Most homeowners hear “kitchen remodel” and brace themselves. Weeks without a functioning kitchen. Contractors in and out every day. Dust on every surface. Eating out until the job is finally done.
Cabinet refacing isn’t that — and for a lot of St. Louis homeowners, discovering how different the process actually is changes everything about how they think about updating their kitchen.
The Short Version: 3-5 Days, Kitchen Still Usable
Most kitchen refacing projects by Cabinet Coverup are completed in just three to five days. The cabinet boxes stay exactly where they are. What changes is everything you see: the doors, the drawer fronts, and the exterior veneer on the cabinet frames. On most days throughout the project, your kitchen stays usable for evening meals. No dumpster. No demo crew. Just a focused, efficient team and a completely transformed kitchen at the end of the week.
What the Process Actually Looks Like
Day 1 — Prep and Door Removal: The team removes all cabinet doors and drawer fronts and prepares the existing surfaces for new veneer.
Days 2-3 — Veneer Application: Solid hardwood veneer (Cabinet Coverup uses real 1/4″ hardwood, not peel-and-stick laminates) is applied to the face frames of every cabinet box.
Days 3-4 — New Doors and Drawer Fronts: New solid hardwood doors and drawer fronts are hung and adjusted. Hardware is installed. This is when most homeowners have their first real “wow” reaction.
Day 5 — Finishing Touches and Cleanup: Crown molding, trim, and accent details are added. The team does a complete cleanup, leaving the kitchen cleaner than they found it.
Want to see photos from an actual project? Check out the Cabinet Coverup refacing process page for a visual walkthrough from start to finish.
Why the Timeline Is So Much Shorter Than Replacement
Full cabinet replacement requires tearing out existing cabinets, patching walls, dealing with plumbing and electrical, and installing entirely new boxes — a process that can take two to three weeks. Refacing skips all of that. The structure stays. The disruption is minimal. And the result looks exactly the same to anyone who didn’t see your kitchen before.
If you’ve been putting off your kitchen update because you assumed it would mean weeks of chaos, cabinet refacing is worth a closer look. Request a free in-home quote from Cabinet Coverup — no pressure, just an honest conversation about what’s possible for your kitchen.
Cabinet Coverup serves homeowners across the St. Louis area, including Saint Charles, Chesterfield, and Arnold. Call (636) 305-6579 to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cabinet refacing take?
Most kitchen cabinet refacing projects by Cabinet Coverup are completed in three to five days, depending on kitchen size and any additional work like crown molding or countertops.
Can I still use my kitchen while it’s being refaced?
Yes — on most days during the project, your kitchen remains usable for limited evening use. You won’t be completely without a kitchen for the duration of the project.
Is cabinet refacing messy or disruptive?
Cabinet refacing is significantly less disruptive than full cabinet replacement. There’s no demolition, no dumpster, and no structural work involved. The team cleans up thoroughly and leaves the kitchen in good condition each day.
What is cabinet refacing and how does it work?
Cabinet refacing replaces the visible surfaces of your cabinets — doors, drawer fronts, and exterior veneer — while keeping existing cabinet boxes in place. The result looks like a brand-new kitchen at a fraction of the cost of full replacement.