Cabinet refacing is the right answer for thousands of Wichita kitchens built between 1985 and 2010 - homes where the cabinet boxes are still solidly built but the visible doors, drawer fronts, and finishes have aged out. You keep the structure, change the visible 90%, and end up with what looks like a new kitchen at roughly 40-50% the cost of full replacement. According to the EPA, refacing also keeps about 75% less material out of landfills than tear-out and replacement.
The catch: not every kitchen is a candidate. Boxes need to be square, structurally sound, and free of water damage. We inspect every kitchen before we quote - and if your cabinets aren't appropriate for refacing, we'll tell you straight and quote replacement instead.
What's Included in a Refacing Project
- New doors - your choice of style (shaker, slab, raised panel) and material (wood, painted MDF, thermofoil)
- New drawer fronts - matched to door style and finish
- New exterior veneer or paint - on visible cabinet sides, end panels, and face frames
- New soft-close hinges - Blum or equivalent
- New soft-close drawer slides - full-extension
- New pulls and knobs - your selection
- New crown moulding and light rail - re-installed and caulked
- Toe-kick replacement - typically painted or veneered to match
- Cabinet box interior repaint - optional add-on for an extra $800–$1,400
- Hardware boring and template fitting - every existing hinge hole filled and re-bored as needed
- Final adjustment pass - every door aligned, every gap inspected
When Refacing Is the Right Call
- Cabinet boxes are 1985–2010 vintage, plywood or quality particleboard, square and structurally sound
- You like your current layout - counter heights, cabinet sizes, sink position all work
- Doors and drawer fronts are dated, scratched, or stylistically wrong (oak raised panel, laminate doors with peeling edges, dated stain colors)
- Budget is $8,000–$18,000 instead of $25,000+
- You want minimal disruption - refacing keeps the sink usable most days
- Resale is 5+ years out and you want the visual upgrade now
When Refacing Is the Wrong Call
- Boxes are sagging, water-damaged, or particleboard that's swollen at the toe-kick
- You want a different layout (refacing keeps the existing footprint)
- Counters and appliances also need replacement - at that point full replacement starts to make economic sense
- Cabinets are stock 32"-tall uppers and you want 36" or 42"
Refacing vs. Replacement Compared
| Factor | Refacing | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 10x10 cost | $8,000–$18,000 | $18,000–$45,000 |
| Time on site | 4–7 days | 2–4 weeks |
| Sink usability | Usable most days | Out 1–3 weeks |
| Layout change possible? | No | Yes |
| New cabinet sizes possible? | No | Yes |
| Landfill waste | ~25% of replacement | Full tear-out |
| Final look | New doors on existing footprint | Fully new |
Our Process
- Free in-home inspection - we open every box, check structure, water test under sinks, photograph for the design file.
- Design & sample selection - door style, finish, and hardware decisions made with physical samples in your kitchen lighting.
- Door fabrication (3–5 weeks) - your doors and drawer fronts are built to spec; veneer ordered to match.
- Install day 1 - old doors and hardware removed, hinge plates fitted, face frames sanded and prepped.
- Install days 2–3 - new veneer applied to visible surfaces, paint or stain finished on site if specified.
- Install days 4–6 - new doors hung, drawer slides set, pulls drilled, drawers fitted.
- Day 7 punch list - every door aligned, every reveal even, hardware polished.
Financing Available
Pre-qualify for 0% APR promotional financing. Refacing fits comfortably in 18-month promotional periods for most clients.
Local Wichita Context
Many Wichita homes from the late 1980s through the early 2000s came with builder-grade oak or maple cabinets - solid plywood boxes that were built to last 50+ years, paired with dated raised-panel doors that look 25 years old. These are textbook refacing candidates. We see them in nearly every neighborhood from Eastborough to Riverside to Maize. Wichita's seasonal humidity swings (15-65% indoor RH across the year) mean we always acclimate new doors in your home for 5+ days before final hang to prevent expansion gaps in winter.
Why Choose Us
Less Landfill Waste
EPA data: refacing diverts roughly 75% of the cabinet weight from landfill compared to tear-out. The cost saving is the headline; the environmental impact is the bonus.
We'll Tell You No
If your boxes aren't refacing candidates, we say so. Forcing refacing onto compromised cabinets means warranty calls in 2 years. We'd rather quote replacement than refund a refacing job.
On Site, Then Out
Most projects are done in under a week. You keep your sink most days, your appliances stay where they are, and your house isn't a construction zone for a month.
FAQ
How much does cabinet refacing cost in Wichita?
Typically $8,000-$18,000 for a 10x10 kitchen depending on door style and material. Roughly 40-50% of the cost of full replacement.
How long does cabinet refacing take?
Most refacing projects finish in 4-7 days on site. Lead time from contract to install is typically 3-5 weeks for door fabrication.
Can any cabinets be refaced?
Cabinets need square, structurally sound boxes. We inspect every kitchen before quoting. If boxes are sagging, water damaged, or out of square more than 1/4", refacing isn't appropriate.
What's included in refacing?
New doors, new drawer fronts, new exterior veneer or paint on visible sides and face frames, new soft-close hinges and drawer slides, new pulls and knobs.
Related Services
- Custom Cabinets - when boxes need replacing
- Counter Replacement - pair with refacing for a complete refresh
- Full Kitchen Remodel - if scope grows past refacing
- Cabinet Design - design-only consultation