THE SHORT ANSWER
Estimate cabinet refacing from a door-and-drawer schedule plus the exposed surfaces of sound cabinet boxes. Separate products, veneer labour, hardware and alignment; a face count alone misses important work.
This Australian walkthrough uses a fictional 12-door kitchen cabinet refresh in Hobart, Tasmania. The matching cabinet refacing estimate example shows the same item quantities and amounts in an app-exported PDF. Measure your own site and replace the example rates before issuing a client quote.
1. Inventory every opening
Count doors and drawer fronts by size, swing and location. Photograph special corners and appliance panels so the supplier schedule can be reconciled to the actual kitchen.
For this example, the agreed starting scope is: Reface sound existing cabinet boxes with 12 new doors and six drawer fronts. Include 7.9 m² of exposed-box veneer allowance, hinge and pull allowances, door and front fitting, and cleanup. Cabinet boxes, layout and benchtops remain in place. A change to a listed surface, product or access assumption should trigger a revised line or allowance.
2. Inspect existing boxes
Refacing assumes boxes that can remain. Record loose joints, water damage or out-of-square openings before pricing; box replacement changes the scope rather than becoming invisible prep.
3. Measure exposed surfaces
Veneer area is not the kitchen floor area or cabinet run length. Measure visible end panels, face frames and other surfaces to receive the selected finish.
4. Separate hardware decisions
Confirm hinge type, pull selection and who supplies them. Include a final adjustment line so the handoff describes operating doors rather than merely delivered components.
Worked cabinet refacing calculation
Two checkable lines from the example are 18 each × A$25.20 = A$453.60; 12 each × A$203.00 = A$2,436.00. The full 8-line estimate totals A$9,564.12 with the demonstration tax input at 0%. The amount is a fictional scenario, not an Australian market rate or a recommended selling price.
Material purchasing and installed quantities may differ. For your own estimate, use the actual takeoff, supplier prices, labour plan, access and disposal requirements. Decide how overhead, profit and the applicable tax treatment affect your final quote; do not copy the example's zero tax setting.
Before you share the estimate
- Count and identify all doors and drawer fronts.
- Inspect cabinet-box condition.
- Measure veneer coverage.
- Confirm hardware and finish selections.
Scope boundary in this example: No cabinet-box replacement, layout change, benchtop work, appliance panels not listed or concealed moisture repair.
Confirm the client details and location, item descriptions, measured units, total and validity date. If opening up the work reveals a different condition, document the changed scope and price before proceeding.
Common questions about cabinet refacing
Is refacing the same as cabinet replacement?
No. This example retains suitable cabinet boxes and prices new visible faces and hardware. Replacement cabinets require another takeoff.
Can door count price the whole job?
Door count helps, but drawer fronts, box veneer, hardware and preparation need their own quantities or defined allowances.
FROM SCOPE TO PDF
Make your own cabinet refacing estimate.
Describe the actual job in Estimates on iPhone or Android, then review every quantity, rate and scope note. Add your business and client details, check the document and share an itemised PDF. Example amounts are fictional, and some app features may require an in-app purchase.
