Resurfacing metal cabinets can give a kitchen or bathroom a brand new look for a fraction of the cost of full replacement. While resurfacing won’t work on all cabinets, it can be an affordable way to update the style and color of cabinets that are structurally sound but showing their age. The cost to resurface metal cabinets depends on several factors, including the size of the project, location, choice of materials and more. With some planning and research, resurfacing metal cabinets can be a budget-friendly kitchen or bath remodel option.
Average Cost to Resurface Metal Cabinets
The average cost to resurface metal cabinets ranges from $1,500 to $4,500, with most homeowners paying around $3,000 on average. Here is a breakdown of the typical costs:
- Cabinet resurfacing material: $800 to $1,600
- Cabinet preparation: $200 to $600
- Labor: $500 to $2,300
Keep in mind that costs can be higher or lower depending on your specific project scope, choice of materials, contractor rates in your area and other factors. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes to compare prices.
What Impacts the Cost?
Several things influence the overall investment needed to resurface metal cabinets:
- Cabinet size/number – More and larger cabinets mean higher material and labor costs.
- Choice of material – Specialty finishes like glass can raise costs over standard laminates.
- Accessibility – Hard to reach areas drive up preparation and installation work.
- Location – Contractor rates vary regionally, with higher prices in metro areas.
- Add-ons – Extra services like lighting or reconfiguration add to the bottom line.
Getting quotes tailored to your actual cabinets and desired new look is the best way to estimate your resurfacing costs accurately.
Process for Resurfacing Metal Cabinets
Resurfacing metal kitchen or bathroom cabinets follows a similar process as refacing, starting with cabinet preparation before the new material is applied:
Cabinet Preparation
The first step is making sure existing cabinet boxes are suitable for resurfacing. Your contractor will:
- Remove doors, drawers and hardware
- Repair/replace any damaged parts of cabinet frames
- Sand surfaces thoroughly to improve adhesion
- Clean boxes to remove grease, dirt and debris
Proper prep work is crucial to getting the new surface materials to bond tightly and evenly to the underlying cabinet boxes. Any flaws in the original cabinets will likely still be visible after resurfacing if not addressed at this stage.
Applying New Surfaces
Once prepped, the new surface material is cut to size and applied to the cabinet frames and doors:
- Thermofoil sheets are adhered using heat and pressure for a seamless finish.
- Veneers are glued on and requires extra sanding for smooth results.
- Laminates get bonded using contact cement for a layered look.
- Doors get matching material attached as well.
The material type impacts the exact application method, but most adhere tightly to the existing cabinetry for long-lasting results. Experienced installers are key to getting an even finish.
Finishing Touches
The final steps complete the refreshed new look:
- Doors, drawers and hardware get reattached.
- Adjustments are made so everything operates smoothly.
- New trim and/or molding gets added if needed.
- The countertop backsplash often gets resurfaced as well for a cohesive overall look.
Skilled contractors will make sure your newly resurfaced cabinets function just like new while you enjoy the updated style.
Factors That Affect Cost of Cabinet Resurfacing
Many things influence the total investment required to resurface kitchen or bathroom cabinets. Being aware of cost factors can help you budget realistically.
Cabinet Size and Number
The overall scope of your cabinet resurfacing project significantly impacts the bottom line. At a minimum, most contractors will charge around $800-$1,500 just for smaller projects like a single vanity or kitchen island. Costs steadily go up for more cabinets:
- Small bath with 1-2 vanities: $800-$1,500
- Modular kitchen (10 cabinets): $1,500-$2,500
- Full standard kitchen (15-20 cabinets): $2,500-$4,500
- Large luxury kitchen (25+ cabinets): $4,000-$6,000+
In general, you can estimate spending $100-$200 per standard cabinet opening for materials, prep and installation. Get an itemized quote based on your specific cabinets to budget accurately.
Choice of Resurfacing Materials
There are several material options when resurfacing cabinets, ranging widely in price:
- PVC thermofoils: $3-$8 per sq. ft.
- Veneers: $10-$30 per sq. ft.
- Laminates: $10-$20 per sq. ft.
- Glass: $50-$100+ per sq. ft.
PVC thermofoils are generally the most affordable, while real wood veneers, colored laminates and specialty finishes like glass tend to cost more. Exotic veneers and premium-grade laminates increase the price tag further.
Accessibility of Cabinets
How readily accessible your cabinets are also affects resurfacing costs. Tight corners, hard to reach wall cabinets and other tricky areas make material installation slower and more labor intensive. Most contractors charge 10-25% more for resurfacing less convenient cabinets.
Islands, peninsulas and other open cabinets tend to be the most budget-friendly to resurface. Bathrooms with more confined vanity spaces often cost more overall than larger kitchens.
Location and Contractor Rates
Another cost factor is regional variability in contractor labor rates. For the same project, you can expect to pay more in high-cost urban areas vs. rural regions with lower rates, sometimes by thousands.
Get quotes from several contractors in your local area to ensure you get a competitive price. Beware extra lowball quotes that may signal inexperience – quality cabinet resurfacing requires skilled installers.
Additional Services
Depending on your goals, extras like the following may get added to your cabinet resurfacing costs:
- Under cabinet lighting: $75-$200 per cabinet
- Glass cabinet inserts: $500-$1,500 per cabinet
- Cabinet reconfiguration: $350+ per adjustment
- Sink or countertop resurfacing: From $350-$750+
Any modifications, upgrades or expansions you want done during the process mean paying more overall. Be sure to factor in extras you’re interested in upfront before setting your budget.
