Cabinet replacement or refacing? Start with what is underneath.

First, separate the fronts from the boxes.

A cabinet has visible parts—doors, drawer fronts and hardware—and a structure that supports them. Refacing generally keeps suitable existing boxes while updating their visible surfaces and fronts. Replacement changes the cabinet units themselves, creating the opportunity to rethink sizes and arrangements.

The distinction matters because a good-looking new door will not fix an awkward cabinet depth or a cupboard that sits in the wrong place. Start by identifying whether your main concern is the appearance of the room or the way the storage works.

Further reading: Home Depot: what cabinet refacing includes

Look for reasons to keep—or rethink—the layout.

Open every cupboard and drawer. Note the ones you love using and the ones you avoid. A corner that swallows cookware, a narrow drawer that fits very little, or a pantry shelf that is difficult to reach can be more useful clues than a design photograph.

If the layout works and the boxes are sound, a conversation about retaining them may be worthwhile. If there is damage, a poorly functioning arrangement or a plan to relocate appliances, discuss replacement and the wider scope before choosing a cosmetic update. A site assessment is the place to establish what can reasonably stay.

Keep the surrounding finishes in view.

Cabinets do not exist in isolation. Countertops, backsplash edges, appliances and floors can all be affected by the work. Ask which items are being kept, which need to be removed and which details remain uncertain. Avoid treating countertop reuse as guaranteed before it has been assessed.

Lay out your ideas as one set of decisions. A new cabinet height could change the backsplash. A different sink base may affect plumbing and countertop cutouts. These connections are easier to resolve on paper than during installation.

Compare proposals on the same basis.

Make a simple list of what each option includes: cabinet units or surface work, doors, drawers, hardware, removal, finishing and any surrounding repairs. Also note selections that have not been finalized. Two proposals with different scopes are difficult to compare by their totals alone.

At the first consultation, bring photos and a list of practical frustrations. You do not need to arrive with every door style selected. The useful question is what combination of work would leave you with a kitchen that feels better to use every day.