Cabinet Refacing Calgary
Shop-sprayed doors. Masked & sprayed cabinet boxes. A finish that actually holds up.
If your kitchen layout still works and your cabinet boxes are solid, cabinet refacing is one of the fastest ways to get a “new kitchen” look—without the cost and disruption of a full gut renovation.
Elevation Renovations is a small, owner-led Calgary renovation company. We don’t do high-volume, shortcut paint jobs. We do refacing properly: doors and drawer fronts are removed and finished in our shop, then we mask and spray the cabinet box exteriors on-site for a consistent, professional result.
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✔ Itemized, no‑pressure estimates
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At Elevation Renovations, we provide high-quality renovations throughout Calgary, Okotoks, and the Foothills—
without the layers of management, sales staff, and overhead that drive up costs at large renovation companies.
We’re a small, owner-led team. That means the people planning your renovation are the same people overseeing the work.
coordinating trades, and checking the details on site. Fewer handoffs. Clear communication. Better value for your budget.
Our clients appreciate that they’re paying for skilled work and careful planning.
not a showroom, sales commissions, or unnecessary administrative layers.
Owner-led. Calgary-based. Clean process. Clear scope and pricing.
If a full kitchen gut isn't what you need, then check out are kitchen cabinet refacing page
Send a few details and we’ll reply within 1 business day to book a quick 15‑minute call and confirm next steps.
What happens next?
1) We reply within 1 business day
2) Quick 15-minute phone consultation
3) On-site visit + clear, itemized estimate
4) No pressure—you decide how to proceed
5) We respect your time and your home.
What Is Cabinet Refacing in Calgary?
In Calgary, “cabinet refacing” can mean a few different things. Some companies mean new doors and veneer. Others mean cabinet painting.
At Elevation Renovations, our cabinet refacing is best described as cabinet refinishing/resurfacing with a professional spray system:
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Doors and drawer fronts are removed, labeled, and taken to our shop
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We sand or strip as needed, then spray a durable finish
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Back in your home, we mask and spray the exterior cabinet boxes so everything matches
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We reinstall, align, and fine-tune the cabinet doors and drawers for clean reveals and smooth function
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Most clients upgrade handles and/or hinges, and many add crown, risers, or valances for a custom look
If your cabinet boxes are damaged or out of square, or you want a brand-new layout, we’ll tell you upfront—because that’s a different scope.
Not sure if refacing is right? Get an honest assessment.
Is Cabinet Refacing Right for Your Kitchen?
Cabinet refacing is a great fit if:
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Your cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works
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You want a major visual upgrade without demolition
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You want a faster project with less disruption
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You want a sprayed finish (not brush/roller texture)
A full cabinet replacement is usually better if:
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Your cabinet boxes are damaged or not worth saving
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You want to change layout or cabinet footprint (moving sink, appliances, island size)
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You’re already doing major structural or mechanical changes
Bottom line: We’ll guide you to the option that makes sense long-term—not just the option that sells.
See the bigger scope options on Kitchen Renovations Calgary & Okotoks
Our Cabinet Refacing Process (How We Do It)
Quality cabinet refacing comes down to prep, protection, and a finish system that’s built to last.
Step 1—On-Site Prep + Removal
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Protect floors, counters, and appliances
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Remove and label doors and drawer fronts
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Evaluate the cabinet boxes and prep requirements
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Plan the masking/containment for box spraying
Step 2—Shop Prep + Shop Spray (Doors & Drawer Fronts)
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Sanding or stripping as required
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Proper prep so the finish bonds (not a “paint-over” job)
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Shop spraying for consistency, smoother finish, and better durability
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Cure time (rushing this is how finishes fail early)
Step 3—On-Site Masking + Spray Cabinet Box Exteriors
Most kitchens require the exterior boxes to be sprayed too for a uniform finish.
