Kitchen Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
Cabinet refacing in South Florida is governed by conditions most national guides skip: ambient relative humidity regularly exceeds 80% from June through October across Palm Beach and Broward County, and coastal salt-air exposure begins degrading standard zinc-alloy hinges within 2–4 years at beachside properties. Henry Remodeling replaces cabinet doors, drawer fronts, exposed veneer, and hardware across both counties while preserving structurally sound box frames in place. Every material call — door substrate, cement chemistry, hinge grade — is made against the specific humidity and heat exposure at each cabinet position, not as a blanket specification. Henry Remodeling provides specialized, hands-on installation services working under the umbrella of state-licensed General Contractors; our licensed GC partners manage any structural or permit-required scope where applicable.
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What Our Cabinet Refacing Service Includes
Every Henry Remodeling cabinet refacing scope begins with a written, line-item estimate listing doors, drawer fronts, veneer, hardware, and labor as separate line items. You approve the full scope and price before a start date is scheduled. Henry Remodeling provides specialized, hands-on installation services working under the umbrella of state-licensed General Contractors; our licensed GC partners manage any structural or permit-required scope where applicable.
- Box inspection at every position — structural soundness, plumb, and moisture integrity documented before veneer is ordered
- Removal of all existing doors, drawer fronts, and hardware; old materials hauled off at project close
- Veneer application to all visible face frames, exposed end panels, and cabinet sides using solvent-based contact cement
- New door installation — RTF, painted-MDF (shaker or flat), or solid wood selected by cabinet position and heat exposure
- New drawer front installation matched to door profile and finish color from the same production run
- Soft-close European hinge replacement on every door (three-way adjustable, 80,000+ cycle rated)
- Full-extension soft-close undermount drawer slide replacement on every drawer in the scope
- Final alignment check: every door and drawer verified and adjusted before project sign-off
Types of Cabinet Refacing
Door and Drawer Front Replacement Only
New RTF or painted-MDF doors and matching drawer fronts on existing hardware. No veneer work. Fastest scope — correct when face frames are in clean visual condition and cost efficiency is the priority over a full surface transformation.
Full Reface — Doors, Fronts, and Veneer
New doors and drawer fronts plus solvent-cemented veneer on all visible face frames and exposed end panels. The standard full-refacing scope for South Florida kitchens — complete visual transformation without demolition cost or kitchen disruption.
Full Reface + Hardware and Molding
Complete door, veneer, and hardware replacement plus light-rail or crown molding on upper cabinet runs. The strongest visual outcome achievable in a refacing scope — approaches new-cabinet appearance at roughly half the replacement cost.
Bathroom Vanity Refacing
New vanity doors and drawer fronts matched to profile and finish. Veneer on face frame. Soft-close hinges throughout. Often paired with countertop and fixture replacement to complete a full bathroom surface update within a single project.
Benefits of Cabinet Refacing
40–60% Less Than Full Cabinet Replacement
Full kitchen cabinet replacement in South Florida runs $10,000–$22,000. Refacing the same kitchen costs $4,500–$11,000 — comparable appearance, no demolition, no plumbing or electrical disruption, and no countertop reinstallation cost.
Material Specification Matched to Coastal Climate
RTF over MDF core for standard interior positions. Factory-baked painted-MDF with sealed edges for dishwasher-adjacent and range-proximate runs where sustained heat causes edge separation in standard thermofoil. Correct material choice at each position eliminates the most common South Florida refacing failure mode.
Kitchen Stays Functional Throughout the Project
No demolition, no plumbing relocation, no drywall repair. The kitchen remains largely usable during the 3–5 day installation process — a significant advantage in occupied homes and condo units where kitchen access cannot be interrupted for weeks.
Soft-Close Hardware Replaced Throughout
All hinges replaced with three-way adjustable soft-close European hinges (80,000+ cycle rated). All drawer slides replaced with full-extension soft-close undermount slides. Standard on every scope — not optional, not selective.
Cabinet Refacing Pricing in South Florida
Refacing cost is driven by door count, door material, and veneer scope — not room square footage. Cabinet positions near dishwashers require painted-MDF rather than RTF, which adjusts the per-door cost upward for those specific runs. A single water-damaged box discovered at demo is priced separately and not included in the main scope until confirmed at walkthrough.
Palm Beach & Broward County pricing as of 2026. Written, itemized estimate provided before any work begins.
What Affects the Cost of Cabinet Refacing
Eight variables determine where a South Florida cabinet refacing project falls within the pricing ranges above. Door count, material, and veneer scope account for roughly 70% of the spread between low and high estimates. The remaining five drivers are specific to this climate and market.
1. Door count and drawer fronts
Every door and every drawer front is a discrete unit cost. Small kitchen 10–14 doors: $3,500–$5,500. Medium 16–24 doors: $5,500–$9,500. Large 25+ doors: $8,500–$13,500.
2. Door material — RTF vs. painted-MDF vs. solid wood
RTF over MDF core is the lowest-cost option appropriate for positions away from heat. Factory-baked painted-MDF with sealed edges is required for dishwasher-adjacent runs in South Florida — correct specification, not an upgrade. Solid wood is the most durable and most expensive.
