Cabinet Refacing
Cabinet Refacing in Bethesda: A New Look for Half the Cost
Cabinet refacing in Bethesda, MD replaces your cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware and covers the existing boxes in matching veneer, for roughly half the cost of new cabinets. Full refacing runs about $5,000–$13,000 locally, against $18,000–$45,000+ for new custom cabinets. It's the kitchen cabinet refacing option when the layout works and only the look is tired.
Key Facts
| Key fact | Refacing |
|---|---|
| Cost | $5,000–$13,000 |
| Time on site | Days, not weeks |
| Permit | None for cabinets in place (DPS no-permit list) |
| Kitchen usable? | Mostly yes |
How we work
What Cabinet Refacing Includes, Including Your Island
A refacing job covers six things:
- New doors and drawer fronts
- Veneer over the face frames and exposed sides
- New hinges, often soft-close
- New pulls
- Matching island panels, so kitchen island refacing matches the rest of the room
- Optional extras: crown, light rail, under-cabinet lighting, a few new cabinets
It doesn't change the layout, the cabinet boxes, or your counters unless you add them.
How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost?
Nationally, cabinet refacing averages about $7,230. Most jobs run $4,234–$10,226, or $150–$450 per linear foot (HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026). Bethesda-area jobs run about $5,000–$13,000.
| Door material | Cost per sq ft (HomeAdvisor) |
|---|---|
| Rigid thermofoil | $80–$125 |
| Wood veneer | $100–$250 |
| Solid wood | $200–$500 |
Tight galleys, lifting counters and extras add cost.
Is It Cheaper to Reface or Replace Kitchen Cabinets?
Refacing is cheaper, usually about half the cost of new custom cabinets, when the boxes are sound and the layout works. Replacing wins when the boxes are damaged or the layout has to change.
What Is the Downside of Cabinet Refacing?
Refacing keeps your current layout and cabinet boxes, so it can't fix a bad layout, worn interiors or damaged boxes. Corners and fillers have limits, and counters may need to be lifted.
Is Your Kitchen a Good Candidate for Refacing?
Yes, if the boxes are solid wood or plywood, dry and square, and you like the layout. Five checks:
- Box material: solid wood or plywood, not crumbling particleboard
- Water damage under the sink or dishwasher
- Drawer boxes that still slide and hold weight
- Layout you're happy with
- Counters you'll keep, or replace in the same footprint
Refacing Colors and Finishes for 2026
Wood finishes overtook white in 2026: 29% of renovating homeowners chose wood cabinets and 28% white (Houzz 2026 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study, via NAR, Feb 2026). In refacing terms, that means wood veneer is now as in-demand as painted doors.
Refacing, Refinishing or Painting: What's the Difference?
Painting and refinishing keep your doors and change their finish; refacing replaces the doors and covers the frames.
| Method | What changes | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Painting | Color of existing doors | Doors in good shape, style is fine |
| Refinishing | Stain or finish of existing doors | Solid wood doors you like |
| Refacing | New doors, veneered frames, new hinges | Sound boxes, tired or dated style |
Coverage
Cabinet Refacing Near Bethesda
We reface cabinets in Rockville, Chevy Chase, Potomac and Kensington too.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if they're in good shape and the new doors fit the same footprint.
Yes. We can add matching cabinets or an island panel.
Not if nothing else changes. Cabinets installed in place are on the DPS no-permit list.
Keep exploring
Related Kitchen Remodeling Services
Other services
Helpful guides
Next step
Get a Cabinet Refacing Quote in Bethesda
Cabinet refacing in Bethesda, MD gives you new doors, veneer and hardware for about half the cost of new cabinets. Send us photos or book a visit and we'll give you a written quote.