If your cabinet boxes are solid and you like your layout, refinishing gives you the biggest change for the money: from $5,000, 5 to 7 working days on site, and your countertops can stay. Replacing cabinets means a kitchen remodel: from $28,000, 3 to 10 weeks on site, with new countertops always included. If the boxes are damaged or the layout doesn’t work, replacement is the better spend.
A lot of homeowners call us thinking they need new cabinets when what they really want is a new look. Sometimes new cabinets are the right call. Sometimes they aren’t. Here’s how to tell the difference before you spend money you didn’t need to.
What refinishing includes with us
- Every door and drawer front is removed, labeled and sprayed off-site in our shop for a smooth, factory-style finish.
- The cabinet boxes and face frames are cleaned, degreased, sanded, primed and sprayed on site under full containment so the rest of the house stays clean.
- Doors go back on, get adjusted, and new hardware goes on if you’ve chosen it.
On-site work takes 5 to 7 working days. Countertops, sink, appliances and floors stay put, so your kitchen is out of commission for days, not weeks.
Why replacing cabinets is almost never just cabinets
When the old cabinets come out, a chain of other work usually follows:
- Countertops. Stone almost never survives removal intact, and it won’t fit a new layout.
- Backsplash. Tile comes off with the counters.
- Flooring at the edges. If the floor stopped at the old cabinets, there may be a gap or unfinished slab where the footprint changes.
- Drywall, plumbing and electrical. Patching behind old cabinets, and moving lines if the sink, range or outlets move.
- Permits when plumbing or electrical work is part of the scope.
That’s why we price cabinet replacement as a kitchen remodel. Our small-kitchen range ($28,000–$36,000) includes new cabinets, base-level quartz, backsplash and lighting in the existing layout; full kitchens ($36,000–$50,000) add flooring. Appliances, light fixtures and faucets are your selections. See what a kitchen remodel costs for the detail.
Side by side
| Refinishing | Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Bayshore price | From $5,000; medium $8,000–$10,000; large $11,000–$15,000 | Kitchen remodel from $28,000 |
| On-site time | 5 to 7 working days | 3 to 6 weeks, longer for custom |
| Door style | Stays the same; new color | Anything you choose |
| Layout and storage | Stays the same | Can change |
| Countertops | Stay | Replaced |
Refinish if…
- The boxes are solid wood or good-quality plywood and dry.
- You like where everything is.
- The countertops are staying and you like them.
- You want a big visual change on a modest budget, or you’re preparing to sell.
Replace if…
- Boxes are swollen, delaminating or warped, especially around the sink and dishwasher.
- Doors are thermofoil that’s peeling, or a material that won’t take a durable finish.
- You want a different layout, more storage, taller uppers or an island.
- Countertops, appliances or flooring are being replaced anyway.
The middle option
If the boxes and layout are fine but you want a new door style, cabinet refacing puts new doors and drawer fronts on your existing boxes. It starts at $7,000. Our guide to refinish, reface or remodel compares all three.
Frequently asked questions
How long does refinished cabinetry last?
A properly prepped and sprayed finish holds up for years with normal care. See how long cabinet refinishing lasts for what affects it.
Can you refinish oak cabinets?
Yes. Oak has an open grain that shows through paint unless it’s filled first, so if you want a smooth look, ask for grain filling in writing. It adds prep time and cost.
Is it worth refinishing before selling?
Often, because it changes the look of the kitchen without a remodel budget. Whether it pays back depends on your market, so treat it as a way to make the kitchen show better, not a guaranteed return.
We refinish and remodel kitchens across Pinellas, including Largo, Clearwater, Belleair, Seminole and Indian Rocks Beach. Book a free consultation and we’ll look at your cabinets and tell you which option they can support, or call 813-489-1552.