3. Veneer scope — door-only swap vs. face frame and end panels
Door-only replacement with no veneer work is the lowest entry point. Adding contact-cemented veneer to all visible face frames and exposed end panels produces the complete visual transformation. Skipping end-panel veneer is visible and inconsistent from the kitchen entrance.
4. Crown and light-rail molding
No molding: no cost impact. Light-rail under upper cabinets: $200–$500. Crown molding on upper run: $400–$950 depending on lineal footage and profile complexity.
5. Hardware — client-supplied vs. contractor-supplied
Client supplies pulls and knobs: installation included in labor. Contractor supplies: $150–$650 depending on pull style, finish, and whether premium Blum or Häfele hinges are selected.
6. Box condition — sound vs. replacement needed
Structurally sound boxes with no water damage: no add-on. Each box requiring replacement due to moisture-swollen or delaminated particleboard adds $350–$700. Box condition is not fully quotable before demo — it is identified at the pre-job walkthrough.
7. Condo and HOA access coordination
Detached homes: no overhead. Condo buildings in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Deerfield Beach require contractor registration and elevator reservations — adding 3–7 days to scheduling lead time, not material cost.
8. Coastal proximity and hinge specification
Properties within approximately one mile of the coast — East Boca 33432, Deerfield Beach 33441, Pompano Beach 33062 — require stainless-finish or marine-grade soft-close hinges. Standard zinc-alloy shows visible corrosion within 2–4 years at high salt-air exposures. Hardware upcharge: $80–$200 per kitchen.
South Florida Pricing Context & Budget Levels
National Baseline
The national average for a full kitchen cabinet reface runs $6,500–$12,000. South Florida projects run 15–25% above that baseline. Three factors drive the premium: a competitive labor market in Palm Beach and Broward County, material upgrades required by coastal humidity (solvent-based cement, marine-grade hardware, painted-MDF at heat-exposed positions), and HOA and condo scheduling overhead that does not exist in most detached-home markets nationally.
Why the Premium Delivers Value
A cabinet refacing job priced at the national average — water-based cement for veneer, RTF throughout regardless of position, standard zinc-alloy hinges — begins failing in a South Florida home within 18–24 months. Veneer lifts at edges. Dishwasher-adjacent RTF doors delaminate at corners. Hinges corrode by year two in coastal properties. The correct-specification South Florida scope, priced accordingly, delivers 10–15 years under the same conditions.
National Average
$6,500–$12,000
Full kitchen reface, national average market
South Florida (Palm Beach / Broward)
$5,500–$13,500
15–25% above national baseline for correct-spec materials
vs. Full Replacement
40–60% Saved
Full box replacement in South Florida: $10,000–$22,000
Budget Tiers — What Each Level Delivers
Three budget tiers define the realistic South Florida cabinet refacing spectrum in 2026. Each tier is defined by the scope it funds, not an arbitrary quality tier — every tier uses correct materials for the installation position.
Low Budget
$3,500–$5,500
RTF door-only swap. Stock shaker or flat-panel profiles. 10–14 doors. No veneer — face frames must be in clean condition. Existing hardware reused if not corroding. Fastest turnaround.
Mid-Range
$5,500–$9,500
Full reface. Painted-MDF shaker, 15–22 doors. Full veneer on face frames and end panels. Soft-close hardware throughout. Dishwasher-adjacent run specified as painted-MDF. Most common South Florida scope.
High-End
$9,500–$13,500
23+ doors. Solid wood or premium painted-MDF throughout. Crown molding. Premium hardware (Blum Clip-Top or Häfele). Full veneer. Box replacements as discovered. Marine-grade hardware if coastal.
Hidden Costs, Quote Differences, and DIY Risks
Hidden Costs Not in the Quote
- Discovered box damage at demo: Particleboard box sides swollen from moisture are not visible until existing laminate is removed. Each compromised box adds $350–$700 that cannot be priced before demo. A documented pre-job box assessment reduces this risk significantly.
- Semi-custom door lead time: No material cost impact, but 2–3 week lead times for semi-custom painted-MDF doors from Doral and Miami suppliers affect scheduling in occupied homes.
- Condo HOA scheduling: Contractor registration, elevator reservations, building manager notification — no material cost, but adds 3–7 days of scheduling lead time in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Deerfield Beach.
- Replacement door color batch variance: If a door is damaged post-installation, an expedited re-order from a different production batch creates visible color variance under kitchen lighting. Ordering spare doors from the original batch at project start prevents this entirely.
