Cabinet refacing is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to refresh your home without doing a full remodel, but it still requires the expert touch of true professionals. That’s why, in this article, we’ll compare the Top 5 cabinet refacing companies serving Pennsylvania:
- Kitchen Magic
- Lowe's
- Home Depot
- Raber’s Cabinet Refacing
- Reilly’s Cabinet Re‑Facing
We'll analyze everything, from pricing to craftsmanship to customer service, highlighting where each provider shines - and where they fall short. Whether you're a budget-conscious buyer or the type that won't compromise on quality regardless of the price, this comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed decision.
Top 5 service providers at a glance
Company
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
Price band
|
Best for
|
|
Kitchen Magic
|
- 40+ years specializing in cabinet refacing;
- Lifetime warranty honored;
- Efficient, hassle-free process;
- Premium materials & craftsmanship;
|
- Premium product and process (not the lowest budget option)
- Added scheduling bottlenecks during peak seasons;
- Primarily focus on efficient kitchen & bathroom remodeling
|
Mid-high depending on options
|
Quality-focused homeowners
|
|
Lowe's
|
- Big box convenience;
- Easy & fast consult-to-install process;
- Broad style selection;
- Flexible financing options;
|
- Not a specialist in the refacing field
- Subcontractors (installation experience and quality may vary dramatically);
- (reported) Communication issues between the store and installer;
- (reported) Some quotes nearly as high as full remodel;
|
Mid-high range
|
Basic, fast updates
|
|
Home Depot
|
- Comprehensive service;
- Bundle offers;
- Flexible financing options;
- Professional design help;
- Virtual & in-home consultations;
|
- Big box offering all home services, no specialization.
- (reported) Surprisingly high quotes;
- Subcontractors (installation quality may vary dramatically);
- Upselling tactics;
- Limited personalization options;
|
High
|
Bundled projects
|
|
Raber’s Cabinet Refacing
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- Family-owned workmanship (owners on every job);
- Affordable Quick turnaround (3–5 days);
- Positive HomeAdvisor reviews (5★);
- Responsive service
|
- Services the Pittsburgh region only
- Limited capacity (small crew);
- Not BBB accredited (rated A);
- Fewer customization extras;
|
Medium
|
Budget local jobs
|
|
Reilly’s Cabinet Re‑Facing
|
- Top-notch craftsmanship;
- Meticulous cleanliness on the job;
- Honest communication & on-time completion;
- Can do minor custom adds;
- Cost-efficient (half of big competitors);
|
- Only serves Western PA;
- Limited capacity (small crew);
- Often booked out well in advance;
- No showroom (in-home only);
|
Medium
|
Custom, cost-savvy clients
|
Kitchen Magic: The cabinet refacing pioneer
Founded in 1979 in Allentown, PA, Kitchen Magic is an early pioneer in the refacing space and one of the first companies in Pennsylvania, indeed one of the first companies nationally, to offer cabinet refacing services (est. 1979). Their high-value solutions, quality workmanship and fair prices quickly distinguished them, leading to a rapid rise to prominence by 1984.
Today, they serve homeowners across PA, NJ, NY, CT, and DE, emphasizing turn-key service that takes clients' ideas from conception to completion in a single bound. Whether you're looking for cabinetry refacing or a full remodel, Kitchen Magic is definitely the prime choice.
Pros:
- Experience: Approaching five decades in the industry and around 60,000 finished projects, Kitchen Magic brings industry-topping expertise - and peace of mind - to every project.
- Lifetime warranties: The company backs every project with a “Lifetime of Homeownership” warranty, and some clients reported they honored it even a full decade later.
- Turn-key service: From design to finishing, every aspect of the project is handled in-house - no outsourcing involved whatsoever.
- Efficient process: Customers regularly praise excellent management, timely completion, and superior coordination throughout the project lifecycle.
- Top-tier craftsmanship: Quality and attention to detail are hallmarks of Kitchen Magic, with many projects meeting the highest standards and exceeding expectations.
Cons:
- Premium price point: Kitchen Magic is not a budget option. While refacing is often cheaper than full replacement, premium quality and value rich results do come at a price. Even so, many clients find Kitchen Magic prices to be fair.
