Start with the boxes, not the doors
Doors and finishes are what you notice, but the cabinet boxes decide what's possible. Open every door and look inside. Are the sides solid, or swollen near the sink and dishwasher? Do the face frames line up, or have years of settling pulled them out of square? Is the layout itself working? Many kitchens in established McLean neighborhoods were built with solid wood boxes that are still in good condition; others have been through earlier remodels of uneven quality. The answer is different in every house.
When refacing is the practical choice
Refacing keeps your existing boxes and replaces what you see: new doors, new drawer fronts and matching veneer over the frames, usually with new hinges and hardware. It's a good fit when:
- The boxes are square, solid and dry.
- You like the current layout and storage locations.
- The countertops are staying, or are being replaced without changing the cabinet footprint.
- The goal is a new look rather than a new way of using the kitchen.
When replacement is worth it
Replacement makes more sense when the boxes are damaged, the layout is changing, or you need storage that the current footprint can't give you. Opening a wall, adding an island, moving the range to an exterior wall for venting, or fitting larger built-in appliances all usually mean new cabinets. In that case, our custom cabinetry or full remodel services are the better starting point.
What's included
- On-site evaluation of your existing cabinet boxes and their condition.
- Refacing: new doors, drawer fronts and matching veneer over existing boxes.
- Full replacement where boxes are damaged or the layout is changing.
- Hardware, hinge and soft-close upgrades.
- Color and finish selection.
The two photos above are from the same Kitchen Kings project in Herndon, not McLean: the original cream raised-panel cabinets, then the new white shaker cabinets going in. In that kitchen the owners chose replacement as part of a full remodel.
A note on mixed approaches
It's common to reface perimeter cabinets that are in good shape while building a new island or pantry wall. The challenge is making old and new read as one kitchen. Doors and veneer can be matched to the new pieces because both are new; the boxes underneath are what differ. We'll tell you plainly if a mix will look patched in your kitchen.
What to have ready for the cabinet evaluation
Before we visit, empty the sink base and one or two other cabinets so we can see the box interiors, and note any doors that sag, drawers that stick, or places where you've seen water. If you've been collecting ideas for door styles or colors, bring them. And tell us honestly whether the layout bothers you, because that single answer often decides refacing versus replacement faster than anything we find inside the boxes.
Typical cost
| Tier | Typical Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement | We help you decide what's worth replacing and what's worth refacing. | $8,000–$25,000 |
| Custom Cabinetry | Built to the exact dimensions and storage needs of your kitchen. | $10,000–$30,000 |
Typical Northern Virginia reference ranges from the Kitchen Kings cost guide, not quotes. Your price depends on the written scope for your McLean kitchen.
Related
Is refacing cheaper than replacing kitchen cabinets?▸
Usually, because the boxes stay. Kitchen Kings' typical Northern Virginia reference range for cabinet refacing or replacement work is $8,000–$25,000; full custom cabinetry runs $10,000–$30,000. Neither is a quote.
Can you reface cabinets with water damage under the sink?▸
Not reliably. Damaged boxes should be repaired or replaced first. That's one reason we evaluate the cabinets on site before recommending refacing.
Do I need to replace my countertops if I reface?▸
Not necessarily. Refacing works around existing countertops in many kitchens. If you're planning new counters soon, it's often simpler to do both together.