Why Cheap Quotes Fail in South Florida
- Water-based contact cement used for veneer — loses bond strength above 80% RH; edge lifting begins within 12–18 months
- RTF specified for all positions without dishwasher or range proximity assessment — thermal edge failure within 12–24 months at heat-exposed doors
- Box assessment skipped — veneer bonded directly over water-damaged particleboard, failing at the substrate level
- Veneer applied only to face frames, skipping exposed end panels — visually inconsistent from the kitchen entrance
DIY Cabinet Refacing in South Florida — Specific Risks
- Veneer adhesion requires solvent-based contact cement applied at controlled temperature — not a summer afternoon DIY application at 88% RH in a South Florida kitchen
- Full-overlay door specification requires ±1/16″ accuracy across 20–30 doors — overlay must be measured from physical boxes with doors removed, not estimated visually
- Wood veneer sheet layout must be pre-planned before cutting to ensure consistent grain direction across adjacent cabinet faces
- No box assessment capability — veneering over unexamined particleboard with hidden moisture damage is the leading DIY refacing failure mode in this market
South Florida–Specific Refacing Factors
Insider Tip
In South Florida, the single most predictive failure factor for cabinet refacing is the box substrate hidden under the existing laminate. Homes built between 1985 and 2005 across Palm Beach and Broward County — covering most of the housing stock in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Coral Springs, and Pembroke Pines — used particleboard box sides rather than plywood. Particleboard swells and delaminates under repeated moisture exposure, most frequently at the sink base cabinet and the dishwasher-adjacent base run. New veneer applied over swollen particleboard fails at the bond line within 12–18 months. Before any materials are ordered, request a written box-condition assessment that documents each cabinet position and identifies which boxes require replacement before veneer application begins.
5 South Florida Factors That Affect Every Refacing Project
- Chronic Ambient Humidity (80–90% RH in Summer): Water-based contact cement loses adhesion above 80% relative humidity. Solvent-based cement is not a preference in South Florida — it is a technical requirement. Veneer scheduled for summer installation is applied during morning hours before humidity peaks.
- 1985–2005 Particleboard Cabinet Stock: Homes from this era in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Coral Springs, and Pembroke Pines commonly have particleboard — not plywood — box sides. Box condition must be physically assessed before any veneer order is placed. Plywood-box homes in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens generally have better substrate durability.
- HOA and Condo Scheduling Overhead: Condo buildings in Boca Raton 33432, Fort Lauderdale 33301/33304, and Deerfield Beach 33441 require contractor registration, elevator reservations, and building management notification — adding 3–7 days to scheduling lead time.
- Salt-Air Corrosion in Coastal ZIP Codes: Properties within approximately one mile of the coast — East Boca 33432, The Cove Deerfield Beach 33441, Pompano Beach beachside 33062, Las Olas Fort Lauderdale 33301 — require stainless-finish or marine-grade soft-close hinges. Standard zinc-alloy develops surface corrosion and hinge binding within 2–4 years.
- Door Overlay Precision in 1990s Face-Frame Kitchens: Full-overlay doors require ±1/16″ reveal-line consistency across all doors in a run. South Florida kitchens from the 1990s frequently used half-overlay hinges; door orders must confirm overlay type from physical box geometry with existing doors removed — not estimated from a closed-door visual inspection.
When Cabinet Refacing Is the Right Scope
- Cabinet doors are delaminating, warped, or showing edge separation — particularly RTF or standard thermofoil doors near the dishwasher or under-sink position in South Florida’s humidity
- You want a different door style, profile, or color while the existing box layout functions correctly for your kitchen workflow
- Drawer slides are failing — drawers that derail, require force to open, or won’t seat flush against the face frame
- Hinges are corroding or stripping — doors that sag, drift open, or show visible rust typical of coastal salt-air exposure
- Pre-sale kitchen refresh — updated cabinet appearance improves buyer perception at 30–40% of full replacement cost, particularly in the Boynton Beach and Delray Beach mid-tier market
- Bathroom vanity face is outdated and needs updating as part of a tile, countertop, or fixture replacement scope
The Transformation
Every project starts with a documented problem and closes with a verified result.
Before
The kitchen has dark espresso thermofoil doors from the early 2000s. The two doors flanking the dishwasher show delaminated edges that lift when touched. Drawer fronts are separating at bottom corners. All hinges have surface rust. The box layout — corner upper, 12 uppers, 8 lower base cabinets — is well-positioned and efficient for the kitchen workflow.
After
Painted-MDF shaker doors in warm white. Dishwasher-adjacent lower run confirmed for factory-baked MDF with sealed edges. Matching veneer on all face frames and exposed end panels using solvent-based cement. Soft-close European hinges on every door. Full-extension undermount slides on all base drawers. Brushed nickel bar pulls. Same box configuration, completely transformed appearance — no demolition, no plumbing disruption, 4-day project.
What Sets Us Apart
Written Line-Item Estimates
Doors, drawer fronts, veneer, hardware, and labor listed as separate line items. You approve scope and price before a start date is scheduled. No surprises after materials are ordered.
Position-Specific Material Specification
Every cabinet run evaluated relative to dishwasher, sink, and range before door substrate is specified. Wrong material in the wrong position is the most predictable failure point in South Florida refacing — and entirely avoidable.
Box Assessment Before Materials Are Ordered
Every box inspected for moisture damage, delamination, and structural integrity before scope is finalized. Boxes needing repair are identified and priced before the order is placed — not discovered at demo after materials have shipped.
Structural Scopes via Licensed GC Partners
Henry Remodeling provides specialized installation services under the umbrella of state-licensed General Contractors. When structural modification or permits are required, our licensed GC partners manage those scopes and pull all required city permits.