We typically:
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Fully mask countertops, walls, floors, appliances, and adjacent spaces
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Spray cabinet box exteriors to match doors and drawer fronts
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De-mask carefully and reset the space
Step 4—Reinstall + Alignment + Detail Work
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Reinstall doors and drawer fronts
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Fine-tune reveals and alignment
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Install hardware and hinges (if upgrading)
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Touch-ups and final walkthrough
Our Finish System (Built for Real Kitchen Use)
We don’t hide the process, because this is what separates a “cheap cabinet paint job” from a finish that actually holds up.
Typical coating system:
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Resurfacer primer: 2–3 coats (depending on cabinet condition and existing finish)
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High-durability water-based lacquer: 2 coats for a hard-wearing, consistent sprayed finish
Two-Tone / “Glaze” Detail Effect (Optional Upgrade)
For clients who want a more custom look—especially on shaker or raised-panel doors—we can create a two-tone effect using gel stain:
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Gel stain is hand-applied (not sprayed) using cloth
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It adds depth to cracks, crevices, profiles, and panel details
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It’s a premium finish option that requires extra steps and careful application
Popular Upgrades During Cabinet Refacing
Hand-set and finish detail
This is where a refacing project goes from “refreshed” to “custom-looking.”
Handles & Hinges
Many clients upgrade handles and hinges while we’re refacing. One important detail:
If your new hardware uses a different hole pattern, patchwork is required.
That means filling, sanding, refinishing, and re-drilling—so it looks clean and intentional, not like a cover-up.
Crown, Risers, and Valance/Valance Details
We often add finishing trim like:
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Top cabinet risers
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Crown moulding
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Valance/valence under upper cabinets (for a more finished look)
These details can dramatically change the look of the kitchen without touching the layout.
Crown finish and detail options
Cabinet Refacing Cost in Calgary
Cabinet refacing costs vary based on kitchen size, door/drawer count, prep requirements, masking complexity, and finish options.
How We Measure “Per Linear Foot” (So Quotes Make Sense)
We measure linear feet “top to bottom.” That means uppers and lowers combined. If you have taller uppers, long boxes, or an additional small box on top, then it's either the length again divided by 2, as there are only half the main uppers.
Example:
10 ft of uppers + 10 ft of lowers = 20 total linear feet
Rough Budget Guideline (Single Colour + Full Masking)
For full-service cabinet refacing, including:
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door/drawer removal + shop spraying
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full masking
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spraying cabinet box exteriors on-site
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reinstall + alignment
A realistic planning number is:
~$300 per total linear foot (uppers + lowers combined)
Two-Tone Upgrade
If you want a two-tone/gel stain detail effect:
Add ~$100 per total linear foot
Crown / Riser / Valance Pricing
Trim details are typically priced per linear foot of the run being upgraded:
~$15–$30 per linear foot (depending on materials, profile, and complexity)
Hardware Upgrades + Hole Pattern Changes
Hardware cost depends on your selection. If hole patterns change, patchwork is required and will be included in the scope so the finish stays a commercial finish.
It's about $20 a handset for regular box handles and pulls. If you count out your handles, you'll know roughly the cost.
Kitchen cost doesn't need to be complicated, so we break it down for you even further here if you need more clarification on our Kitchen Renovation Cost Calgary page.
Cabinet Refacing Timeline (What to Expect)
01
Day 1: Protect + Remove + Prep Start (On-Site)
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Protect surfaces and set up the work area
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Remove doors and drawer fronts
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Begin prep on cabinet boxes
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Doors/drawers go to the shop
02
Days 2–3: Mask + Spray Cabinet Box Exteriors (On-Site)
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Full masking/containment
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Spray cabinet box exteriors with 2 to 3 coats as required
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De-mask and clean prep space for reinstall of faces and cabinet hardware and doors
03
Days 2–6: Prep + Spray Doors/Drawer Fronts (In-Shop)
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Sand/strip as needed
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Install paint-grade caulking as needed
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Primer system (2–3 coats)
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Topcoat system (2 coats of water-based lacquer)
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Cure time is 3 hours till light use and 3 days for full use.
