Cabinets are often the largest single item in a kitchen update. If yours look tired, you have two main options: reface the existing boxes with new doors, drawer fronts and veneer, or tear them out and install new cabinets. Both are generally finish work, but they lead to very different projects.
Key takeaways
- Refacing keeps the existing boxes and layout and changes the look.
- Replacement allows a new layout, sizes and storage.
- Cabinets and countertops alone are generally exempt from a building permit in Las Vegas and Clark County.
Option A: refacing
Refacing covers the existing cabinet boxes with a new veneer or laminate and replaces doors, drawer fronts and usually hardware. The kitchen stays mostly usable, demolition is minimal and the countertops can often stay in place. It works best when the boxes are solid, dry and in a layout you like.
Option B: replacement
Replacement removes the old cabinets entirely and installs new ones. It lets you change the layout, add drawers and pull-outs, adjust heights and fix damaged boxes. It usually means new countertops too, since old tops rarely survive removal, and it turns a finish update into a fuller kitchen remodel.
Side-by-side comparison
| Refacing | Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Stays the same | Can change completely |
| Disruption | Lower, kitchen often usable | Higher, kitchen out of service |
| Countertops | Often kept | Usually replaced |
| Fixes damaged boxes | No | Yes |
| Permit for cabinets alone | Generally not required | Generally not required, unless plumbing, wiring or walls change |
Which one fits
Refacing fits when the boxes are in good shape, the layout works and you mainly want a new look. Replacement fits when the layout frustrates you, the boxes are damaged or you plan to change plumbing, appliances or walls anyway. If water damage is present under the sink, that alone may point to replacement of at least those units.
Check the boxes first
Open every cabinet and look for soft or swollen panels, especially under the sink and near the dishwasher, loose joints and sagging shelves. Refacing over damaged boxes only hides the problem. Ask each contractor to inspect the boxes and state their condition in the bid.
Tip: If you are unsure, ask for two written bids from the same contractor: one for refacing and one for replacement, based on the same scope. It makes the trade-off concrete.
Permits and when they apply
The City of Las Vegas and Clark County both list cabinets, countertops and similar finish work as exempt from a building permit. That changes once the project moves plumbing, adds wiring, alters walls or changes vented appliances. A replacement that moves the sink to an island, for example, relocates concealed plumbing and would need a permit. See When You Need a Building Permit in Las Vegas.
Who to hire
A cabinet-only job may be done by a specialty contractor, as long as the contractor’s classification covers the work. If you are unsure which classification applies, the Contractors Board can tell you. If the project involves more than two types of work, the Contractors Board says you may hire a licensed general building contractor to coordinate the trades. In either case, check the license classification and monetary limit. See How to Check a Nevada Contractor License.
What a refacing bid should list
- Which surfaces get new veneer: face frames, end panels and any exposed sides.
- The number of new doors and drawer fronts, and their material.
- Whether hinges, slides and hardware are replaced.
- Any new units added, such as a pantry or a replacement sink base.
- How the countertops and backsplash will be protected during the work.
Compare the same list across bids, just as you would for a full replacement.
Materials in a dry climate
Las Vegas air is dry, and wood can move with changes in humidity. Ask contractors about the materials they propose, how they handle wood movement and what the warranty covers. Keep product specifications and warranty papers in your project binder.
Planning the kitchen around the decision
Whichever option you choose, decide on hardware, lighting under the wall cabinets and any new appliances before work starts, since they affect door sizes and wiring. If you are replacing cabinets, read Kitchen Remodel Order of Work, Step by Step for the full sequence.
Common mistakes
Refacing damaged boxes, underestimating how long a replacement leaves the kitchen unusable and forgetting that new cabinets often mean new countertops are the most common mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reface cabinets myself?
Nevada’s owner-builder exemption allows owners to work on their own home for their own occupancy. For anything beyond small tasks, compare that with hiring a licensed contractor.
Does refacing change the countertop?
Often not, but ask whether the countertop edge and overhang will work with thicker doors.
Is replacement always better?
No. If the boxes are sound and the layout works, refacing can deliver a new look with less disruption.
Keep the choice and the bids in your How to Set Up a Remodel Project Binder.