Yes — in most cases, refacing costs quite a bit less than full replacement. That’s because you’re keeping the existing cabinet boxes instead of tearing everything out and starting over. You avoid demolition, disposal costs, new box materials, and a large portion of the labour involved in a full cabinet install. Using the typical Ontario price ranges — roughly $5,000 to $15,000 for refacing versus $15,000 to $40,000 or more for custom replacement — the savings generally fall in the 40 to 60 percent range, though the exact figure depends on the scope and materials involved in each approach.

For homeowners whose layout still works well, that can make refacing a very smart investment. You get a fresh, updated look without paying for changes you may not actually need.

The key question is whether the cabinets are still structurally sound and whether the kitchen works well as it is. If the answer to both is yes, refacing often gives you the best balance of cost and impact.