Costs: How Much Are Replacement Kitchen Cupboard Doors Guide

Replacing kitchen cupboard doors is a popular way to refresh your kitchen’s look without the high cost of a full renovation. So, how much are replacement kitchen cupboard doors? The price replace kitchen unit doors can range widely, typically falling between £20 and £100+ per door, depending on material, style, size, and finish. This average cost kitchen doors covers just the door itself; total costs will also include items like hinges, handles, and possibly fitting labour, leading to a potential project cost from a few hundred pounds for a small DIY job up to several thousand for a large, complex project with professional installation.

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Why Change Just the Doors?

Giving your kitchen a new look does not always mean ripping everything out. Replacing only the cupboard doors is a smart way to update the space. It saves you time and money. The main structures, called carcasses, are often still in good shape. They might just need a fresh face.

• Save Money: It costs much less than a new kitchen.
• Less Hassle: The work is quicker and cleaner. You can still use your kitchen during the change.
• Be Green: You reuse the old cabinets. This creates less waste.
• Quick Change: You can get a whole new style fast.

This is often part of a cabinet refacing cost project. In refacing, you change the doors, drawer fronts, and sometimes cover the cabinet frames.

What Affects the Price?

Many things change the cost of new kitchen cupboard fronts. Knowing these helps you plan your budget.

Interpreting Different Materials

The stuff the doors are made from is a big cost factor.

• Melamine-faced chipboard (MFC): This is often the cheapest. It’s wood chips pressed with resin, covered by a paper layer with a pattern, sealed with melamine. It’s simple and durable. Good for rental homes or tight budgets.
• Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF): MDF is wood fibres pressed hard. It’s smooth. Good for painting or wrapping. It costs a bit more than MFC. Many styles use MDF.
• Vinyl Wrapped MDF: This is MDF wrapped in a layer of vinyl. It can look like wood or other finishes. It is very popular. Vinyl wrapped kitchen door prices are mid-range. They are easy to clean but can lift over time, especially near heat sources like ovens.
• Laminate: Layers of paper pressed with resin, stuck onto chipboard or MDF. It is tough and lasts long. It costs more than vinyl wrap.
• Solid Wood: Real wood doors are costly. They look great and can be sanded and painted again later. But wood can change shape with heat or wetness. Styles like oak or walnut cost more than pine.
• Wood Veneer: A thin layer of real wood over chipboard or MDF. It looks like solid wood but costs less. It gives a natural look without the high price.
• Acrylic: A plastic finish on MDF. It gives a modern, high-gloss look. It is hard-wearing and easy to clean. Costs can be high.
• Painted: Doors can be painted MDF or wood. The cost depends on the base door and the paint finish quality.

Grasping Different Styles

The design of the door also changes the price.

• Flat Panel: These are simple, flat doors. They are often the cheapest. Good for modern or minimalist looks.
• Shaker: Shaker kitchen door cost is very common. These doors have a flat centre panel with a raised frame around it. They work in many kitchens, from modern to traditional. They cost more than flat panels because of the extra work.
• Raised Panel: These doors have a centre panel that is thicker than the frame. They give a traditional, detailed look. They cost more than flat or shaker doors.
• In-frame: The door sits inside a frame built onto the cabinet front. This is a classic, high-end look. It is usually the most expensive style. It needs careful fitting.

Size and Shape

Bigger doors use more material. Special shapes or sizes cost more too. If your cabinets are not standard sizes, you might need custom kitchen door prices. These cost more because they are made just for you.

Finish Quality

The way the door is finished matters.

• Matt vs. Gloss: High gloss finishes often cost more than matt ones.
• Texture: Some finishes have a wood grain or other texture. This can add to the price.
• Durability: Tougher finishes that resist scratches or fading might cost more upfront but last longer.

Custom vs. Standard

Standard sizes cost less. Factories make many of them at once. If you need a door made to a special size or colour, it costs more. Custom kitchen door prices reflect the unique work.

Brand Name

Well-known brands might cost more. They often offer good quality and a wider range of choices. But less known brands or local makers can offer good value too.

Where You Buy Them

Prices vary based on where you shop.

• DIY Stores: Often have standard sizes and basic styles. Prices can be low to mid.
• Online Retailers: Wide range of options. Prices can be competitive. You measure and fit yourself or hire someone.
• Kitchen Showrooms: Offer custom options and design help. Prices are usually higher.
• Local Joiners/Cabinet Makers: Can make custom doors. Quality is often high. Prices vary greatly based on their skill and materials.

