Choose the right level of cabinet change
Painting, refinishing, new doors and refacing are not four names for the same job. Each keeps a different amount of the existing cabinetry and creates a different result. We inspect your kitchen and explain the tradeoffs before you decide.
What stays and what changes
| Option | Existing boxes | Existing doors | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet painting | Keep | Keep | You like the door style and mainly want a new color. |
| Refinishing & restoration | Keep | Usually keep | The finish is worn or dated but the cabinetry is worth preserving. |
| Door replacement | Keep | Replace | You want a new door profile without replacing the cabinet layout. |
| Cabinet refacing | Keep if sound | Replace | You want new fronts plus a coordinated exterior treatment. |
Cabinet painting: keep the style, change the color
Cabinet painting is the most direct route when the doors and drawer fronts are sound, the existing profile still fits the kitchen, and the main problem is color. The job should still include much more than applying paint. Cleaning, sanding, repairs, adhesion preparation, controlled application and curing determine whether the new finish looks smooth and performs well.
We remove doors and drawer fronts for shop spraying. The fixed cabinet boxes, face frames, finished sides and included trim are protected and finished in the home. Before work begins, the estimate records what receives finish, what is excluded and whether hardware changes are part of the project.
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Refinishing and restoration: address wear before the new finish
Refinishing is a better description when the existing surface needs restoration, repairs or a more involved preparation plan. It may include correcting failed caulk, sanding damaged areas, dealing with worn edges, reducing visible grain and creating a stable base for the selected coating.
Not every damaged cabinet is a good refinishing candidate. Water-swollen panels, failing substrates or badly damaged fronts may need replacement. We identify those issues during the inspection and explain whether a repair, new front or different scope gives the homeowner a better result.
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Replacement doors: change the visible style
New cabinet doors and drawer fronts can turn raised-panel, arched or dated fronts into a cleaner Shaker or slab design while suitable cabinet boxes stay in place. This is often called redooring. Measurements, overlay, hinge boring, panel clearances and drawer-front sizing must all be correct for the new fronts to align properly.
The cabinet boxes and visible frames still need a coordinated finish. We review hinge options, door style, panel thickness, edge detail, hardware and any trim changes as one package so the fronts do not look disconnected from the rest of the kitchen.
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Cabinet refacing: coordinate every visible exterior surface
Refacing keeps structurally suitable cabinet boxes but changes the exterior presentation more completely. New doors and drawer fronts are paired with a coordinated treatment of frames, exposed sides, end panels and trim. The exact method depends on the material, design and finish selected.
Refacing is not a substitute for correcting a poor layout or failing cabinet boxes. If the footprint is wrong, storage is inadequate or the boxes are not worth keeping, full replacement may be the honest recommendation. Our estimate makes that boundary clear.
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Details that should never be left vague
Components
Door, drawer, frame, finished side, island, trim and built-in counts are identified.
Selections
Color, sheen, door style, hardware, hinges and approved samples are recorded.
Schedule and terms
Shop work, in-home work, payment schedule, exclusions and warranty are written clearly.
Cabinet repair supports the finish—it should not be hidden underneath it
Loose hinges, damaged screw holes, rubbing doors, worn edges, failed caulk and minor trim damage should be corrected before the cabinet is painted or refinished. A smooth new coating cannot solve a mechanical problem underneath it.
We also identify conditions that should not simply be repaired and coated. Swollen panels, severe delamination, failing substrates or a bad cabinet layout can change the recommendation to a replacement front, panel or cabinet.