Cabinet refacing in Mountain View, CA

Is refacing right for your kitchen?

It fits when the boxes are dry, square and solidly attached and the layout already works. Water damage under the sink, sagging shelves or plans to move appliances point toward replacement instead.

What changes and what stays

The installer covers the face frames and end panels with veneer or laminate, then hangs new doors and fronts with new hinges and pulls. Drawer boxes can be swapped for new ones with better slides. Counters and plumbing generally stay put.

Pairing with other updates

Refacing combines well with new countertops, a backsplash and lighting. If any of that adds outlets or circuits, the electrical part needs a permit even though the refacing does not.

Terms on the quote

Veneer: a thin layer of real wood applied to the box surfaces. Rigid thermofoil: a vinyl film pressed onto doors. Overlay: how far a door covers the frame. Concealed hinge: a hinge mounted inside the cabinet, out of sight. Pulls and knobs: the handles, usually priced per piece.

Permits in Mountain View

Mountain View requires a building permit, issued before construction starts, for any kitchen remodel that replaces the cabinets. Replacing countertops or refacing the existing cabinets does not need one.
Depending on the scope, separate electrical or plumbing permits may apply, and replacing a range hood that vents outdoors needs a mechanical permit. The application includes an 11-by-17-inch plan of the existing and proposed kitchen and an electrical load calculation.
If the remodel changes the outside of the house, the Planning Division reviews it before the building submittal. The City lists about 5 business days to receive a permit for a like-for-like replacement and 2 to 3 months for a renovation that removes walls.

City of Mountain View Building Division · 500 Castro Street, (650) 903-6313

Common questions

Does refacing need a permit in Mountain View?

The City says refacing existing cabinets does not require a permit. Electrical or plumbing work done at the same time can.

Can refacing change the cabinet style completely?

Yes. Doors, fronts and veneer are all new, so the finish and door style can change. The box layout and sizes stay the same.