacement in a mid-size Dallas kitchen is usually a five-figure project once you include demo, cabinetry, countertops, and plumbing. Refinishing the cabinets you already have costs a fraction of that and takes days instead of weeks — as long as the boxes are sound.
When refinishing is the right call
- The boxes are solid plywood or well-built particleboard with no water damage or swelling.
- The doors and drawer fronts are straight, and the hinges and slides still operate.
- You like the layout — refinishing changes color and finish, not the footprint.
When to replace instead
Delaminating melamine, sagging shelves, water-swollen sink bases, or a layout you actively dislike are all signs your money is better spent on new cabinetry. A beautiful finish on a failing box is a short-term win.
What a proper refinish actually involves
The finish is only as good as the prep. We remove doors and hardware and label everything, degrease every surface (kitchen grease is the number one cause of adhesion failure), sand to a uniform profile, then apply a bonding primer followed by a sprayed cabinet-grade enamel. Sprayed finishes level out to a factory-smooth surface that a brush simply can't match.
Plan on the kitchen being partially out of service for several days, and give the finish a couple of weeks of gentle use before scrubbing anything.
Want a hand with your project?
H&S Painting and Refinishing serves Dallas and the surrounding North Texas communities. Estimates are free and there's no pressure.