Typical Cost Ranges by Material/Type

Let’s look at some price ranges per door. These are rough guides. Prices change based on size and where you buy.

Material/Type	Typical Cost Per Door (£)	Notes
MFC (Melamine)	£20 – £40	Basic, durable. Limited styles/colours.
MDF (Painted)	£30 – £70	Smooth base for painting.
Vinyl Wrapped MDF	£35 – £60	Popular, many colours/finishes. Can peel.
Laminate	£40 – £80	Very durable, hard-wearing.
Wood Veneer	£50 – £100+	Looks like real wood, lower cost than solid.
Solid Wood (Pine)	£60 – £120+	Natural look, paintable. Softer wood.
Solid Wood (Oak/Maple)	£80 – £150+	Hard-wearing, classic look. Costly.
Acrylic (High Gloss)	£70 – £150+	Modern, very shiny. Scratch resistant.
In-frame (Any Material)	£100 – £200+	Higher labour cost, classic look.

Note: These prices are for the door panel only. They do not include hinges, handles, or fitting.

Cost Based on Style

The style adds to the price.

• Flat Panel: Often the base price for a material. E.g., £30 for painted MDF flat.
• Shaker: Adds £5-£20+ per door depending on material and detail. Shaker kitchen door cost for painted MDF might be £40-£80.
• Raised Panel: Adds £10-£30+ per door.
• In-frame: This style affects the whole cabinet front, not just the door. The doors themselves might be a style like shaker or flat, but the frame adds significant cost and labour. Price replace kitchen unit doors for in-frame can be much higher per unit.

DIY vs. Professional Fitting

You have two main choices for putting the doors on.

DIY Kitchen Door Replacement Cost

If you fit the doors yourself, your DIY kitchen door replacement cost is mainly the price of the doors, hinges, and handles.

• Doors: As above (£20 – £200+ each).
• Hinges: Around £2 – £5 per hinge. Most doors need two hinges. Some tall ones need three.
• Handles/Knobs: From £1 to £20+ each. This depends a lot on style and material (simple metal knob vs. designer pull).
• Tools: Screwdriver, spirit level, drill might be needed. You probably own these already.

Pros of DIY:
* Lowest cost.
* You can work on your own time.

Cons of DIY:
* Needs basic skills and tools.
* Takes your time.
* Errors can happen (doors not straight, gaps).

Labour Cost Fit Cabinet Doors

Hiring a pro adds labour cost fit cabinet doors. This can be a kitchen fitter, carpenter, or handyman.

• Hourly Rate: Fitters might charge £20 – £40+ per hour.
• Day Rate: Or £150 – £300+ per day.
• Per Door: Some might quote per door, perhaps £15 – £30 per door to remove the old one and hang the new one, including adjusting hinges.

The total labour cost depends on how many doors you have. A small kitchen might take a few hours. A large one could take a day or more.

Example Labour Cost:
A kitchen with 15 doors:
* Hourly: 4-6 hours work @ £30/hr = £120 – £180
* Per Door: 15 doors @ £20/door = £300

Labour cost fit cabinet doors can add £150 to £500+ to the total project.

Pros of Hiring:
* Professional finish.
* Faster work.
* Less stress for you.
* They fix any issues.

Cons of Hiring:
* Adds significant cost.
* You need to schedule them.

Other Costs to Think About

Replacing doors often involves more than just the doors themselves.

• Drawer Fronts: These are like mini-doors. Price is similar per front, maybe slightly less than a full door.
• Hinges: As mentioned, new hinges are often needed, especially if changing door style or size.
• Handles/Knobs: Almost always changed to match the new doors. The price range is huge.
• Plinths/Kickboards: These are the panels at the bottom, covering the cabinet legs. New plinths matching the doors make the look complete. They cost from £10 to £30+ per metre.
• End Panels: These are panels fitted to the visible sides of the cabinets at the end of a run or island. They cover the cabinet side material. Matching these to the new doors is key for a high-end look. They cost from £20 to £100+ each, depending on size and material.
• Cornice and Pelmet: These are decorative trims at the top and bottom of wall cabinets. Changing these updates the whole upper part of the kitchen. Cost is per metre, £10 to £50+.
• Delivery: If buying online, add delivery costs. This varies by size and weight.
• Old Door Removal: You might need to take the old doors to a waste centre. This could cost a small fee or use up your time and transport.

