Should I reface my kitchen?

Kitchen Refacing & Cabinet Door Replacement — Auckland

What refacing includes

Refacing (sometimes called cabinet resurfacing or door replacement) updates every visible surface of your cabinetry: new doors and drawer fronts in your choice of colour and finish, new hinges and drawer runners, and matching panels for visible cabinet ends. Your existing cabinet boxes stay where they are. Because we manufacture doors in our own factory, they’re custom-cut to your exact cabinet sizes — not off-the-shelf approximations — in the same materials we use for new kitchens: melamine, thermoformed, or lacquered (2-pac).

What it costs in Auckland (2026)

As a rule of thumb, refacing costs 40–60% of replacing the same kitchen outright. Lacquered (2-pac) fronts sit at the upper end of each band; melamine at the lower end. Every kitchen is different — these bands reflect recent Auckland projects and our 2026 kitchen cost guide, and your quote will depend on the number of fronts, materials, and whether the benchtop is included.

When refacing is worth it

✓  Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound — no swelling, water damage or failing joints.

✓  The layout already works: sink, cooktop and fridge are where you want them.

✓  You want the kitchen transformed in weeks, not months — refacing typically takes about two weeks with the kitchen usable for most of it.

✓  You’re updating a rental or preparing a sound but dated kitchen for sale.

✓  The budget is under $20,000 and you’d rather spend it on visible surfaces than replace boxes nobody sees.

When it isn’t

✗  Carcasses are swollen, water-damaged or delaminating — new fronts on failing boxes is money down the drain.

✗  You want a different layout, an island, or more storage: refacing keeps everything exactly where it is.

✗  The interiors are the problem — sagging shelves, failed runners and poor storage need more than cosmetic work.

✗  Your existing colours and finishes can’t be matched — suppliers regularly retire colour ranges, and surfaces fade with age, so new fronts may not blend with what stays.

✗  You’re planning a premium, long-term kitchen. Buyers and valuers can spot a cosmetic refresh on an old kitchen; a 15–20 year kitchen justifies full replacement.

Not sure which side you’re on? That’s exactly what an assessment is for. We’ll tell you straight if refacing is the smart option — or if your money is better spent on a full replacement. Quotes for whole-kitchen refacing are free; standard charges may apply for minor one-off repairs.

Why have Elite reface your kitchen

Most refacing outfits are installers who order doors from a factory. We are the factory. Elite Kitchens has been manufacturing cabinetry in Auckland since 1958. Your new fronts are made in our Papakura workshop, matched to European hardware from Blum and Häfele with lifetime warranties, and installed by our own team — the same people who build our full kitchens. 4.8 stars on Google from more than 70 Auckland homeowners.

Frequently asked questions

How much does kitchen refacing cost in Auckland?

Most Auckland refacing projects start from around $6,000 for new doors, drawer fronts and hardware. A full refresh that adds a new benchtop, splashback and tapware typically lands between $8,000 and $18,000 including GST. As a rule of thumb, refacing costs 40–60% of full cabinet replacement.

Is it cheaper to reface or replace kitchen cabinets?

Refacing is significantly cheaper — typically 40–60% of the cost of full replacement — provided your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound. If carcasses are swollen or the layout needs to change, full replacement is better long-term value.

How long does kitchen refacing take?

About two weeks for a typical Auckland kitchen, and your kitchen stays usable for most of that time. Doors are manufactured in our Papakura factory first (roughly 4 weeks for melamine, 6–7 weeks for thermoformed or lacquered fronts), then installed in a matter of days.

Can any kitchen be refaced?

No — the cabinet boxes must be structurally sound. Swollen or water-damaged carcasses, failing joints, or a layout that doesn’t work are all signs you need replacement rather than refacing. We assess this before quoting.

Does refacing add value to my home?

A well-executed reface on sound cabinetry presents like a new kitchen for a fraction of the cost, which is why it’s popular before sale. Be aware that buyers can spot cosmetic work on a fundamentally dated kitchen — in that case a full renovation returns more.

Do you make the doors yourselves?

Yes. Every door and drawer front is custom-made in our own Papakura factory to your exact cabinet dimensions, in melamine, thermoformed or lacquered finishes, fitted with Blum or Häfele hardware carrying lifetime warranties.