Planning a kitchen renovation in Toronto and wondering how far to go with the cabinets? The right choice depends on your layout, box condition, and design goals. This guide compares refacing, box replacement with semi-custom cabinetry, and full custom millwork, highlighting the pros, cons, budgets, and timelines, so you can make a confident decision.

First questions to answer

1. Do you like your current layout? If the working triangle and storage work well, refacing or box replacement can be efficient. If traffic jams or appliance moves are required, custom is often best.
2. Are the existing boxes solid? Solid plywood or high‑grade particleboard boxes in good condition are good candidates for refacing. Water damage, sagging shelves, or poor joinery point toward replacement.
3. What finish and style do you want? Shaker, slab, and slim‑shaker remain popular. Wood tones with light paint accents photograph well in Toronto’s natural light.

Option 1: Cabinet refacing

What it is: Keep existing cabinet boxes. Replace doors and drawer fronts, install new soft‑close hinges and drawer glides, add matching end panels, fillers, toe kicks, and a new crown or light rail. Apply a durable veneer or paint to exposed faces.

Pros:

• Least demolition and disruption.
• Fast turnaround and lower cost than full replacement.
• Keeps countertops if you like them.

Consider:

• Does not fix poor box layout or damaged interiors.
• Limited to current cabinet sizes and placements.

Toronto budgets and timelines:

• Typical 10 by 12 kitchen: $7,500 to $18,000 for new doors, hardware, veneers, and panels.
• Timeline: 2 to 5 days on site after materials arrive.

Option 2: Box replacement with semi‑custom cabinetry

What it is: Remove old boxes and install new factory cabinets sized in 3-inch increments with interior organizers, soft‑close hardware, and modern finishes. Minor layout changes like wider drawers or a pantry tower are easy here.

Pros:

• Clean interiors, improved storage, and stronger drawers.
• Faster than full custom with many styles and colors.
• Good value when you want a noticeable upgrade without a full redesign.

Consider:

• Fixed-size increments can require fillers.
• Complex layouts and tight Toronto walls may need custom pieces to finish cleanly.

Toronto budgets and timelines:

• Typical 10 by 12 kitchen: $15,000 to $35,000 for cabinets and standard install, plus counters and trades.
• Timeline: 3 to 8 days on site for cabinet install after rough‑ins.

Option 3: Full custom millwork

What it is: Bespoke cabinets built to exact sizes with premium materials, integrated panels, and any layout you want. Great for maximizing narrow Toronto semis or adding a built‑in banquette or coffee bar.

Pros:

• Perfect fit, minimal fillers, and unique storage solutions.
• Seamless appliance panels and specialty finishes.
• Best for major layout changes or high‑end finishes.

Consider:

• The highest cost and longer lead times.
• Requires thorough design and site coordination.

Toronto budgets and timelines:

• Typical 10 by 12 kitchen: $28,000 to $70,000+ for cabinetry and installation, plus counters and trades.
• Timeline: 2 to 5 weeks on site, depending on the scope, after fabrication.

Storage upgrades that pay off

• Full extension drawers: Replace base cabinets with drawers for pots and pans.
• Pull‑out pantries: Narrow pull‑outs beside the range capture spices and oils.
• Corner solutions: LeMans trays or blind corner pull‑outs prevent dead zones.
• Trash and recycling: Double bins near the sink with soft‑close slides.
• Drawer inserts: Cutlery, knife, and utensil organizers reduce counter clutter.

Finishes, colors, and hardware

• Door styles: Shaker, slim‑shaker, and flat slab stay timeless.
• Colors: Warm whites, soft putty, pale greige, and natural oak pair well with Toronto light.
• Hardware: Bar pulls or tab pulls for modern, classic cup pulls for farmhouse. Keep finishes consistent with faucets and lighting.
• Glass uppers: Ribbed or reeded glass adds texture and hides clutter.

Countertops, lighting, and ventilation

• Counters: Quartz and porcelain slabs are durable and low-maintenance.
• Lighting: Layer ceiling cans with under‑cabinet LEDs and an island pendant. Prewire dimmers and separate zones.
• Ventilation: A quiet range hood that truly vents outside keeps cabinets free of grease and odors.

Permits, trades, and sequencing

• Permits: Most cabinet swaps do not require a building permit unless you move plumbing, electrical, or walls.
• Trades: Plan licensed electrical for new circuits and lighting, plumbing for sink and dishwasher changes, and HVAC for vent routing.
• Sequence: Demo, rough‑ins, floors, cabinets, counters, backsplash, paint, then final fixtures and hardware.

Budgets and timelines at a glance

• Refacing: $7,500 to $18,000. 2 to 5 days on site.
• Semi‑custom replacement: $15,000 to $35,000 for cabinets and installation. 3 to 8 days on site.
• Full custom millwork: $28,000 to $70,000+. 2 to 5 weeks on site, depending on scope.

(Ask us for a firm quote after we confirm layout, door style, finish, organizers, counters, and lighting.)

Avoid these common mistakes

1. Refacing boxes that are water-damaged or out of square.
2. Ordering cabinets before confirming appliance sizes and vent routing.
3. Skipping fillers and end panels, which leaves appliances looking jammed in.
4. Forgetting under‑cabinet lighting wiring during rough‑ins.
5. Choosing high‑gloss finishes that show fingerprints in busy family kitchens.

Helpful companion reads on our site:

• The Toronto Kitchen Remodel Playbook 2025
• Toronto Kitchen Lighting Guide 2025
• Toronto Range Hood & Kitchen Ventilation Guide 2025
• Toronto Countertops 2025: Quartz vs Granite vs Porcelain Slabs

Ready to upgrade your kitchen cabinets?

Contact us today to book a consultation. We will confirm the best approach for your layout and budget, then deliver a clean, durable cabinet makeover.

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com