DIY vs Professional Cabinet Resurfacing
Is DIY resurfacing an option? While experienced DIYers can sometimes tackle minor cabinet updates themselves, professional help is usually recommended for kitchens or multiple bathrooms.
Benefits of DIY Cabinet Resurfacing:
- Potentially lower cost than hiring a contractor
- Opportunity to customize your own finish
- Satisfaction of completing your own project
Drawbacks of DIY Cabinet Resurfacing:
- Requires advanced DIY skills and experience
- Achieving an even, seamless finish is tricky
- Mistakes can lead to expensive rework or replacement
- Medical issues like lung irritation from sanding must be handled safely
Unless you have prior finishing experience, professional resurfacing normally yields better results in far less time than a DIY attempt. The DIY route also requires being comfortable with all preparation, installation, drying times and safety gear needed.
That said, avid DIYers may enjoy taking on smaller cabinet resurfacing jobs like a single vanity themselves. This can be a good way to try out techniques on a contained scale before tackling a full kitchen.
Maintaining Resurfaced Cabinets
Resurfaced cabinets aren’t indestructible. While durable, the new finishes can be prone to damage from moisture, heat, heavy impacts and more. Follow these tips to help your refreshed cabinets look like new for years:
- Use cutting boards and hot pads to protect from knives, pots and pans.
- Immediately wipe up spills, splatters and water drops.
- Avoid slamming doors or hitting surfaces with heavy objects.
- Clean using soft cloths and mild cleaners only.
- Check for wear, chips or cracks annually and touch up as needed.
- Consider adding bumpers or knob covers to prevent scratches and dings.
With proper care and maintenance, quality cabinet resurfacing should last 5-10 years or more before needing redone. Being gentle day-to-day and addressing minor damage promptly keeps your kitchen or bath looking fabulous.
Resurfacing vs Refacing vs Replacing Metal Cabinets
There are three main options to consider when updating tired or dated metal kitchen or bathroom cabinets:
| Option | Process | Cost |
|-|-|-|
|Resurfacing|New material applied over existing boxes|$1,500-$4,500|
|Refacing|New veneer wood or laminate on cabinet frames and doors|$4,000-$8,000|
|Replacement|Remove old cabinets and install new|$8,000-$20,000|
Resurfacing is the most affordable since existing cabinets are kept in place. Refacing provides a brand new look while still using the underlying boxes. Full replacement is best for flawed cabinets but comes at a much higher price.
Beyond budget, factor in stuff like:
- How suitable your current cabinets are structurally
- How updated of a style you want
- Whether you need a new layout or accessories like pull-out shelves
- How disruptive of a process you’re willing to tolerate
Ideally, get quotes on resurfacing, refacing and replacement so you can compare your options. Keeping your existing cabinet footprint helps keeps costs lower.
Key Takeaways
- Expect to spend $1,500-$4,500 to resurface standard kitchen cabinets or 1-2 bathroom vanities.
- Actual costs vary based on total cabinet size, material choice, location and extra services provided.
- Careful preparation of existing cabinets is crucial for getting an even, smooth resurfaced finish.
- While DIY resurfacing is possible, hiring a professional typically yields better results.
- With proper maintenance and care, quality cabinet resurfacing can last upwards of 5-10 years before needing redone.
- Resurfacing provides cosmetic updates at a lower cost than refacing or full replacement of cabinets.
Resurfacing can make worn metal cabinets look fresh and new again while being less disruptive and pricey than a full remodel. With an experienced contractor handling the process professionally, it can be a budget-friendly way to upgrade your kitchen or bath. Get quotes tailored to your specific cabinets to find out if resurfacing is the right solution for your home and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to resurface cabinets?
The full process typically takes 2-5 days from start to finish. Actual time depends on the size of the job, materials used, accessibility and other factors. Smaller vanity resurfacing may only take 1-2 days, while a full kitchen can require a week or more.
Do resurfaced cabinets last?
With proper installation and care, resurfaced cabinets generally last 5-10 years before needing redone. Choosing durable materials like thermofoil and avoiding moisture/impact damage helps extend the lifespan. Proper maintenance is key.
Can you resurface over existing cabinets?
Yes, resurfacing is specifically designed to go over your existing cabinet boxes. As long as the underlying frames are in good shape structurally, they can be suitable for resurfacing. All doors, hardware, etc get removed first for the new material installation.
Do cabinets have to be removed to be resurfaced?
No, a big benefit of resurfacing is that existing cabinets can stay right in place. Refacing requires removing doors, drawers and hardware, but the boxes themselves aren’t taken out. This helps reduce installation time and disruption to your home.
Can you paint over resurfaced cabinets?
It’s generally not recommended. Resurfaced cabinets have special coatings designed for adhesion, durability and aesthetics. Painting over them can cause the paint finish to fail prematurely. For best results, stick to cleaning resurfaced cabinets instead of repainting.
Conclusion
Resurfacing metal cabinets is an affordable way to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom when replacement isn’t in the budget. By applying new materials like thermofoils or veneers over your existing cabinets, you can refresh the look for $1,500-$4,500 typically. Keys to success include proper cabinet prep, skilled installation, realistic cost expectations and ongoing care. With some research to find the right contractor, resurfacing your worn cabinets can give them years more life at a fraction of replacement cost.