Budget Materials: Cutting the Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing

Cabinet refacing is a great solution for cutting the cost of your home remodeling project, and if you do your research, there is plenty of money to be saved. One big way to save money is by getting good deals on your materials, as they constitute the lion's share of the average cost of cabinet refacing.

Wood veneers are the most expensive option, and can cost up to 25 percent more than synthetic substitutes. They'll give you the classiest look, but genuine wood veneers can increase the average cost of cabinet refacing by several thousand dollars, which can drive the final price tag as high as $10,000.

Cheaper alternatives like plastic or rigid thermofoil, known as RTF, can keep your costs low. Each has its advantages.

RTF is a very malleable material, which makes it easy to work with, making it well suited for complicated surface features. It is also far stronger than plastic. Plastic laminates, on the other hand, cost more than RTF, but are better for achieving the look of real wood. They are also available in a wider range of color choices.

Choosing the less expensive materials can bring the average cost of cabinet refacing materials down to under $1,000, depending on what needs to be done. With smart shopping and a targeted remodeling project, the entire cost of the job may fall in between $1,000-$3,000. So you don't have to break the bank to re-do your kitchen. If you can get by with a cabinet refacing instead of a total replacement, your budget can stay surprisingly low, leaving you enough money left over to stock those newly refaced cabinets.