Refacing or replacing your kitchen cabinets
Cabinets take up more of a kitchen's visual space and budget than almost anything else, so the refacing-or-replacing decision shapes the whole project. Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes and installs new doors, drawer fronts and matching veneer over them. Replacement removes the boxes and installs new cabinetry, which opens the door to a different layout, different sizes and a different storage plan.
Kitchen Kings offers both, and the right answer depends on what is behind the doors. That is why every cabinet project starts with an on-site evaluation of the existing boxes and their condition rather than a catalog conversation.
When cabinet refacing in Ashburn makes sense
- The cabinet boxes are square, solid and free of water damage
- The layout already works: the sink, range and refrigerator are where you want them
- Your main complaint is appearance, not storage or workflow
- You want to keep the existing countertops, or replace them without moving cabinets
When replacement is the better call
- Boxes are damaged, sagging, or have been affected by leaks under the sink
- The layout is changing, for example a new island, a relocated range or a wall coming out
- You need different storage: deep drawers instead of base doors, tall pantry cabinets, or appliance garages
- The existing cabinet sizes do not fit the appliances you plan to buy
In a younger house, the boxes are often still structurally sound, which makes refacing a realistic option worth pricing; the evaluation confirms it either way. But a common frustration in builder-grade kitchens is storage, not looks: too many base cabinets with a single shelf, a corner that swallows pots, no place for small appliances. Refacing does not change that. If storage is the real problem, a mix can work well: keep and reface the runs that function, and replace the sections that do not.
What's included
- On-site evaluation of your existing cabinet boxes and their condition
- Refacing: new doors, drawer fronts and matching veneer over existing boxes
- Full replacement when boxes are damaged or the layout is changing
- Hardware, hinges and soft-close upgrades
- Color and finish selection
If you need cabinets built to exact dimensions, for an awkward corner or a specific storage need, see our custom cabinetry page. Custom work is often paired with replacement when stock sizes leave gaps.
What about cabinet painting?
Many Ashburn homeowners also search for cabinet painting. Kitchen Kings' published service catalog covers refacing and replacement, not cabinet painting as a standalone service. We wrote a guide comparing painting, refacing and replacement so you can see where each fits and what questions to ask, whoever you hire.
Cost
The approved Kitchen Kings reference range for cabinet refacing or replacement work in Northern Virginia is below. Where your project lands depends on how many cabinets, refacing versus new boxes, and the door style and finish you choose.
| Tier | Typical Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement | We help you decide what's worth replacing and what's worth refacing. | $8,000–$25,000 |
Typical Northern Virginia reference ranges from Kitchen Kings' published cost guide. They are a starting point, not a quote; your written estimate is based on your own kitchen.
Is cabinet refacing cheaper than replacing cabinets?▸
When the existing boxes are sound and the layout stays, refacing costs less than full replacement because the boxes are reused. If the boxes are damaged or the layout is changing, replacement usually makes more sense.
Can you reface some cabinets and replace others?▸
Yes. Cabinetry can be new, refaced, or a mix depending on what each part of the kitchen needs. A mix is common when one wall works well and another needs different storage.
Can I keep my countertops if I reface?▸
Often, yes, since refacing leaves the boxes in place. We check the countertop condition and how the new doors and drawer fronts meet the counter edge during the evaluation.
Do you paint kitchen cabinets in Ashburn?▸
Cabinet painting is not a listed Kitchen Kings service. We offer refacing and replacement, and our cabinet painting vs. refacing vs. replacement guide explains the trade-offs.