Cost new kitchen cupboard fronts often includes planning for these other items.

Estimating Your Total Cost

To get a clear idea of your potential spending, make a list:

1. Count every door and drawer front.
2. Note the size of each (width x height).
3. Decide on your preferred material and style (e.g., vinyl wrapped shaker, painted flat).
4. Count how many hinges you need (usually two per door).
5. Count how many handles/knobs you need (one per door/drawer).
6. Measure the total length of plinth needed.
7. Count end panels, cornice, pelmet if you are changing them.
8. Decide if you will DIY or hire a fitter.

Use a kitchen cabinet replacement cost estimator found on some supplier websites. Or build your own simple estimate:

(Number of Doors x Door Price) + (Number of Drawer Fronts x Drawer Front Price) + (Number of Hinges x Hinge Price) + (Number of Handles x Handle Price) + (Length of Plinth x Plinth Price) + (Number of End Panels x End Panel Price) + (Labour Cost if Hiring) = Total Estimated Cost.

Example Estimate (Medium-sized kitchen, 15 doors, 5 drawer fronts, vinyl wrapped shaker style, DIY):

• 15 Doors x £45/door = £675
• 5 Drawer Fronts x £40/front = £200
• 30 Hinges (2 per door) x £3/hinge = £90
• 20 Handles (15 doors + 5 drawers) x £5/handle = £100
• 8m Plinth x £20/m = £160
• 2 End Panels x £50/panel = £100
• DIY Total Estimated Cost: £675 + £200 + £90 + £100 + £160 + £100 = £1325

Example Estimate (Same kitchen, Pro fitting):

• Doors, fronts, hinges, handles, plinths, panels: £1325 (as above)
• Labour cost fit cabinet doors (Estimate): £300
• Pro Fit Total Estimated Cost: £1325 + £300 = £1625

These are just examples. Your actual costs will vary.

Comparing Replacement Doors to Refacing vs. New Cabinets

Let’s put replacement doors in context with other options.

Cabinet Refacing Cost

Cabinet refacing cost involves more than just doors. You replace doors and drawer fronts. You also cover the existing cabinet frames with a new material (veneer, laminate, or thermofoil).

• What you change: Doors, drawer fronts, cabinet fronts (veneer/wrap).
• Cost: More than just doors, less than a full new kitchen. A kitchen refacing job might cost from £1,500 to £7,000+. Price varies greatly by kitchen size and materials.
• Benefit: Gives a very similar look to a new kitchen. Covers tired cabinet frames.

Replacing just the doors is a part of refacing, but refacing is a bigger job. If your cabinet frames look good, just replacing doors is enough. If the frames are scratched or a bad colour, refacing covers them.

Full Kitchen Cabinet Replacement Cost

This means taking out all the old cabinets and putting in new ones.

• What you change: Everything – cabinets, doors, drawers.
• Cost: The most expensive option. Can range from £5,000 for a small budget kitchen to £25,000+ for a large, high-end one.
• Benefit: You can change the layout of the kitchen. You get all-new cabinets, maybe with better storage features.

A kitchen cabinet replacement cost estimator for a full kitchen will give much higher numbers.

Summary of Options (Lowest to Highest Cost):

1. Replacing Doors Only: Cheapest, quickest update. Assumes cabinet frames are fine.
2. Cabinet Refacing: Mid-range cost and time. Updates doors and covers frames.
3. Full Cabinet Replacement: Most expensive, most time. Allows layout change.

Choosing Your Doors Wisely

Think about how you use your kitchen.

• Busy Family Kitchen: You need tough, easy-to-clean doors. Laminate or good quality vinyl wrap is good. Solid wood is durable but needs care. High gloss shows marks easily.
• Show Kitchen (Less Use): You might choose style over extreme toughness. Paint finishes or real wood might be options.
• Rental Property: Durability and low cost are key. MFC or basic vinyl wrap work well.

Also, think about light. High gloss doors reflect light well and can make a small kitchen look bigger and brighter. Matt finishes give a softer, more modern look.

Getting Quotes

Once you know what you want, get quotes.