Daily Cleanup and Protected Surfaces
Floors protected throughout. Dust barriers in occupied spaces. Old doors, drawer fronts, and all packaging removed at project close. Site left clean at the end of each day.
Our Cabinet Refacing Process
- 1. Free On-Site Estimate and Box Assessment
We visit the kitchen, open every cabinet door, inspect box sides for moisture swelling and delamination, and confirm hinge overlay specification before any quote is committed. South Florida homes from 1985–2005 require this step — it is not optional. - 2. Material Selection and Written Scope Approval
Door profile, substrate (RTF, painted-MDF, or solid wood), veneer color, and hardware confirmed at the walkthrough with physical door samples brought on-site. Full written scope and pricing approved before any order is placed. - 3. Demo and Substrate Preparation
All existing doors, drawer fronts, and hardware removed. Face frames and exposed box sides cleaned and prepped. Any box damage identified at this stage is photographed, documented, and priced before proceeding. - 4. Veneer Application
Veneer applied to all visible face frames and exposed end panels using solvent-based contact cement rated for South Florida’s humidity range. Applied during morning hours in summer months. Trimmed flush, seamed at corners, and rolled for full adhesion at every panel. - 5. Door and Drawer Front Installation
New doors hung on soft-close European hinges. Drawer fronts mounted on new full-extension undermount slides. Pulls and knobs installed. Each door adjusted for consistent 1/16″ gap before moving to the next station. - 6. Molding and Touch-Up
Crown or light-rail molding installed if in scope. Touch-up applied at all visible transitions, veneer seams, and wall returns. Floor and counter protection removed and surfaces cleaned. - 7. Final Walkthrough and Client Sign-Off
Every door and drawer opened and closed. Soft-close action verified on every piece. Reveal spacing checked across adjacent door pairs. Client walks the kitchen before the project is formally closed and before the final invoice is issued.
Common Problems We Solve
Thermofoil or RTF doors delaminating near the dishwasher
Heat and steam from dishwasher exhaust cycles cause adhesive failure at door edges — the most common cabinet failure mode in South Florida. Affected doors replaced with painted-MDF or solid wood, specified to the actual heat exposure level at that position.
Drawer slides worn — drawers off track or requiring force
All drawer slides replaced with full-extension, soft-close undermount slides rated for the drawer box weight and depth. Completed on every refacing scope regardless of apparent condition — worn slides typically show no visible indicator of imminent failure.
One cabinet box has water damage near the sink
A single compromised base cabinet does not require replacing the entire kitchen. The damaged box is replaced with a structurally identical unit; all surrounding boxes refaced as normal. One-for-one box substitution within a refacing scope is a standard outcome in South Florida homes built before 2005.
Hinges corroding or failing — doors sagging or drifting open
All hinges replaced with three-way adjustable soft-close European hinges. For coastal properties, stainless-finish or marine-grade hinges specified at the time of material selection. The three-way adjustment allows precise alignment of every door after hanging.
What Can Go Wrong — Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
Documented failure patterns specific to cabinet refacing in South Florida — climate, material, and substrate issues that surface on actual jobsites.
Veneer Adhesion Failure in Coastal Humidity
South Florida ambient humidity exceeds 80% RH for months at a time. Water-based contact cement loses bonding strength at these humidity levels, causing veneer edges to lift within 12–24 months. Only solvent-based cement rated for high-humidity application should be used in this market. Veneer work scheduled for summer months is applied during morning hours before humidity peaks.
RTF Edge Separation at Dishwasher-Adjacent Positions
RTF performs acceptably under standard South Florida ambient humidity but releases at edges when exposed to repeated heat cycling from dishwasher exhaust vents. The adhesive backing softens under sustained heat; edge lifting starts at corners and progresses inward. Painted-MDF with factory-baked finish and sealed edges is the correct specification for any door within 18 inches of a dishwasher exhaust or 24 inches of a range.
Hidden Substrate Damage Under Old Laminate
Removing old laminate in South Florida homes built between 1985 and 2005 frequently exposes moisture-swollen or delaminated particleboard box sides. New veneer cannot bond reliably to a compromised substrate. Box side replacement must be completed before any veneer is applied. This cost is not fully quotable before demo — but it is identifiable through a diligent pre-demo box assessment.
Door Overlay Specification Error
South Florida kitchens from the 1990s commonly used half-overlay hinges. Ordering full-overlay doors and installing them on half-overlay boxes leaves a visible 1/4″ gap at every door pair. The overlay type must be confirmed by physically measuring the existing hinge geometry with doors removed — not estimated from a closed-door visual inspection.
Wood Veneer Grain Direction Mismatch
Wood veneer sheets cut without a pre-planned layout produce inconsistent grain direction across adjacent cabinet faces. Horizontal grain on a vertical end panel is an obvious and uncorrectable defect after installation. Veneer sheet layout must be designed before cutting begins — particularly on corner transitions and exposed end panels.
