Refresh your kitchen's look without a full refit
Kitchen Refacing
Kitchen refacing is the replacement of a kitchen's doors, drawer fronts, handles and worktop while retaining the existing carcasses and layout, giving a visually new kitchen at a lower cost and with less disruption than a full kitchen replacement.
Definition
What Kitchen Refacing covers
Refacing (sometimes called a kitchen facelift) replaces the visible, wearing elements of a kitchen — doors, drawer fronts, handles and often the worktop — while keeping the structural carcasses, which are usually the most durable part of a kitchen if sound. It's suited to kitchens where the layout still works but the finish looks dated or worn.
Suitable for
- Kitchens with sound, well-fitted carcasses but tired doors and worktop
- Homeowners wanting a visual update without repositioning plumbing or electrics
- Rental or resale properties needing a cost-effective refresh
- Kitchens where the layout works well and doesn't need to change
Not suitable for
- Carcasses that are damaged, swollen or structurally unsound (these need replacing, not refacing)
- Layout changes such as moving the sink, hob or units to a different position
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Assessment
Checking the condition of existing carcasses to confirm they're sound enough to reface, and measuring for new doors, fronts and worktop.
- 02
Selection
Choosing new door styles, colours, handles and worktop to suit the space.
- 03
Fitting
Removing old doors and fronts, fitting new ones to the existing carcasses, and fitting the new worktop.
- 04
Finishing
Fitting handles, trims and any new end panels, with a final check for alignment and fit.
Typical timescale
A typical refacing job takes two to four days on site, depending on the number of units and whether the worktop is being replaced at the same time.
Cost guidance
Kitchen refacing typically costs £1500–£5000 per job in our area, with the number of doors and drawer fronts and whether the worktop is also being replaced pushing the price toward the top of that range. We provide an itemised quotation after a site visit rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Refacing depends on the existing carcasses being structurally sound — this is confirmed at assessment before any order is placed
- Changes to the kitchen layout, plumbing or electrics fall outside refacing and are quoted as a separate scope
- Appliances are not included unless agreed separately
Areas we cover
Kitchen Refacing across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for kitchen refacing in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Kitchen Refacing FAQs
How do I know if my kitchen is suitable for refacing rather than a full replacement?
The key factor is the condition of the carcasses — if they're square, dry and free of damage or swelling (particularly around the sink and dishwasher), refacing is usually a viable option. We check this during the initial assessment.
Can the worktop be replaced as part of refacing?
Yes, replacing the worktop alongside the doors and fronts is common and often included in the same job — it's one of the changes that makes the biggest visual difference.
How does refacing compare in cost to a full kitchen replacement?
Refacing is generally significantly cheaper than a full replacement because the carcasses, and the plumbing and electrical connections built around them, don't need to be disturbed.
Discuss your kitchen refacing project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.