Cabinet Refacing Sarasota FL | Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

When your kitchen cabinets need an update, you have two main options: refacing or full replacement. This guide will help you understand the differences and decide which approach is best for your Sarasota home.

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What is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes and replacing only the visible components: doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. A matching veneer is applied to exposed cabinet frames, giving your kitchen a completely new look without the cost and disruption of full replacement.

What is Cabinet Replacement?

Cabinet replacement means removing all existing cabinets and installing entirely new ones. This allows for complete layout changes but involves more extensive work including potential modifications to plumbing, electrical, and walls.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Refacing	Replacement
Cost	$8,000 - $20,000	$20,000 - $60,000+
Timeline	3-5 days	4-8 weeks
Disruption	Minimal	Significant
Layout Changes	Not possible	Fully customizable
Interior Quality	Keeps existing	All new
Permits Needed	Usually none	Often required

Choose Refacing If...

Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound

You're happy with your current kitchen layout

You want to minimize disruption and mess

You're working with a tighter budget

You need a quick turnaround

Your cabinets are less than 20 years old

Choose Replacement If...

Your cabinet boxes are damaged, warped, or deteriorating

You want to change your kitchen layout significantly

You need to modify plumbing or electrical locations

Your cabinets are very old with outdated construction

You have water damage affecting cabinet structure

You're doing a complete gut renovation anyway

When Refacing Won't Work

Be aware that refacing isn't suitable in every situation:

Cabinet boxes have water damage or structural issues

Particleboard cabinets that are delaminating

You want to add or remove cabinets significantly

Current cabinets have non-standard dimensions

The Bottom Line

For most Sarasota homeowners with cabinets in decent structural condition, refacing offers the best value. You get a dramatic transformation at roughly half the cost and a fraction of the time. However, if your cabinets are failing or you need major layout changes, replacement may be the better long-term investment.

The best way to know which option is right for you? Get a professional assessment. A reputable cabinet refacing company will honestly tell you if your cabinets are good candidates for refacing or if replacement would be more appropriate.

Wondering about costs? Check out our comprehensive Cabinet Refacing Cost Guide for Sarasota 2024.

Looking for style inspiration? Read our guide on the Best Cabinet Styles for Florida Coastal Homes.

Service Areas

We provide cabinet refacing services throughout Sarasota County. Visit our homepage for more information, or explore our local service areas: Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Palmer Ranch, and Bradenton.

Cabinet Refacing vs Replacement: Which Is Right for You?