Painted Door Color Batch Variance
Painted cabinet doors from different production batches show measurable color variance under kitchen lighting. Every door in a single kitchen must come from the same production run. The most reliable solution: order one or two spare doors from the original batch at project start, so any replacement needed post-installation comes from the same run.
Common Mistakes and Homeowner Checklist
6 Common Contractor Mistakes in South Florida Cabinet Refacing
- Using water-based contact cement for veneer — the single highest-frequency cause of refacing failure in South Florida’s high-humidity climate. Not a minor shortcut: produces adhesion failure within 12–18 months.
- Blanket RTF specification for all door positions — ordering RTF throughout without assessing heat exposure near the dishwasher and range. Dishwasher-adjacent doors delaminate within 12–24 months at this market’s ambient conditions.
- Skipping box condition assessment — veneering directly over unexamined particleboard box sides. Bond fails at the substrate level; veneer lifts without warning, usually within one South Florida summer cycle.
- Ordering doors without confirming overlay type from removed boxes — estimating full vs. half overlay from a visual inspection with doors closed. Results in 1/4″ reveal gap at every door pair that cannot be corrected without re-ordering all doors.
- Applying wood veneer without pre-planning grain direction layout — produces visible grain direction mismatches at corner transitions and exposed end panels that cannot be corrected after installation.
- Re-ordering a replacement door from a different production batch — expedited re-orders from a different batch produce color variance visible under kitchen lighting. Ordering spare doors at project start from the original batch prevents this entirely.
Homeowner Pre-Project Checklist
- Request a written, itemized estimate with doors, veneer, hardware, and labor listed as separate line items — not a single lump sum
- Confirm that a physical box-condition assessment is included in the pre-job walkthrough — and ask to see the documentation
- Ask which contact cement will be used for veneer — the correct answer for South Florida is solvent-based
- Verify door material is specified by cabinet position, not as a single specification throughout — dishwasher-adjacent runs should be painted-MDF
- Confirm the entire door order comes from a single production run; ask about ordering spare doors from that batch
- Confirm door overlay type (full vs. half vs. inset) is measured from physical boxes with existing doors removed
- If your property is within one mile of the coast, ask for stainless-finish or marine-grade soft-close hinges — not standard zinc-alloy
- Confirm soft-close hardware is included on every door and drawer — not selectively applied
Timeline Reality — Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
Best Case
2–3 days
Stock RTF or painted-MDF doors already on-site. No box damage discovered. No condo coordination. Crew available immediately after scope confirmation.
Typical
3–5 days
Standard South Florida full reface with semi-custom door lead time, full veneer work, and normal field conditions. No significant box damage or HOA overhead.
Extended
2–3 weeks
Condo HOA building registration, semi-custom door lead time from Doral or Miami suppliers, or discovered box damage requiring replacement and drying time before veneer.
What Causes Timeline Extensions in South Florida
- Door Lead Time: Stock RTF: 5–10 business days. Semi-custom painted-MDF from Doral or Miami: 2–4 weeks. Custom solid wood: 3–5 weeks. Confirmed before the order is placed.
- Condo Building Access: Buildings in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Fort Lauderdale typically require contractor registration, elevator reservations, and advance building management notification — adding 3–7 days to scheduling lead time.
- Discovered Box Damage: Water-damaged box sides found at demo require material sourcing, replacement, and drying time before veneer can be applied over the new substrate. Budget 1–2 additional days per replacement box.
- Veneer Sheet Availability: Standard RTF veneer sheet: 3–5 days locally. Real wood veneer in 4×8 sheets: 3–7 days depending on species and grain specification.
Real Project Scenarios — Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
Representative cabinet refacing projects completed by Henry Remodeling across South Florida — real scope, documented challenges, and actual timelines. Names withheld per client privacy policy.
Full Reface — Painted-MDF Shaker — Coral Springs 33071
Client Profile: Homeowner family, move-up buyer, full kitchen update before move-in
Key Challenge: 1990s face-frame boxes in Ramblewood 33071 with half-overlay hinge configuration — door order required full-overlay conversion with physical measurement confirmation before spec was committed. Two lower base cabinets near the sink showed particleboard corner swelling, documented and photographed before veneer was ordered. 22 doors, 8 drawer fronts. Crown molding added to upper cabinet run. Painted-MDF throughout — dishwasher-adjacent position confirmed for factory-baked MDF with sealed edges.
Location Context: City of Coral Springs Building Division. HOA-governed Ramblewood community — contractor notification required before start.
Investment Range: $8,200–$9,600 | Timeline: 5 days
RTF Door-Only Swap — West Palm Beach 33401
Client Profile: Investor, flip property, fast turnaround required
Key Challenge: El Cid 33401 condo building required 48-hour advance notice and elevator reservation — 2 scheduling days added. 14 RTF shaker doors (bright white), 5 drawer fronts. Existing face frames confirmed clean at walkthrough — no veneer in scope. All existing hinges showed salt-air corrosion from coastal exposure within 0.5 miles; stainless-finish soft-close European hinges specified throughout as standard for this ZIP code.
Location Context: City of West Palm Beach Building Division. El Cid historic district 33401 — marine-grade hardware required for coastal exposure.
