Maybe you got a quote for a full kitchen remodel and the number was higher than you planned. If so, it's worth asking whether you need new cabinets at all. Plenty of kitchens have cabinet boxes with good shape. Only the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are showing their age. In that case, refacing may be a better option than replacing the cabinets. Here's how kitchen cabinet refacing works at Better Cabinets & Bath.

What gets replaced and what stays

Refacing replaces the main visible components of the cabinets: the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware.

Face frames are handled differently. Those are the strips of wood around each cabinet opening. We don't replace them. We cover them with a veneer that matches the new doors, so the old finish doesn't show.

The cabinet boxes and the layout stay the same. Your countertops, sink, plumbing, and appliances usually aren't touched, because nothing behind the cabinet fronts gets removed. That's why the job costs less and goes faster than a tear-out.

What condition your cabinets need to be in

Since the boxes stay, they need to be in good condition. New doors can't fix rot, serious water damage, or structural problems. We won't reface over a box with those issues. The sink base is a common trouble spot. Particle boards that get wet over the years can go soft or swell. If you spot a leak under the sink, get it fixed first. The EPA's guide to mold and moisture in the home says to fix plumbing leaks as soon as possible. It also recommends drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.

We check the boxes before recommending refacing. For an early read, send photos or a short video for a virtual estimate. We also do free in-home estimates.

Choosing doors, finishes, and hardware

With new doors and drawer fronts, you're not stuck with your current style. Switching the door style usually does more to update a kitchen than a new color does. Houzz has a before-and-after look at three refaced kitchens. One is a dark Atlanta kitchen that came out much brighter. Our door style and finish catalog shows the options. The showroom at 3460 US-1 in Rockledge has door samples, finishes, and hardware you can see in person. A finish can look different under real light than it does on a screen.

Adding storage without replacing cabinets

Keeping the boxes doesn't lock you into the same interior. We install upgrades like pull-out trays, Lazy Susans for corners, spice drawers, built-in trash bins, and soft-close drawers. Bring it up at the consultation if storage is on your list.

How long it takes and what to expect

Plan on about a week for most kitchens, longer for bigger ones. The people who measure are the people who install, and they're our employees, not subcontractors.

During the work, some cabinets will be without doors. With the countertops, sink, and appliances staying put, you can usually keep using your kitchen throughout.

Florida's humidity can be hard on cabinet materials, particularly when moisture gets into exposed edges. Our refacing uses moisture- and humidity-resistant materials and comes with a 5-year warranty.

What it costs

Expect a starting range of $6,000 to $8,000. Kitchen size and the doors and hardware you pick are the main factors in where you land. You'll get a specific price after the free consultation, with no hidden fees.

When refacing isn't the right choice

• The boxes are damaged. New fronts on rotted or water-damaged cabinets just cover the problem. Replacing them is the better call.

• The layout doesn't work for you. If your current layout doesn't work, refacing won't solve that problem. Changing the layout generally means replacing the cabinetry, which we also build and install.

• The doors themselves are fine. Solid doors in a style you like, with only a worn finish, may just need refinishing or paint. Cabinet painting runs about $3,000 to $5,000 and takes around two weeks.

If you're unsure which option makes sense for your kitchen, schedule a free consultation. We'll check the condition of your cabinets and talk through what you want to change. Then we'll tell you whether refacing, refinishing, or replacement is the better fit.