How Long Does Cabinet Refacing Take? The Project Step by Step

Before you commit to cabinet refacing, you probably want to know how long it will take and how long your kitchen will be out of action. The honest answer is that it depends on your kitchen. What we can do is walk you through each phase of the project, so you know what happens when and what affects the timing. So, how long does cabinet refacing take? Here is the project step by step.

What cabinet refacing involves

Cabinet refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes and replaces the doors and drawer fronts with brand-new ones. The frames are finished to match, so the whole kitchen looks consistent. New doors come with a written 5-year warranty.

Because the boxes, countertops and layout stay in place, refacing skips the demolition stage of a full renovation. That is a big reason it is usually far less disruptive than replacing cabinets.

The refacing project, phase by phase

Phase 1: Free in-home quote

The project starts with a visit to your home. An estimator looks at your cabinets, checks whether the boxes are in good enough shape to keep and talks through what you want from the project. You get clear, line-item pricing, so you can see what each part of the work involves. Our how it works page lays out the process from first visit to finished kitchen.

Phase 2: Choosing door style and colour

Design decisions take as long as you need. Some homeowners know exactly what they want, while others prefer to compare samples in their own kitchen light. Before the new doors are made, you will want to settle:

• The door style, such as a simple Shaker or a flat slab front
• The colour and sheen
• Any organizers you want added inside the cabinets
• Any carpentry changes to the cabinets themselves

Making these choices early is one of the best ways to keep your project on schedule, since changes after the doors are ordered can cause delays.

Phase 3: Making the new doors and drawer fronts

Once your choices are final, the new doors and drawer fronts are made for your cabinets. This part of the project happens away from your home, so your kitchen works as usual in the meantime.

How long this phase takes depends on the door style, the number of doors and drawers, and the schedule at the time you book. Our schedulers will confirm dates with you.

Phase 4: Getting the kitchen ready

A little preparation before the crew arrives makes the work go more smoothly:

• Empty the cabinets and drawers that are being refaced.
• Clear the countertops so the frames are easy to reach.
• Set up a simple station elsewhere for coffee, snacks and easy meals.

Phase 5: Work in your home

This is when the kitchen changes. The old doors and drawer fronts come off, the frames are finished to match the new doors, and the new doors and drawer fronts are installed and adjusted so they line up and close properly.

If you are adding custom carpentry or cabinet modifications, such as an island, ceiling-height cabinets or converting doors to drawers, plan for that work as well. The carpentry portion usually takes a day or two. Custom organizers and space savers can be added as part of the same project.

Our crews are in-house employees, not subcontractors, so the installers, carpenters and finishers working in your kitchen are all part of one team.

Phase 6: Final walk-through

At the end, check the work with the crew: doors aligned, drawers running smoothly and a consistent finish. Small adjustments are easiest to make while the team is still on site. If something needs attention later on, our service team is there to help.

What affects how long refacing takes

Every kitchen is different, and these are the factors that move the timeline most:

• Kitchen size: more doors and drawers mean more to make and install.
• Door style: more detailed door styles can take longer to produce than simple ones.
• Add-ons: organizers and carpentry changes add to the scope of the work.
• Decision timing: changes after the doors are ordered can push the schedule back.
• Other trades: new countertops or plumbing need to be coordinated. Countertops can be coordinated through FloForm, and any plumbing needs a licensed plumber, since we do not do plumbing.

Plan your refacing project

Since 2009, our family-owned team has transformed about 7,000 kitchens across the Lower Mainland. If you would like to spread out the cost, kitchen makeover financing through Financeit is available for eligible projects, subject to approval.

When you book a free in-home quote, we will look at your cabinets, talk through door styles and timing, and give you clear, line-item pricing for your kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

How long does cabinet refacing take?

It depends on the size of your kitchen, the door style you choose and any add-ons such as organizers or carpentry. Your estimator can talk through timing at your free in-home quote, and our schedulers confirm the dates.

Can I use my kitchen during a refacing project?

While the new doors and drawer fronts are being made, your kitchen works as normal. During the work in your home, expect limited use of the cabinets being refaced, and set up a simple station elsewhere for easy meals.

Is refacing faster than refinishing?

They work differently. Refinishing keeps your existing doors and takes about four days of work in your home, with a 7 to 10 day gap while the doors are in our shop. Refacing needs new doors made first, so ask about timing for both options at your quote.