Investment Range: $4,100–$5,000 | Timeline: 2 days installation (plus 2-day condo scheduling)
Full Reface + Crown Molding — Pembroke Pines 33029
Client Profile: Homeowner, Silver Lakes HOA-governed community
Key Challenge: Silver Lakes 33029 HOA required contractor registration and project scheduling notification before start. 26 doors, 9 drawer fronts. Painted-MDF shaker in warm white — dishwasher-adjacent lower run confirmed for factory-baked MDF with sealed edges at walkthrough. Box assessment confirmed all 17 boxes structurally sound with no moisture damage. Crown molding added to upper cabinet run (approximately 28 lineal feet). Hardware selected from physical samples brought to the kitchen.
Location Context: City of Pembroke Pines Building Division. Silver Lakes HOA — strict contractor access hours (8am–5pm Monday–Friday).
Investment Range: $9,600–$11,200 | Timeline: 5 days
Difficulty Factors — Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
What makes cabinet refacing technically harder in South Florida than in most other U.S. markets.
- Humidity and Veneer Adhesion Chemistry:
Contact cement performance degrades above 80% relative humidity. South Florida summers regularly reach 85–90% RH. Veneer application must be scheduled during morning hours or in climate-controlled conditions. Water-based cement is categorically inappropriate for this climate. - Box Condition Assessment in 1985–2005 Homes:
Pressed-wood and particleboard cabinet boxes from this era are susceptible to moisture swelling in sink and dishwasher positions. No refacing scope can proceed without confirming box structural integrity first. An honest pre-demo assessment is not a selling point — it is the baseline requirement for any scope that will last more than 24 months. - Door Overlay Precision on 1990s Face-Frame Kitchens:
Full-overlay doors demand ±1/16″ accuracy on reveal lines across 20–30 cabinet doors. Cumulative error across a full run is visible and uncorrectable without re-ordering. Measurement must be taken from physical box geometry with existing doors removed, not estimated from a closed-door visual check. - Corner Cabinet and Blind Corner Veneer Transitions:
Blind corner and lazy susan cabinets require custom veneer cuts that cannot be templated until existing doors are removed. These transitions add hidden time to the veneer phase and are a common source of schedule slippage on poorly planned South Florida refacing jobs.
Who Needs Cabinet Refacing
Mid-Budget Homeowners in Coral Springs and Pembroke Pines
Getting a full kitchen update without full replacement cost. Typical home in Ramblewood 33071 or Silver Lakes 33029 has 20–35 cabinet doors and structurally sound 1990s face-frame boxes. Painted-MDF shaker doors, full veneer, and soft-close hardware produces a near-new kitchen appearance at 40–60% of replacement cost.
Pre-Sale Sellers in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach
Updating worn 1990s laminate and thermofoil before listing. A full reface with new hardware and a coordinated countertop swap produces a buyer-ready kitchen at 30–40% of full replacement cost. Strong return in the Boynton Beach and Delray Beach mid-tier market, where kitchen presentation drives perceived value ahead of offer submission.
Condo Owners in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale
Unable to execute full demolition-and-replace in buildings with strict construction noise hours or HOA approval requirements. Refacing in 3–5 days with no structural demo minimizes neighbor disruption, satisfies condo board contractor hour limitations, and delivers the visual result without a lengthy approval process.
Investors and Landlords in West Palm Beach and Pompano Beach
Fast, cost-efficient kitchen refresh between tenants or ahead of a flip closing. Stock RTF or painted-MDF white shaker doors, uniform hardware, 3–4 day turnaround. Standard ROI scope for the mixed-income West Palm Beach and Pompano Beach rental markets, where a clean, updated kitchen is the primary driver of reduced vacancy time.
Materials & Methods — Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
Doors — RTF (Rigid Thermofoil) over MDF Core
Best-performing budget option for South Florida interior positions away from heat sources. RTF is heat-formed over an MDF core producing a seamless surface without edge-banding joints. Suitable for positions away from dishwasher exhaust and range proximity. Available in shaker, flat panel, and recessed profiles. Stock profiles: 5–10 business days lead time.
Doors — Painted-MDF (Factory-Baked Finish)
Required specification for dishwasher-adjacent runs and high-humidity positions. Factory primer and topcoat baked at controlled temperature produces a harder, more moisture-resistant surface than field-painted doors. Sealed edges prevent moisture ingress at the door perimeter. Semi-custom lead time: 2–3 weeks from regional Doral and Miami suppliers.
Veneer — RTF Sheet or Wood Veneer on Paper Backing
RTF veneer sheet applied with solvent-based contact cement to face frames and exposed end panels. Appropriate for standard South Florida humidity exposure. Wood veneer on paper backing: more authentic grain appearance, better heat performance at exposed positions. Both options trimmed flush, seamed at corners, and rolled for full adhesion.
Hinges — Soft-Close European Three-Way Adjustable
80,000+ cycle rating. Three-way adjustable for gap, overlay, and height — every door re-aligned after hanging. Replaced on all doors during refacing regardless of existing hinge condition. For coastal properties within one mile of the ocean: marine-grade or stainless-finish corrosion-resistant hinges available and recommended.