- High demand: The company’s popularity can mean a wait for the project start, especially during peak seasons.
- Scope limitations: Kitchen Magic specializes in kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry, and other home spaces. However, major structural or infrastructural changes may require the involvement of a third-party specialist or general contractor.
Lowe's
Established in 1946 and with more than 1,700 stores nationwide, Lowe's is one of the most prominent home improvement retailers in the U.S. In Pennsylvania, their refacing services (sometimes branded "Cabinet Makeover") are available through their Home Services division, which acts as a coordinator while the actual work is done by licensed local contractors.
Pros:
- Convenience: This is Lowe’s main selling point. You can walk in for a free consultation (or do it online), select the cabinet style/finish, and let them handle the rest.
- Efficiency: While there can be some waiting for materials to arrive, once they do, the entire refacing is typically done within a week (3 - 5 days).
- Extensive selection: Lowe’s has a myriad of door styles, finishes, and hardware to choose from. While not fully customizable, you can still mix and match features, ending up with the aesthetics that match your tastes.
- Financing & promotion: As a major retailer, Lowe’s often offers attractive discounts and promotions. In addition, their credit card allows you to pay for the project in several monthly installments, making their services more accessible.
- Warranty: Lowe's offers a 1-year labor warranty and even states that they will "mediate any issues", which is a nice additional layer of protection.
Cons:
- Variable installation quality: Lowe’s subcontracts installation projects to local firms, making the quality of results dependent on “luck of the draw”.
- NOT the cheapest option: Despite being one of the biggest home improvement retailers in the nation, their refacing quotes are often on par with - or higher - than independent contractors.
- Communication gaps: There have been reported cases of miscommunication between the store, installer, and client, which can lead to frustration or key tasks falling through the cracks (e.g., permits or prep work).
- Scheduling issues: While installation itself is very quick, the lead times can be lengthy. Granted, this is more dependent on the local contractor’s schedule, and cases are rare - but they still happen.
- Cost inflation: Typically, Lowe's cabinet refacing covers new doors, drawer fronts, veneers on box exteriors, and new hardware. Anything beyond that raises the costs significantly, even to the point where refacing actually loses its value (as reported by some customers).
Home Depot
Founded in 1978, Home Depot is the biggest home improvement retailer in the U.S., with dozens of stores across Pennsylvania. Their operational model is pretty much the same as Lowe's (or vice versa), where you schedule the service via the store or their website, and they handle the rest through licensed local contractors. The difference is that Home Depot allows "bundling" of different products/services, making it an excellent one-stop shop for whole-kitchen, many faceted updates.
Pros:
- Comprehensive service: The combination of attractive bundles, in-home (or virtual) consultation, and full project coordination makes Home Depot an attractive option for homeowners who want a single-point, turnkey solution.
- Flexible financing options: The company regularly offers special financing (e.g., 12-month no-interest with their credit card), making large projects significantly more manageable.
- Quality materials: While not “premium”, the materials Home Depot uses for refacing (e.g., thermofoil, veneer finishes) are durable and lasting, with many options to choose from.
- Warranty: Like Lowe's, Home Depot offers a 1-year labor warranty and stands ready to address any installation issues, giving clients additional peace of mind.
Cons:
- Surprisingly high quotes: Many consumers report that refacing through HD costs almost the same as full custom cabinetry from independent contractors. Essentially, you’re paying a premium for convenience, which defeats the purpose of refacing - saving money.
- Upselling: Home Depot often quotes refacing bundled with other products/services, which can inflate the price.
- Variable installation quality: Same as with Lowe’s, outsourcing the contracts can result in mixed experiences by customers.
- Scheduling & coordination hiccups: Again, as with Lowe’s, the on-site work is quick. However, the total project times can stretch based on the outsourced contractor’s schedule, measurement errors, or slow supply chains.
- Limited personalization options: While HD offers a solid selection of styles and finishes, customization is limited to what's in their catalog.
Raber's Cabinet Refacing
Founded by Brian and Liz Raber, this small, family-owned and operated business caters to the greater Pittsburgh, PA, area and some parts of Western PA/Ohio. The company offers affordable, personal service with narrow specialization in residential cabinet refacing and kitchen design.
