Cabinets account for the largest single line item in most kitchen remodels — typically 30-40% of the total project cost. In Tampa, cabinet refacing costs $4,000-$10,000 while full cabinet replacement runs $8,000-$25,000+ (per NG Home Builders, DCR Tampa, Estimate Florida Consulting, 2026). The right choice depends on the condition of your existing cabinets, whether you want to change the layout, and your budget.
This guide breaks down what each option includes, what it costs, how long it takes, and when each approach makes sense for Tampa homeowners.
Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes (the structural frames attached to the wall) and replaces the visible surfaces. Here is what a standard refacing project includes:
What refacing does NOT include: - New cabinet boxes - Layout changes (moving cabinets to different locations) - Adding or removing cabinets - Changing cabinet depth or height - Interior features (pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, drawer organizers — though these can be added as upgrades)
Full replacement means removing all existing cabinets and installing new ones. This includes:
| Component | Refacing | Replacement (Stock/Semi-Custom) | Replacement (Custom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet boxes | Existing (kept) | $3,000-$10,000 | $10,000-$20,000+ |
| Doors and drawer fronts | $2,000-$5,000 | Included in box cost | Included in box cost |
| Veneer/skin | $500-$1,500 | N/A | N/A |
| Hardware | $200-$800 | $200-$800 | $400-$1,500 |
| Demolition | Minimal ($0-$300) | $500-$1,500 | $500-$1,500 |
| Installation labor | $1,000-$3,000 | $2,000-$5,000 | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Total | $4,000-$10,000 | $8,000-$25,000 | $15,000-$35,000+ |
Cost data per NG Home Builders, DCR Tampa, and Estimate Florida Consulting (2026). Tampa labor rates: $44-$60/hour for skilled trades (per Estimate Florida Consulting).
Refacing costs 40-60% less than full replacement with stock or semi-custom cabinets. The savings come from keeping the existing cabinet boxes (no demolition, no new boxes, less installation labor) and shorter project duration.
Full kitchen remodel cost breakdown →
| Phase | Refacing | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Material ordering | 1-2 weeks (doors manufactured to size) | 2-6 weeks (stock: 2 weeks, semi-custom: 3-4 weeks, custom: 4-6 weeks) |
| Demolition | 0-1 day (hardware and old doors removed) | 1-2 days (full cabinet tearout) |
| Installation | 3-5 days | 5-10 days |
| Total on-site work | 5-7 days | 2-4 weeks |
Refacing is significantly less disruptive. Your kitchen is out of commission for roughly 1 week versus 2-4 weeks for full replacement. During refacing, you may still be able to use the sink and some counter space while work progresses.
Refacing is the right choice when all of the following are true:
Open all cabinet doors and inspect the boxes. Look for:
If the boxes are plywood construction, they are almost certainly in good condition after 15-25 years. If the boxes are particleboard (common in builder-grade cabinets from the 1980s and 1990s), they may have swelled or delaminated near the sink or dishwasher where moisture exposure is highest.
Refacing does not change where cabinets are located. If your kitchen has a functional layout — enough storage, good workflow between sink, stove, and refrigerator — refacing gives you a visual update without the cost and complexity of reconfiguration.
If the cabinet portion of your kitchen remodel needs to stay under $15,000, refacing delivers the most dramatic visual change per dollar. Combined with new countertops ($2,700-$5,000+ for a standard Tampa kitchen, per AGS Stone) and new hardware, refacing can make a 20-year-old kitchen look current for $8,000-$15,000 total.
For homeowners who need their kitchen functional quickly — families with young children, people working from home, anyone who cannot tolerate 3-4 weeks of construction — the 5-7 day refacing timeline is a significant advantage.
Full replacement is the better choice in these situations:
If you are adding an island, removing upper cabinets for open shelving, extending a run of base cabinets, or reconfiguring the kitchen footprint, you need new cabinets designed to the new layout. Refacing cannot accommodate layout changes.
Water damage around the sink, dishwasher, or ice maker; delaminated particleboard; broken face frames; or cabinets pulling away from the wall all indicate boxes that should be replaced. Refacing damaged boxes puts a new face on a failing structure.