Drawer Slides — Full-Extension Soft-Close Undermount
Undermount preferred over side-mount for cleaner appearance and better load rating. Full extension provides complete drawer interior access. Replaced on every drawer during refacing. Rated 75–100 lb depending on drawer box depth — confirmed against drawer weight at the time of specification.
Cities We Serve
Henry Remodeling serves homeowners, investors, and condo owners across South Florida for cabinet refacing. Each city has distinct permit requirements, HOA constraints, box-condition profiles, and climate factors that shape every project scope and timeline.
Boca Raton, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Retirees, seasonal residents, investors
Climate factors: High humidity + salt air → mold and hardware corrosion. Sandy soil with some settling.
Permit authority: City of Boca Raton Building Division – strict permitting, condo approvals required
Neighborhoods we work in: East Boca 33432 luxury coastal homes (marine-grade hardware required); Boca West gated community (HOA delays, high finish expectations)
Boynton Beach, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Landlords, mid-income homeowners, pre-sale sellers
Climate factors: Humidity + storms → repeated repaint cycles. Sandy soil with drainage variance.
Permit authority: City of Boynton Beach Building Division – moderate permitting, faster approvals
Neighborhoods we work in: Leisureville 33426 older face-frame boxes (1985–2000 particleboard common); Canyon Isles 33473 newer stock with better substrates
Coral Springs, Florida — Broward County
Who hires: Families, move-up buyers
Climate factors: Heavy rain → water intrusion risk. Sandy/limestone base with minor settling.
Permit authority: City of Coral Springs Building Division – efficient permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Ramblewood 33071 older 1990s face-frame boxes; Eagle Trace 33065 HOA-governed community
Deerfield Beach, Florida — Broward County
Who hires: Retirees, landlords
Climate factors: Salt air + humidity. Sandy soil with direct coastal exposure.
Permit authority: City of Deerfield Beach Building Division – moderate permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: The Cove 33441 coastal homes (salt damage on hardware); Century Village 33442 condo HOA with strict contractor access hours
Delray Beach, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Investors, affluent buyers, pre-sale sellers
Climate factors: Humidity, storm exposure. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: City of Delray Beach Building Division – strict in historic areas
Neighborhoods we work in: Lake Ida 33444 older homes requiring full scopes; Atlantic Avenue area with higher finish expectations
Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Broward County
Who hires: Investors, developers, condo owners
Climate factors: Flooding + humidity. Sandy soil, flood zone exposure in many areas.
Permit authority: City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division – slower permitting overall
Neighborhoods we work in: Las Olas 33301 luxury finishes; Victoria Park 33304 older homes with active renovation cycles
Greenacres, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Budget homeowners
Climate factors: Humidity. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: City of Greenacres Building Division – straightforward permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Buttonwood 33463 older homes with budget-conscious scopes; River Bridge 33413 with some HOA constraints
Jupiter, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Affluent homeowners
Climate factors: Coastal humidity. Sandy soil in beachside areas.
Permit authority: Town of Jupiter Building Department – moderate permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Abacoa 33458 HOA-strict planned community (high finish expectations); Jupiter Farms 33478 rural access logistics
Lake Worth Beach, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Investors, landlords
Climate factors: Humidity. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: City of Lake Worth Beach Building Division – moderate permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Downtown 33460 historic homes with mid-century cabinet stock; College Park with historic constraints on structural changes
Lantana, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Retirees
Climate factors: Salt air. Sandy soil with coastal exposure.
Permit authority: Town of Lantana Building Department – smaller jurisdiction, manageable permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Old Lantana 33462 older homes (salt damage on hardware); waterfront condos 33480 with HOA contractor access restrictions
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Affluent homeowners
Climate factors: Humidity. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: City of Palm Beach Gardens Building Division – structured permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: PGA National 33418 gated community (HOA strict, high finish expectations); Legacy and newer homes 33410 with full remodel demand
Pembroke Pines, Florida — Broward County
Who hires: Families
Climate factors: Rain, humidity. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: City of Pembroke Pines Building Division – efficient permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Silver Lakes 33029 HOA-governed (strict contractor access rules); Pembroke Lakes 33026 older homes with 1990s cabinetry
Pompano Beach, Florida — Broward County
Who hires: Investors
Climate factors: Salt + humidity. Sandy soil with coastal exposure.
Permit authority: City of Pompano Beach Building Division – improving permit systems
Neighborhoods we work in: Beachside 33062 condos (salt damage requiring marine hardware); Highlands 33064 older homes with active renovation activity
Wellington, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Affluent families
Climate factors: Humidity. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: Village of Wellington Building Department – organized permitting
Neighborhoods we work in: Equestrian 33414 estates (high finish expectations, HOA strict); Olympia 33414 HOA-governed community
West Palm Beach, Florida — Palm Beach County
Who hires: Investors, residents
Climate factors: Humidity, flooding. Sandy soil.
