The business in one offer
Who it serves
Homeowners with dated but structurally sound kitchens who want a fresh look before selling or after buying a house and who do not want to lose their kitchen for weeks. They pay for a faster, less disruptive job than full replacement.
What to sell first
A refacing package for a kitchen of up to 25 doors and drawers: new shaker doors and drawer fronts in a choice of four painted or wood finishes, wood veneer applied to face frames and exposed ends, soft-close hinges and new pulls. Excluded: countertops, plumbing, electrical, new boxes, layout changes and repairs to water-damaged cabinets.
Four finish options with one door style simplify supplier orders and quotes. The job is mostly on-site work over a few days, so the homeowner keeps a usable kitchen, which is the main reason buyers choose refacing.
What could it cost to start?
This is an original example budget for the limited pilot described above. It is not a researched market average or a complete quote for every location.
| Item to price | Example allowance |
|---|---|
| Veneer, contact adhesive and edge tools for first job | $350.00 |
| Hinge boring jig and drill bits | $200.00 |
| Sample door set in four finishes | $300.00 |
| Dust containment and floor protection supplies | $150.00 |
| General liability insurance quote allowance | $700.00 |
| Lead-safe certification course allowance | $300.00 |
| Example total | $2,000.00 |
What this assumes—and excludes
Assumes you own a vehicle that fits doors, standard carpentry and finishing tools, and have installation experience. Excludes shop rent, owner pay, contractor license fees, which vary by state, and paid advertising. Check whether your state or city requires a contractor or home improvement license, and get local insurance quotes.
Collect actual supplier, insurance and local-authority information. Add a reserve for delays and unexpected costs; the example total is not a funding recommendation.
How the unit economics work
At an assumed $7,500.00 per kitchen job and $3,200.00 in direct costs, contribution is $4,300.00 before monthly fixed costs, owner pay and taxes. With 50 all-in working hours per unit, that is $86.00 per delivery hour before those deductions. These inputs illustrate the arithmetic; they do not establish a market price or expected earnings.
The example also allows $220.00 in monthly fixed costs. Include unpaid acquisition and administrative time when deciding whether the offer is worthwhile.
Try your own numbers
These are editable planning assumptions, not prices we have verified. Calculations stay in your browser.
Operating result = (price − direct cost) × units − monthly fixed costs. Before owner pay, taxes, financing and startup recovery. At these inputs, delivery requires 500 hours per month, plus any work not included in your per-unit estimate. Sales volume is a scenario, not a forecast.
How to find the first customers
Test a small offer before scaling traffic. Record the source of each enquiry, whether it fits the offer, and whether the buyer pays.
- Bring a sample door set and a veneer sample board to every estimate, so homeowners can see and touch the finishes rather than choosing from photos.
- Ask real estate agents who list older homes whether sellers want quick kitchen updates, and give them a one-page sheet showing what is and is not included.
- Ask each customer to let you photograph the kitchen before and after, and show the photos with the job's actual scope and duration.
- Partner with a countertop installer who does not do cabinets, and agree on a disclosed referral arrangement for kitchens that need both.
What to validate before spending more
- Ask your state and city whether refacing work requires a contractor or home improvement license and whether a permit is ever needed for this scope.
- For homes built before 1978, check EPA lead-safe rules before sanding or removing painted surfaces, and get certified if they apply to your work.
- Get written quotes and lead times from two door suppliers, and order one test set to check finish quality and sizing before your first paid job.
- Do one kitchen for a friend or family member at cost and time every step, including veneer prep and hinge adjustment.
The operational catch
Homeowners sometimes hide or do not notice water damage, sagging shelves or out-of-square boxes, especially under the sink. Veneer and new doors on damaged boxes fail early and make you look responsible. Inspect every box at the estimate, note problems in writing, and decline or quote box repairs separately.
A practical way to fund the first step
Take a deposit large enough to cover the door order at signing, usually around half the job, with the balance at completion. Buy doors from a supplier at first rather than tooling up a door shop, and use cash flow from early jobs for better tools.
Separate cash already available from money still to earn. Count only proceeds after direct expenses, and do not spend customer funds needed to fulfill their existing orders.
Questions before you start
How long does a refacing job take?
On-site work for a small to mid-size kitchen often takes three to five days once doors arrive. Supplier lead times add more, so explain both parts of the schedule at the estimate.
Can I reface painted cabinets?
Usually, with proper cleaning and scuff sanding before veneer goes on. Test the old finish for adhesion, and in older homes check lead rules before you sand anything.
Should I paint cabinets instead?
Painting is cheaper but keeps old door styles and hinges. Some refacers offer both, priced separately. Make sure buyers understand the difference so they choose with clear expectations.
Source-backed checks
These references support the specific checks below. They do not endorse this business idea or substantiate the example prices, costs or demand.
EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program requires firms doing work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 homes to be certified and follow lead-safe practices. EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program.
OSHA's Hazard Communication standard requires employers with hazardous chemicals to have labels and safety data sheets for exposed workers and to train them to handle the chemicals. OSHA: Hazard Communication.
SBA explains that businesses may need federal, state and local licenses and permits depending on their activity and location. U.S. Small Business Administration: Apply for licenses and permits.
- Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting ProgramEPA · Reference checked September 8, 2026
- Hazard CommunicationOSHA · Reference checked September 8, 2026
- Apply for licenses and permitsU.S. Small Business Administration · Reference checked September 8, 2026
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