Their main (and unique) advantage is that the owners themselves perform all the work (no subcontractors), so clients can enjoy consistent quality and good communication throughout the project's duration.
Pros:
- Hands-on owners: Refacing work is done by the company owners, who take immense pride in their workmanship, which translates to high quality and accountability.
- Budget-friendly: In their own words, Raber’s tailors its pricing to be “affordable for any budget”. Testimonials back this, as many find them to deliver an excellent quality-to-price ratio.
- Efficient installation: For Raber’s, the average project time is 3-5 days, putting them on par with the larger companies, despite the smaller crew.
- Superb communication: Since you communicate directly with the owners - no middleman. You call Brian or Liz and get the answers you need.
- Excellent reviews: The company features 5-star reviews on Home Advisor and Angie's List. While not BBB-accredited, they still hold an A rating with no (known) complaints.
Cons:
- Limited reach: The company only serves the Pittsburgh area and parts of Western PA. If you live outside this zone, chances are you won’t be able to hire them.
- Small operation constraints: Since they are essentially a two-person team, Raber’s can only handle one major project at a time, so a customer may need to wait a long time for their turn.
- Limited infrastructure: No showroom or extensive website means the clients must rely on consultations and online photos for info or scheduling. Granted, this is a minor con, but it affects convenience.
- Not BBB-accredited: Again, a minor point, but it could cause concerns for cautious clients who insist on dealing with accredited businesses only.
Reilly's Cabinet Re‑Facing
Established 2010 in Rochester, PA, by James Reilly - and still operated by him to this day - Reilly's is essentially a one-man operation. Despite that, the company is BBB accredited with an A+ rating (since 2016), which is an impressive feat even for major businesses, let alone a single operator.
Reilly's specializes exclusively in cabinet refacing (and minor modifications), and has built its name by delivering top-tier craftsmanship at exceptional value. Customers can count on James' decades of carpentry knowledge, bespoke solutions, personal support, and all the perks that come with it.
Pros:
- Master craftsmanship: Reilly’s is consistently praised for exceptional workmanship, with clients claiming that he “exceeded our expectations” and that “his pride in his work really shows”.
- Hands-on service: As a sole proprietor, James is the one planning and executing the entire project, with customers noting he’s “professional, personable”, as well as punctual.
- Respectful of clients’ homes: Many reviews emphasize just how neat, clean, and considerate James is during the job, which translates to a much more enjoyable experience for the client.
- Cost-effective: Reilly's services often come in considerably less expensive than big companies. Yet quality isn't sacrificed. In fact, many feel like they got more bang for their buck than they could've gotten anywhere else.
Cons:
- Scheduling issues: Since Reilley’s is essentially only James (or at times an assistant), booking a project may require patience.
- Limited reach: Reilley’s service area is confined to the Pittsburgh region, and it does not appear there are plans to expand beyond that territory.
- No big-player perks: As a small business, Reilley's doesn't offer financing plans, long-lasting warranties, or a showroom full of samples.
The Verdict: Which company is the best for you?
While every company on this list has its strengths and weaknesses, the main takeaway is that they all excel in different niches:
- Kitchen Magic offers the most longevity, decades of expertise and service with the largest coverage area for a family-owned business, making them ideal for homeowners who don’t want to compromise on quality or the personalized attention of a family-owned business.
- Lowe’s & Home Depot offer one-stop shop convenience at a slightly higher price point, making them an excellent choice for quick, standard makeovers without many customizations required.
- Rabers Cabinet Refacing is excellent if you want your cabinets refaced fast, at an affordable price, and with highly personalized attention.
- Reilly’s Cabinet Re‑Facing delivers master craftsmanship at a fraction of the price of bigger companies, making it a top choice for those who don’t mind a longer wait.
All in all, you should make the decision based on your priorities in terms of budget, timeline, and most importantly, the desired level of quality.
If you decide to go with Kitchen Magic, you're setting yourself up for premium service and a high-end cabinetry refacing experience, guaranteed to elevate your home and life. We offer a broad range of cabinets for you to choose from - or you can have us design and craft elements that are 100% unique to your style. Reach out to us today and let's get started!