• Contact several suppliers (online, local shops).
• Give them your list of door sizes and types.
• Ask if hinges and handles are included or extra.
• Ask for prices for plinths, end panels, etc.
• If hiring a fitter, get quotes from a few. Ask for their hourly, daily, or per-door rate. Check if they have done this work before.

Don’t just pick the cheapest quote. Look at the quality of the doors offered. Read reviews of the supplier or fitter.

Tips for Saving Money

Want to lower your cost?

• DIY: Fit the doors yourself if you feel able. This saves the labour cost fit cabinet doors.
• Basic Materials: Choose MFC, MDF, or vinyl wrap over solid wood or acrylic.
• Simple Style: Flat panel doors cost less than shaker or raised panel.
• Standard Sizes: Buy standard sizes if your cabinets fit them. Custom costs more.
• Shop Around: Get quotes from different places. Prices vary a lot.
• Keep Old Hinges/Handles: If your old hinges work and your new doors fit them, reuse them. Keep your old handles if they will look okay or if you can clean them up.
• Paint Existing Doors: If your current doors are a paintable material (like solid wood or good quality MDF), cleaning and repainting them is even cheaper than buying new ones. This needs time and effort but can look great.
• Phase the Work: If budget is tight, you could just replace the most visible doors first, then do the rest later.

Potential Issues

Be aware of possible problems:

• Size Mistakes: Measure carefully! Doors ordered in the wrong size cost you money and time to fix. Measure multiple times.
• Colour Match: If ordering different parts (doors, panels, plinths) from different batches or suppliers, colours might not match perfectly. Order everything from one place at the same time if possible.
• Hinge Alignment: Fitting new doors means setting up hinges. This needs care to make sure doors hang straight and close properly.
• Damage: New doors can get scratched or chipped during fitting. Be careful when handling them.
• Cabinet Problems: Sometimes, when you take old doors off, you find issues with the cabinets themselves (loose parts, water damage). These might need fixing, adding cost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does it take to replace kitchen cupboard doors?

For a DIY person, replacing doors in a small kitchen might take a weekend. A larger kitchen could take several days. A professional fitter can often do a medium to large kitchen in one to two days.

Can I replace just one or two damaged doors?

Yes, absolutely. If only a few doors are damaged or worn, you can often order replacements just for those. You’ll need to know the original supplier, style, and colour, or be prepared for a slight colour difference if you order from a new place.

Are replacement doors a standard size?

Kitchen cabinets often come in standard widths (like 30cm, 40cm, 50cm, 60cm, etc.) and standard heights. Door sizes match these. However, older kitchens or custom units might have non-standard sizes. You need to measure your existing doors carefully.

Do replacement doors come pre-drilled for hinges?

Some suppliers offer pre-drilling for hinges. This makes DIY fitting much easier. You need to tell them which side the hinges are on and how far from the top/bottom they are. If they are not pre-drilled, you need a jig and a drill bit to do it yourself, which requires more skill.

What is the difference between vinyl wrap and laminate doors?

Both are layers over MDF or chipboard. Vinyl wrap is a plastic film that is often vacuum-pressed onto the door shape, allowing for detailed profiles (like shaker). Laminate is a harder, more rigid material (layers of paper and resin) pressed flat onto the board. Laminate is usually tougher and more heat resistant, but vinyl wrap offers more design flexibility. Vinyl wrapped kitchen door prices can be slightly lower than laminate.

Can I change my handle type (e.g., from knobs to pulls)?

Yes. If you are buying new doors, you can choose any handle type. You just need to drill the correct holes in the new doors before fitting. If you are keeping your old doors and adding new handles, check if the new handles cover the holes from the old ones.

Is it worth getting a kitchen cabinet replacement cost estimator online?

Yes, using an online estimator can give you a rough idea of costs based on the number of units. However, for a detailed and accurate quote, especially if you have non-standard sizes or specific finish needs, it’s best to get quotes from suppliers based on your exact measurements and choices.

Conclusion

Replacing your kitchen cupboard doors is a cost-effective and relatively quick way to give your kitchen a fresh look. The cost depends on the materials, style, size, and whether you fit them yourself or hire a professional.

With careful planning, measuring, and shopping around, you can find options that fit your budget and style. Getting new doors, drawer fronts, plinths, and handles can make your old cabinets look brand new, significantly improving your kitchen without the major expense and disruption of a full renovation.