Refinishing cabinets is almost always cheaper than replacing, but cheaper is not always the right call. Sometimes the cabinets are not worth saving, and sometimes the layout is the problem, not the finish. Here is an honest comparison so you can decide.
When refinishing wins
If the boxes and frames are solid and the layout works, refinishing is the clear choice. We degrease, degloss, prime, and spray the doors and frames for a finish that looks like new cabinets at a fraction of the cost. The prep is what makes it last.
When replacing wins
If the boxes are water-damaged, the doors are warped, or the layout does not work for how you use the kitchen, refinishing is money on a kitchen you will still want to replace. In that case, the refinish delays the real fix. We will tell you when that is the case.
| Factor | Refinish | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fraction of replacement | Full new cabinet cost |
| Timeline | Days, with cure time | Weeks, with demolition and install |
| Durability | Depends on prep and cure | New materials, new warranty |
| Layout change | Not possible | Possible |
| Best for | Solid boxes, good layout | Damaged boxes or bad layout |
The prep decides durability
A refinished cabinet with proper prep and cure time holds up for years. A rushed refinish chips in months. The difference is not the paint, it is the prep.
The honest answer
We refinish more cabinets than we replace, because most cabinets are in better shape than the homeowner thinks. But we will tell you when replacing is the better call, because a refinish on a kitchen that needs a gut is not a favour to you.
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