What to look for in the best cabinet refacing company in Chicago
Every contractor says they do quality work. Here are the specifics behind ours, so you can compare us point by point with anyone else you’re considering.
Judge us on specifics, not slogans
If you’re searching for the best cabinet refacing company in Chicago, the useful questions are practical ones. Who measures your kitchen? What are the doors made of? How many days will a crew be in your house, and what does the warranty cover in writing?
This page answers those questions for Refacello. We’d rather you hold us to concrete standards than take a superlative on faith, and we think the answers make a good case on their own.
Bring the same questions to every company you talk to. A good refacing contractor will answer them plainly, in writing, before you sign anything.
Six reasons homeowners choose Refacello
-
A five-step process
Free consultation and quote, precision measure, doors made to order, installation in 3–5 days, final walk-through. Every project follows the same refacing process, so you always know what comes next.
-
Materials you choose in person
Rigid thermofoil (RTF), real wood veneer in maple, cherry, oak or walnut, and painted finishes, in Shaker, raised panel or flat panel door styles. Dozens of colors and stains.
-
A warranty in writing
A lifetime limited warranty on doors and drawer fronts for the original homeowner, plus a 5-year workmanship warranty. We’re licensed and insured.
-
Four places to see it first
Our Wood Dale design center and showrooms in St. Charles, Madison and New Berlin let you open doors, compare finishes and handle hardware before you commit.
-
Crews dedicated to refacing
Our installers spend their weeks fitting veneer, hanging doors and aligning drawer fronts. That repetition shows in tight seams and even gaps.
-
A clean job site, every day
Floors and counters are covered while we work, and the area is cleaned before the crew leaves each day. There’s no demolition, so your kitchen stays mostly usable.
What you get in writing before you sign
Specifics you can check against any other quote.
Your itemized quote lists
- Door style, material and finish or stain color
- Veneer for face frames and end panels
- Hinges, pulls and knobs
- Options such as soft-close glides, pull-outs, crown molding or lighting
- Countertops, backsplash or sink work, if included
- Installation
Your warranty covers
- Doors and drawer fronts for life (limited), for the original homeowner
- Workmanship for 5 years after installation
- Work by a licensed and insured company
Your installation includes
- Floor and counter protection from the first hour
- Daily cleanup of the work area
- Sink and appliances left connected unless countertops are replaced
- A final walk-through with your project manager
Refacing vs. painting vs. replacing your cabinets
Three common ways to update kitchen cabinets, compared on what matters day to day.
| Refacello refacing | Painting cabinets | Full replacement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What changes | New doors, drawer fronts, hinges and hardware; frames and end panels covered in new veneer | Existing surfaces are cleaned, sanded and coated | Boxes, doors and usually countertops are torn out and replaced |
| Door style | Any style: Shaker, raised panel or flat panel | Stays the same | Any style |
| Materials | RTF, real wood veneer or painted finish | Paint over existing wood or laminate | New cabinets in the material you choose |
| Hinges and soft-close | New hinges; soft-close available | Usually reused | New |
| Demolition | None | None | Full tear-out |
| Time in your kitchen | 3–5 days for a typical kitchen | Varies; doors are often away for drying and curing | Several weeks, including demolition |
| Typical cost | 30–50% less than comparable new cabinets | Usually the lowest upfront cost | Highest of the three |
| Warranty | Lifetime limited on doors and drawer fronts; 5-year workmanship | Depends on the painter | Depends on the manufacturer and installer |
General comparison. Painting can suit solid wood doors in a style you still like; your designer can talk through what fits your kitchen. See also refacing vs. replacing cabinets.
Check our work for yourself
Photos, process and products, all in one place.
Choosing a cabinet refacing company
Have a question we didn’t answer? Call (630) 555-0140 or send us a note.
How do I choose a cabinet refacing company in Chicago?
Ask each company for a written, itemized quote, what the doors and veneer are made of, who does the installation, and what the warranty covers in writing. Seeing samples in a showroom helps too. Compare the answers line by line, not just the totals.
Are my cabinets good candidates for refacing?
Most are, as long as the boxes are structurally sound and free of serious water damage or warping. Your designer checks this at the consultation and will tell you plainly if refacing isn’t a good fit.
What does your warranty cover?
Doors and drawer fronts carry a lifetime limited warranty for the original homeowner. Our workmanship is covered for 5 years after installation.
How long will my kitchen be out of commission?
A typical kitchen takes 3–5 days to install. There’s no demolition, so the kitchen stays mostly usable, and your sink and appliances stay connected unless countertops are being replaced.
Can I see doors and finishes before I decide?
Yes. Your designer brings door samples, finish swatches and hardware to the consultation, and you can visit our showrooms in Wood Dale, St. Charles, Madison or New Berlin. Contact us to book a visit.
Will I be pressured to sign at the consultation?
No. Your designer leaves a written quote with you, often the same day, and you decide on your own schedule.
See your kitchen with new doors before you commit
A designer comes to your home with door samples, finishes and hardware, measures your cabinets and leaves a written, itemized quote. It’s free, and there’s no pressure to decide that day.
- Tell us a little about your kitchen
- Pick a time for your in-home design visit
- New doors installed in 3–5 days