Tampa-specific note on humidity: Florida's year-round humidity (averaging 74% in Tampa) accelerates deterioration of particleboard and MDF cabinet boxes. If your existing cabinets are particleboard — common in homes built in the 1980s and 1990s — inspect carefully for swelling, especially near water sources. When replacing, specify plywood box construction over particleboard. Plywood resists moisture significantly better and lasts 2-3x longer in Tampa's humid climate.
Refacing can change the door style and color, but it cannot change the cabinet box dimensions. If you want to switch from standard 30-inch uppers to 42-inch uppers (a popular upgrade in Tampa kitchens with 9-foot ceilings), or from base cabinets to deep drawers, you need replacement cabinets.
If your kitchen remodel includes layout changes, wall removal, plumbing relocation, and new flooring, replacing the cabinets as part of the larger project makes more sense than refacing. The cabinets will be removed anyway during construction, and installing new cabinets designed to the new layout ensures everything fits precisely.
Most Tampa homes built from the 1960s through the 1990s use CBS (concrete block and stucco) construction. In CBS homes, most interior kitchen walls are non-load-bearing wood-framed partitions — the concrete block exterior shell carries the structural load. This means layout changes that involve moving or removing kitchen walls are often simpler than in wood-frame construction, which can make full cabinet replacement with a layout change more cost-effective relative to the total project.
Tampa's average annual humidity of 74% affects cabinet material longevity. When choosing replacement cabinets, prioritize:
A common Tampa kitchen refresh combines cabinet refacing ($4,000-$10,000) with new countertops. Quartz countertops start at $50/sq ft installed (per AGS Stone, Tampa). For a standard kitchen with 40-50 sq ft of countertop, that is $2,000-$3,500 for materials and installation. The combined refacing + countertop project runs $6,000-$14,000 — a complete visual transformation at roughly 25-50% of the cost of a mid-range kitchen remodel ($25,000-$60,000 per Estimate Florida Consulting, 2026).
How much does cabinet refacing cost in Tampa? Cabinet refacing costs $4,000-$10,000 in Tampa, depending on kitchen size, door style, and material choice. A standard 10x10 kitchen with 20-30 doors and drawer fronts falls in the $5,000-$8,000 range. This includes new doors, drawer fronts, veneer, and hardware (per NG Home Builders, DCR Tampa, 2026).
How much does full cabinet replacement cost in Tampa? Full cabinet replacement costs $8,000-$25,000 for stock or semi-custom cabinets and $15,000-$35,000+ for custom cabinets in Tampa. The cost includes demolition, new cabinet boxes, doors, hardware, and installation labor. Tampa labor rates for cabinet installation run $44-$60/hour (per Estimate Florida Consulting, 2026).
How long does cabinet refacing take? On-site refacing work takes 5-7 days for a standard kitchen. Material ordering adds 1-2 weeks before installation begins. Total timeline from order to completion: 2-3 weeks. Your kitchen is minimally disrupted during refacing — you may retain access to the sink and some counter space while work progresses.
Can I change my kitchen layout with cabinet refacing? No. Refacing keeps the existing cabinet boxes in their current locations. If you want to add an island, move cabinets, extend a run, or change the kitchen footprint, you need full cabinet replacement with new cabinets designed for the new layout.
Should I choose plywood or particleboard cabinets in Tampa? Plywood. Tampa's 74% average humidity accelerates particleboard deterioration — swelling, delamination, and mold growth near moisture sources (sink, dishwasher). Plywood boxes cost 15-25% more but resist moisture significantly better and last 2-3 times longer in Florida's climate.
Is cabinet refacing worth it? Yes, if your cabinet boxes are structurally sound, you like your current layout, and you want to save 40-60% compared to full replacement. Refacing with new countertops ($6,000-$14,000 combined) delivers a visual transformation at 25-50% of a mid-range kitchen remodel cost ($25,000-$60,000). It is not worth it if boxes are damaged, you want layout changes, or you are doing a full gut renovation.
We inspect your existing cabinets, assess box condition, and recommend refacing or replacement based on your goals and budget. Call (813) 999-5910 or request a free estimate.
Tell us about your home and what you're planning. We'll follow up to arrange an on-site consultation.
Start a Project →