04
Day 6–10: Reinstall + Adjust + Hardware (On-Site)
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Reinstall doors/drawers
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Align and adjust full kitchen
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Install new handles (if upgrading) post paint 2-3 days
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Install Caulking as needed
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Final walkthrough and touch-ups and cleaning
05
Day 10-15: large kitchens
Larger kitchens/heavy prep/added crown/risers: plan 10–15 business days.
Electrical if anything moved inspection and plate covers as needed.
A tile or microcement backsplash can extend this time as well to 3-4 days.
If you need more clarity on timelines, please check out this quick read to help you: Kitchen Renovation Timeline Calgary
Straight Talk: Most “Refacing” Quotes Aren’t the Same Job
If you’re shopping for the cheapest price, you’ll find it.
But many “cabinet refacing” quotes in Calgary are cheaper because they skip the hard parts:
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minimal prep
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minimal masking
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doors sprayed on-site with dust risk
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cabinet boxes not sprayed (so the kitchen doesn’t match)
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rushed cure time
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sloppy reinstall and alignment
Elevation’s cabinet refacing is for homeowners who want it done properly—with the protection, prep, and finish system that holds up in a real kitchen.
Compare Quotes Properly (Ask These 6 Questions)
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Are the doors/drawer fronts sprayed in a shop or in my home?
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Are you spraying the cabinet box exteriors too—or only the doors?
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Is full masking/containment included?
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Is your $/ft measurement uppers + lowers combined or base-only?
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What primer and topcoat system are you using—and how many coats?
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If hardware hole patterns change, are you patching and refinishing properly?
If a contractor can’t answer these clearly, you’re not comparing prices—you’re comparing different jobs.
Why Work With Elevation Renovations?
We’re a small, owner-led company, and that’s a benefit—not a limitation.
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Direct accountability: You’re not getting handed off to layers of sales and project managers
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Hands-on quality control: Details get caught early, not after installation.
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Clean process: Respect for your home, careful masking, and proper containment
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Clear scope: You’ll know exactly what’s included and what’s optional
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Finish-first mindset: We’d rather do fewer projects correctly than rush volume
If you want it done fast and cheap, we’re not the right fit.
If you want it done properly and you care about the result every single day you walk into your kitchen—you’re in the right place.
Blue Poliform Kitchen, Calgary, 2017
Serving Calgary, Okotoks & Nearby Communities
Cabinet Refacing Service Area
We provide cabinet refacing across Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE, and inner-city).
Not sure if you’re in range? Send your address and a photo of the kitchen—we’ll confirm quickly.
Cabinet Refacing Calgary FAQ
Do you spray the cabinet boxes too?
Most of the time, yes. If you want a uniform finish, the exterior cabinet boxes usually need to be sprayed—this is why masking and containment matter.
Is this “refacing” or “painting”?
It’s best described as cabinet refacing through refinishing/resurfacing: doors removed and shop-sprayed, plus on-site sprayed boxes, then reinstalled and aligned.
Can I change my cabinet style (not just the colour)?
In many cases, yes—depending on your cabinet construction and goals. We’ll confirm what’s realistic during the consultation.
What happens if I change handle styles and the holes don’t line up?
If hole patterns change, patching is required. We’ll patch, refinish, and re-drill so the final result looks clean.
How long will leaving doors off-site affect my kitchen?
Doors and drawer fronts are typically off-site during the shop-spray portion. We’ll explain exactly what to expect and how we keep disruption manageable.
Do I need permits for cabinet refacing?
Typically no—unless the scope includes electrical, plumbing, structural changes or major ventilation work.
What happens next?
1) We reply within 1 business day
2) Quick 15-minute phone consultation
3) On-site visit + clear, itemized estimate
4) No pressure—you decide how to proceed
5) We respect your time and your home.