Permit authority: City of West Palm Beach Building Division – busy, delays common
Neighborhoods we work in: El Cid 33401 historic district (permit delays, high-end finishes); downtown condos 33401 with condo board coordination
What Our Clients Say
“They explained exactly why the cabinet run next to my dishwasher needed painted-MDF instead of RTF. Two and a half years later, zero delamination. The rest of the RTF doors look exactly the same.”
— Homeowner, Boynton Beach FL
“Written estimate, production timeline on paper, and physical door samples brought to my kitchen before anything was ordered. The shaker profile in warm white is exactly what I saw in the sample. No surprises at all.”
— Homeowner, Delray Beach FL
“One lower cabinet had water damage under the old veneer. They photographed it, showed me before proceeding, and replaced it within the project at the quoted add-on price. That transparency is rare.”
— Homeowner, Boca Raton FL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cabinet refacing and what does it include?
Cabinet refacing replaces doors, drawer fronts, and exposed veneer on existing cabinet boxes while leaving the boxes in place. Henry Remodeling replaces all hinges with three-way adjustable soft-close European hinges (80,000+ cycle rated) and all drawer slides with full-extension soft-close undermount slides on every scope, and applies veneer to all visible face frames and exposed end panels using solvent-based contact cement.
How much does cabinet refacing cost in South Florida in 2026?
RTF door-only replacement for a 10–14 door kitchen starts at $3,500. A full reface with painted-MDF shaker doors, complete veneer, and soft-close hardware on a 15–22 door kitchen runs $5,500–$9,500. Full reface with crown molding and premium hardware: $7,000–$12,000. Bathroom vanity refacing: $800–$2,400. Written estimate provided before any work begins.
What is RTF (Rigid Thermofoil) and is it appropriate for South Florida kitchens?
RTF (Rigid Thermofoil) is a heat-formed vinyl film over an MDF core — an improvement over standard thermofoil wrap, which is glued flat and prone to edge separation. RTF’s seamless heat-formed surface resists moisture ingress better than standard thermofoil. However, RTF should not be specified for doors within 18 inches of a dishwasher vent or 24 inches of a range in South Florida’s climate. Factory-baked painted-MDF with sealed edges is the correct specification for heat-exposed positions.
How long does cabinet refacing take in South Florida?
2–3 days for a small kitchen with stock RTF doors in clean condition. 3–5 days for a standard full reface with semi-custom doors and complete veneer work. 2–3 weeks when condo HOA building coordination, semi-custom door lead time from regional suppliers, or box damage repairs are involved. Lead time and scheduling are confirmed before any materials are ordered.
Do I need a permit for cabinet refacing in South Florida?
No. Cabinet refacing involves no structural changes, plumbing, or electrical work and is not a permitted scope in Palm Beach County or Broward County. However, if any element of the scope requires structural modification, Henry Remodeling provides specialized installation services working under the umbrella of state-licensed General Contractors, and our licensed GC partners manage any required permits and structural work.
Should I reface or replace my kitchen cabinets?
Reface when: boxes are plumb, square, structurally sound, and the layout functions correctly for your kitchen workflow. Replace when: boxes have significant water damage, the layout needs to change, you want a configuration modification, or more than 30% of box surfaces are compromised. Henry Remodeling assesses box condition at every walkthrough and recommends the correct scope — refacing is not the right answer for every kitchen.
What causes cabinet refacing to fail in South Florida?
Three failure modes account for most South Florida refacing callbacks: (1) RTF or standard thermofoil edge delamination caused by dishwasher steam — prevented by specifying painted-MDF for heat-proximate positions; (2) veneer adhesion failure on water-damaged or inadequately prepped box sides — prevented by documented pre-demo box condition assessment; (3) hinge corrosion in coastal properties — prevented by specifying marine-grade or stainless-finish hinges at material selection.
What cities does Henry Remodeling serve for cabinet refacing?
Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Lantana, Deerfield Beach, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Wellington, Pembroke Pines, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter — all 15 cities across Palm Beach and Broward County.
Summary — Cabinet Refacing in South Florida
Henry Remodeling — Cabinet Refacing Summary
Service: Kitchen and bathroom cabinet refacing in South Florida (Palm Beach & Broward Counties)
Cost Range: $3,500–$12,000+ depending on door count, material (RTF vs. painted-MDF vs. solid wood), veneer scope, and molding
Timeline: Best case 2–3 days | Typical 3–5 days | With HOA coordination or material lead time: 2–3 weeks
Material Note: RTF and painted-MDF doors specified by cabinet position — painted-MDF required for dishwasher-adjacent runs in South Florida’s climate; not a single blanket specification
South Florida–Specific: Chronic coastal humidity requires solvent-based veneer cement, corrosion-resistant hardware in coastal ZIP codes, and documented box-condition assessment before scope commitment — particularly critical in 1985–2005 particleboard-box kitchens
Service Area: Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Greenacres, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Palm Beach Gardens, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Wellington, West Palm Beach
Start Your Cabinet Refacing Project
Written estimates, correct material specification, and RTF or painted-MDF doors chosen for your specific South Florida kitchen by position. Call (305) XXX-XXXX or request a free estimate online.