Kitchen Cabinet Repair & Refacing: Is It Worth It?

The kitchen is the most used room in most homes, and the cabinets are the first thing people notice. Outdated, damaged, or worn-out cabinets can make an entire kitchen feel tired — even if everything else is in good shape. But full cabinet replacement is one of the most expensive kitchen projects, often running $10,000 to $25,000 or more.

The good news is that most cabinet problems can be solved with repairs, refacing, or targeted upgrades that cost a fraction of replacement. Here is how to evaluate your cabinets, understand your options, and decide what makes the most sense for your budget and your home.

Common Kitchen Cabinet Problems in Florida

Swollen or Warped Doors

Florida’s humidity is particularly hard on cabinet doors, especially those made from solid wood or MDF (medium-density fiberboard). Humidity causes these materials to absorb moisture and swell, leading to doors that stick, will not close properly, or warp visibly. This is most common on cabinets near the dishwasher, sink, and stove — areas with the highest moisture exposure.

Peeling Laminate and Veneer

Many builder-grade cabinets in Tampa Bay area homes use laminate or veneer over particleboard. When moisture penetrates the edges — often starting at the bottom of base cabinets where spills and humidity collect — the laminate delaminates and peels. Once peeling starts at one corner, it spreads across the entire face if not addressed.

Damaged Drawer Slides and Hinges

Drawers that jam, sag, or fall off track and cabinet doors with loose or broken hinges are among the most common complaints. In many cases, the cabinet boxes themselves are fine — the hardware simply needs replacement. Upgrading from basic hinges to soft-close hinges and from inexpensive drawer slides to full-extension ball-bearing slides transforms the feel of the entire kitchen.

Water Damage Under the Sink

The cabinet under the kitchen sink is the most damage-prone cabinet in the home. Even a slow drip can destroy the bottom panel, cause mold growth, and weaken the cabinet structure. In Florida’s humidity, the damage accelerates. Often, the cabinet bottom needs to be replaced or reinforced, and the source of the moisture (usually a slow plumbing leak or failed caulk) must be addressed first.

Repair Options: Fix What You Have

Before considering refacing or replacement, evaluate whether repairs can solve your specific problems. A skilled handyman can handle most of these:

• Adjust or replace hinges: $3 to $8 per hinge for soft-close upgrades that eliminate slamming and improve alignment.
• Replace drawer slides: $15 to $30 per drawer for full-extension ball-bearing slides that glide smoothly.
• Repair or replace damaged panels: Individual drawer fronts, cabinet bottoms, and shelves can be replaced without touching the rest of the kitchen.
• Repaint cabinet doors: A professional-quality paint job on existing doors and frames can completely change the look of your kitchen for $1,000 to $3,000 — far less than replacement.
• Replace hardware: New knobs and pulls cost $2 to $15 each and make a surprisingly big visual impact.

Refacing: A Middle-Ground Solution

Cabinet refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes in place and replaces the visible surfaces — doors, drawer fronts, and sometimes the exposed face frames. New doors and drawer fronts are manufactured to fit your existing boxes, and a matching veneer or laminate is applied to the visible frame surfaces.

When refacing makes sense:

• Cabinet boxes are structurally sound (no rot, sagging, or significant water damage)
• You are satisfied with the current cabinet layout
• You want a completely new look without the disruption and cost of full replacement
• Your budget is $4,000 to $10,000 rather than $15,000 to $25,000

When refacing does not make sense:

• Cabinet boxes have significant water damage, mold, or structural problems
• You want to change the layout (move, add, or remove cabinets)
• The existing boxes are particleboard that has swollen from moisture exposure

When Full Replacement Is the Right Call

If your cabinet boxes are damaged, your kitchen layout needs to change, or the cabinets are so outdated that refacing would not achieve the result you want, replacement is the better investment. Full replacement is disruptive — typically 1 to 3 weeks of work — but it gives you the opportunity to improve storage, adjust counter height, and upgrade to better materials that withstand Florida’s humidity.

For a sense of how cabinet upgrades fit into a broader home improvement plan, read our article on affordable ways to update your home for more ideas that deliver high impact without breaking the budget.

Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Cabinets

Whether you repair, reface, or replace, protect your investment with these maintenance habits:

• Wipe up water and spills immediately — standing water is the biggest enemy of cabinet materials.
• Use your range hood exhaust fan when cooking to remove steam and grease from the air before they settle on cabinet surfaces.
• Check under the sink monthly for signs of drips or moisture. A small leak caught early is a $50 fix; ignored, it becomes a $500+ cabinet replacement.
• Keep humidity in check. If your kitchen stays humid, running the AC or a small dehumidifier helps protect cabinets and other wood surfaces. This ties into managing humidity throughout your Florida home.
• Clean cabinet surfaces regularly with a damp (not wet) cloth and mild cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals that strip finishes.

Frequently Asked Questions